Town of Groton
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes (Amended)
April 22, 2008
7:00pm
In Attendance: Michael Brogna, Michelle Clark, Richard O’Connor, Pamela Hamel (Administration Assistant)
Audience Members Present
Mike read the appointments and announcements to the audience.
Dave Godbout from the Spectacle Pond Associate addressed the audience. He briefly went over the history, logistics, use, and current status of the pond. There are approximately 20 Groton properties on the pond, and 50% of its shoreline is protected from future development. In the mid 1800’s a dam and dike were constructed to raise the water level. There is also a spillway. Both dam and dike are privately owned, however the owner has no property on the pond and does not benefit from flowage rights. The dike is in very poor condition with serious leaks and the spillway is also in need of work. The water level drops 1” per day. The SPA was formed in 2005 to work with the owner to correct the leaks. Dam and dike were inspected in 2007 and must now pass 2 ½ times the 100 year flood rate set by the state. Owner does not have the funds to repair the dike and is currently in negotiations to transfer ownership to the SPA. The SPA is looking to raise $70,000-$100,000 to do the work. The State has given some deadlines to submit permits and begin construction. The SPA is hoping to get extensions on these. They would like support from the town in the form of a letter to the state outlining the benefits of the pond to the community: recreation, wildlife, tourism, tax base, etc. Mike wanted to know how quickly they would need a letter of support. Dave will be getting back to the town as they continue their negotiations with the owner and move forward.
Mike Vien from Avitar addressed the audience. He is the field worker for this area. Mike is currently working on 2007 new construction followed by data verification. For the data verification, 25% of the properties in town will be visited. They will be sending out letters first in the hopes of making appointments. They will also be leaving cards at the door. Mike then explained the training an assessor must finish before they are in the field alone. The first 5 years all he did was do measurements and take classes in ordered to become state certified. This certification must be kept up with occasional classes and training sessions. Mike then took questions and comments from the audience. He tries to get into as many homes as homeowners allow.
Mike read the minutes of 04-15-08 to the audience. The minutes were amended to include a motion made, seconded, and passed for start and stop times on all time sheets, a change from culvert to outlet pipe for perimeter drain on the last page, and a change from Representative Reynolds to Senator Reynolds. Mike made a motion to accept the minutes as amended, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Rich made a motion to sign the Hesselton letter concerning the redeeming of their property, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
The Board reviewed the response from attorney Spector concerning the Leone building permits request. Based upon the attorney’s response, Mike felt that these cabins would not be an expansion of use. Rich wanted to know if the attorney was certain that these sites were pre-existing. They looked at the approved septic design showing the sites. Dave submitted some papers showing his state approvals for subdivision, construction and operation. These papers also included the definition for a site: “Recreational campground or camping park means a parcel of land on which 5 or more campsites are occupied or are intended for temporary occupancy for recreational dwelling purposes only…” He has approval for 18 tents sites and 16 3-way hookup sites. Based upon the attorney’s response, Mike felt that these cabins would not be an expansion of use. Mike asked if Dave would be willing to sign something stating that he would not be increasing the number of sites so the town could have some paperwork on it. Dave said he would. Chuck brought up a concern about whether the structures were approved by the planning board prior to zoning. He said the ZBA has heard one case dealing with a shed built at Palermo Mines as a storage facility. This shed was not an expansion of the use per say, but it was determined that because it was a permanent structure, it required a special exception. Even though it was not in the plan for that site, it did not represent a change of use or expansion of use for that site. It was a new structure on an existing commercial property. Michelle asked Chuck that if the Leones had to go before the ZBA, is there any reason why they would be denied. Chuck said he could not speak for the zoning board, however, considering the master plan, the use, and the traffic involved, based upon his 30 experience in zoning, he did not see anything objectionable to it. Chuck’s concern is that they are permanent structures and whether there are plans that showed these sites? Jackie Brogna said she saw the plans at the original planning board meeting and they did include cabins. After more discussion, Michelle asked that Chuck write up his concerns in order for the Board to submit them to the attorney for review so that they can make a decision by next week. Rich’s concern is that these site plan approvals are for septic purposes. Dave pointed out that the state subdivision approval is for a campground. Michelle made a motion to have Chuck draw up a letter of his concerns that will be forwarded to the attorney so they can get an answer back by next week, Rich 2nd, so voted, Mike abstaining.
Concerning HB 1429, although both Rich and Michelle believe the passage of this bill could cost Groton taxpayers more for trucking their waste, they are also concerned about the rights of the town of Bethlehem. Mike Viani from Casella Waste asked to be able to address that concern. He said that landfills are heavily regulated by DES. The bill would give Bethlehem more rights but he believes it is because some people want to see them shut down. There is currently some question as to whether the majority of the voters in Bethlehem are in favor of the bill. At town meeting this year, they soundly defeated an ordinance that would have adversely affected Casella Waste Management, and voted in 2 new selectmen who ran on a platform to cease all hostilities with Casella and create a good working relationship with them. Michelle said her concern is to do what is best for Groton taxpayers. Mike made a motion to sign the letter of opposition to HB1429, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Rich made a motion to sign the building permit for Jordon, Michelle, 2nd, all in favor so voted.
Rich made a motion to sign the building permit for Thompson, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Rich made a motion to sign the Report of Cut for Green Acre Woodlands, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Lewis Albert expressed some concerns about the shimming of North Groton Road. He believes that no money was raised for the prep work, and he feels that shimming is a waste of the town’s money. Mike said the warrant article for shimming was passed, and it reads “for the preparation and shimming of North Groton Road.” He explained that the Board will be getting together with the Road Agent to do research into what will be necessary to get the road repaired the correct way. They are hoping to have something to present to the town at the next town meeting. Also, they will be discussing what area of North Groton Road to work on this year.
Committee updates were given. Bonnie Lane submitted a request from the GRC for money to be taken from their revolving account for the purchase of a gas grill to be used at their activities. Rich made a motion to grant the GRC money for a grill, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Michelle wanted to know why all the Board members were not informed of the accident with the town truck during the last storm. They would like to set up a work session with the road agent in order to develop communications. Currently, the Board is waiting for a written response from the insurance company.
The board clarified that the police department will still be a full time department even if they do not hire a full time chief. If they go with all part time officers and a part time chief, they would have the same, and perhaps even more man hours for patrol because they wouldn’t have to pay insurance or retirement. Mike said that Chief White had cautioned them that sometimes scheduling of hours can be difficult when there are only part time officers.
Dave asked about the refrigerators that he saw on a trailer at the Town Garage. Those were taken to Central Metal for disposal.
Mike made a motion to adjourn at 9:30pm, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Hamel
Administrative Assistant