Town of Groton
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
April 29, 2008
7:00pm
In Attendance: Michael Brogna, Michelle Clark, Richard O’Connor, Pamela Hamel (Administration Assistant)
Audience Members Present
Mike called the meeting to order at 7:02pm, read the appointments and minutes of 04-22-08 to the audience. The minutes were amended to include an adjourning time of 9:30pm. Mike made a motion to accept the minutes as amended, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
The Board looked at the amended Report of Cut for Daniel Plumer. His numbers were verified by Jesse Bushaw from the DRA with one small change. Mr. Plumer again asked that the Board reconsider the doomage charge. He explained that all of this was new for him, he did not realize that he had the original paperwork in his possession, and had thought that the logger had taken care of it. He stressed that as soon as he became aware of the situation, he was careful to work with the Board in a timely fashion to get everything resolved. Rich and Michelle were in favor of abating the doomage fee. Mike explained that the owner’s responsibilities are clearly laid out on all the paperwork. Pam explained that Mr. Plumer would have to pay the doomage and file for an abatement in writing. Mike made a motion to sign the Amended Report of Cut for Plumer and abate the doomage charge once the tax has been paid and the paperwork filed, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike explained that the town had received a response from the attorney dealing with the concerns raised at last week’s meeting about the Leone request for building permits. Based upon that response, the Board feels the Leones need to go to the Zoning Board for a Special Exception and the Planning Board for site plan review because the 5 camps are considered an expansion. It is the Board’s understanding that the camp built last year is for personal use, but if the Leones plan to rent it out, then it must also be included in the application for Special Exception. Mr. Leone asked for Mike to repeat what he said and/or give it to them in writing. Mike made a motion to respond in writing without conveying the actual verbage from the town attorney, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted. Pam will write something up and submit it to the Board for review. Mr. Leone wanted clarification that the building size requiring a permit for construction is anything over 100 square feet. Mike said that for a residential property that is correct. Michelle said for commercial use, the zoning ordinance says ‘any structure’. For the record, Mrs. Leone wanted it known that she totally disagrees that they are calling it an expansion. Mike made a motion to deny the Leone building permits, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
The Board reviewed the DRA’s response to their questions concerning the redeeming of a tax deeded property. Mr. Hesselton has not requested in writing that the 15% penalty be abated. The Board feels they have already made a decision to charge the penalty. Mr. Hesselton can file for an abatement if he so chooses. Mike made a motion to table the DRA response, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike read a letter from Dave Godbout of the Spectacle Pond Association thanking them for the opportunity to address the Board and town’s people.
Mike asked Glen Hansen if the highway department was charged when he repaired the trench at the Town House. Mike wanted to know why he didn’t come back as the contractor who had done the work to take care of the settling. Mr. Hansen said he came back in October to grade it. There was no stipulation in the contract for the work to be under warranty. None of the bids included a warranty, and the town did not ask for one. He normally gives a 90 day warranty for his work, and he did come back in October to grade the area and it looked good then. This latest repair took him about 1 ½ hours to do, and he used materials that were left over from last year.
Mike read the 2007 equalization results to the audience. Our tax rate will be based in part on this number.
Mike made a motion to sign the Ford Credit Application, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted. The new police cruiser has been ordered. Once the credit application is processed, a contract will be drawn up for the Board to review and sign.
Mike made a motion to sign the Report of Cut Reminder letters, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted. These are courtesy letters that are sent to all those who have filed an intent to cut but have not yet filed their report of cut. Reports are due May 15. For future reminder letters, the Board has given the Administrative Assistant the authority to sign them and let the Board know that they have been sent out.
Mike read a letter from North Country Council requesting that the town appoint 2 commissioners to the council. This is a volunteer position. The council meets in Bethlehem. Chuck Stata wanted to know if the town might be better served if they belonged to a more local council. Michelle asked him to look into it. The request for 2 commissioners will be passed along to the Planning Board and Conservation Commission.
The Board reviewed the Longyear Historical Society’s charity exemption paperwork. There is a question about the ownership of Map 2, Lot 24. Pam will be researching this.
Mike made a motion to sign the letter to Avitar concerning NEPC, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Chuck requested a work session with the Board. It was arranged for Tuesday, May 6 at 6:00pm. Purpose of the meeting is to update the Board with what he is working on as Health Officer.
Mike made a motion to go into non public session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 (e) at 8:17pm, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted
Mike made a motion to return to public session at 8:47pm, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to seal the non public minutes, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Chief White went over a few things with the Board. They discussed Officer Pivirotto’s upcoming certification test, the ad for a Police Chief, the status on the new cruiser, and getting the go ahead to purchase the new computer. It was clarified that although the warrant article for a new computer was voted down at town meeting, it was under the stipulation that the police would have enough money in their budget to purchase one because they would not be using all the money set aside for Explorer repairs.
Mike made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:57pm, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Hamel
Administrative Assistant