Town of Groton

Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes

March 18, 2008

In Attendance:  Michael Brogna, Michelle Clark, Richard O’Connor, Pamela Hamel (Administrative Assistant)

Audience Members Present

Mike called the meeting to order at 6:02pm. The first order of business was to appoint a chair for the Board.

Rich nominated Mike for the position, Michelle 2^nd, so voted, Mike abstaining.

Mike laid a few ground rules for how the meeting would be conducted. He explained that this meeting is for the Board to discuss the matters brought before them. Mike said that he likes to hear from the town’s people thus he will give the floor to those who wish to comment on the subject matter.  However, he made it clear that he is the one who will give someone the floor and at anytime he can take it away if he feels it is necessary.

Mike read the upcoming appointments.  Former selectman Dave Leone had asked for an appointment so Mike gave him the floor. Mr. Leone said he had a letter to read to the Board of Selectmen concerning complaints he has made to the Police Department concerning another resident.  At this time he mentioned the resident’s name.  Mike asked him to stop and asked whether or not he was going to continue to mention names. Mr. Leone said he was not going to mention names. Mike then said he could continue. Mr. Leone then began to list off a number of things he claimed said resident to have done.  Mike asked him to stop. Mr. Leone would not even though Mike told him he was taking the floor from him. Mr. Leone responded that he had been given the floor.  Mike asked him to leave the meeting but he did not. Mike left the room to see if Officer Pivirotto was here.  Mr. Leone continued to read from his letter. Mike returned and stood in front of Mr. Leone and repeatedly asked him to leave.  The audience was shaken. Shirley Leone went up front followed by Miles Sinclair. Mike continued to ask Mr. Leone to leave but he would not. Instead, he continued reading in a louder voice. When he finished reading, he handed the Board a file of papers including the letter that he had just read and he walked out.  He returned moments later to get a lamp that he had left here last week.

Mike then spent several minutes going over what the proper protocol for these meetings should be, and that he will not tolerate that kind of behavior. As chair, he has the right to give the floor and take it from any member of the audience. If Mr. Leone had a complaint involving another resident and the police, if should be handled it in a private session.  He continued to stress that that kind of behavior will not be tolerated in his meetings. 

Mike read the minutes of 03-04-08 to the audience. Rich made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Mike 2^nd, so voted with Michelle abstaining as she was not at that meeting.

Mike turned the floor over to Town Clerk Joyce Tolman for the swearing in of officers. Several newly elected officials took the oath of office.

Mike made a motion to table the Daniel Plumer report of cut until next week when Mr. Plumer can be at the meeting, Rich 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Mike made a motion to table the Rumney EMS/Fire Contract signing until next week, Rich 2^nd, all in favor, so voted. The Board will review the contract during the week.

Mike made a motion to table the Kennedy Report of Cut until they hear back from the State Timber Tax Appraiser, Jesse Bushaw, Michelle 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Mike made a motion to sign the Conservation Commission’s Forest Legacy Letter, Michelle 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Mike asked the Administrative Assistant to call all those who received write in votes, Rich 2^nd, all in favor so voted. The Board will review the list of those willing to accept the positions and announce the winners next week.

Mike made a motion to set up a work session with all Department Heads and town employees, and any residents who are on committees who would like to attend, Rich 2^nd, all in favor, so voted. Pam will try to arrange the meeting for Monday, March 24 at noon or 1:00pm.

Mike made a motion to sign the NHEC abatement denial letter, Michelle 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Both Rich and Michelle do not favor offering a quote for sanding Bailey Hill Road from the turn around to the top. They stated the condition of the road, age of the truck, and man hours as reasons. Michelle made a motion to deny the request for a quote for sanding Bailey Hill Road, Rich 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Jimmy Albert suggested that the Board trade the Ford F350 for a 550.  Mike said he would want to be sure that was the desire of the residents of Groton. Glen was asked to get some numbers together for consideration.

Mike made a motion to table the bids for a plowing backup and look for a solution for next year, Rich 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Mike made a motion to sign the Meredith Village Savings Bank signature change card, Rich 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

The Board reviewed the MS 2. Rich made a motion to sign the MS 2, Michelle 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Mike made a motion to appoint Michelle as liaison to the Planning Board, Rich 2^nd, so voted.

Questions and comments were taken from the audience.

It was pointed out that there was a typo in the reporting of the minutes of lasts year’s Town Meeting concerning Article 19.  The Board of Selectmen did recommend that article. The Board requested that Pam find out who is responsible to verify Town Meeting Minutes.

The earlier incident with Mr. Leone was brought up again, and the question of how a complaint should be handled.  A complaint against the Police department should be in writing and handed to the Board so they can deal with it.  A dispute between neighbors should be handled by the Police Department, not the Board of Selectmen.

Mike made a motion to go into non public session per RSA 91-A: 3, II (c) at 7:41pm, Michelle 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Mike made a motion to go back into public session at 8:01pm, Michelle 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Mike made a motion to seal the minutes of the non public session, Rich 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Mike made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:05pm, Michelle 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Respectfully submitted, Pamela Hamel, Administrative Assistant