Town of Groton

Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes

June 3, 2008

7:00pm

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

Audience Members Present

Mike called the meeting to order at 7:00pm and read the appointments, announcements, and the selectmen’s meeting minutes of May 27, 2008 to the audience.

Mike made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Rich 2^nd, so voted, Michelle abstaining as she was not present at last week’s meeting.

Barry Gaw was here representing the Circle Program. He is asking the Board to reconsider their decision to have the Circle Program go to the ZBA for a special exception. Mr. Gaw presented the Board with the original building permit which includes the building in question, explained the physical work that had already been accomplished, and the finances that had been previously invested in the project.  Mike made a motion to consult legal council on the following items:

· Since the Board already made a ruling, is the only recourse for the Circle Program to appeal the decision to the ZBA?

· Can the building permit be rescinded and the work continue based upon the original permit?

· Is the physical work and dollar amount invested in the project to date and under the original permit enough for it to be considered vested thus allowing the work to continue under the original permit.?

Michelle 2^nd this motion, all in favor, so voted.

The Board discussed their decision to not allow Kevin Hesselton to redeem his property by making one large down payment followed by monthly installments.  Michelle pointed out that they could consider that approach as the property would still be owned by the Town until it was paid in full.  Pam informed that Board that Mr. Hesselton has sent a bank check for the total.

Rich made a motion to sign the Intent to Cut for Upper Birch Holdings, Michelle 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Mike read a reply to Jackie Brogna’s question about the need to secure a building permit if they replace the existing trailer with a different one. Since the trailer would be considered new to the property, a permit is required.

Mike read an update from the GRC. They outlined 4 projects and had 5 requests for funds from the Playground Capital Reserve Fund.

• Project one is the footings needed for the Shade Hut
• Project two is the gravel for the Shade Hut floor
• Project three is sand to put around the playground equipment
• Project four is reclaimed crushed asphalt for a walkway
• Request to reimburse fuel costs incurred by volunteers who use their own equipment

Mike made a motion to grant the GRC permission to use money from their Capital Reserve Fund to pay for the concrete needed for the shade hut footings, Michelle 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Mike made a motion to grant the GRC permission to use money from their Capital Reserve Fund to pay for the gravel needed for the floor of the shade hut, Michelle 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Rich made a motion to grant the GRC’s request to put out to bid projects 3 & 4, Michelle 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Mike made a motion that the GRC be allowed to reimburse the fuel costs volunteers incur with the use of their equipment, and that the money be taken from the Playground Capital Reserve Fund, Michelle 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Bonnie Lane gave an update on the upcoming dance sponsored by the GRC. The dance will take place on Saturday, June 28. Cost is $5 per adult, $8 per couple, children 16 and under are free. There will be raffles and food.

The Board asked Pam to see if the Town Clerk and Deputy Clerk would be available for a work session on Friday, June 6 at 7pm.

A work session was set up for Friday, June 20 to discuss the current fee schedule and building permit.

Each member of the Board will take time during the week to review the police chief applications that have been submitted. Discussing the next step will be on next week’s agenda.

Mike made a motion to have all the files that were brought up from the town garage taken back, Michelle 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Michelle made a motion to have Steve Lindsey be the one member of the Planning Board have a key and security code to be able to come into the Town House, Rich 2^nd, all in favor, so voted. Normally the chairman of each board has a key and code. The Planning Board chairman did not want them.

The Board will look into a fire escape for the upstairs offices.

Questions and Comments were taken from the audience

Mike made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:20pm, Michelle 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Respectfully submitted,

Pamela Hamel,

Administrative Assistant