Town of Groton

Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes

June 10, 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 and the selectmen’s meeting minutes of June 3, 2008 to the audience.

 

Mike made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.

 

Mike gave a summary of the response from the Town’s attorney concerning their decision to deny the Circle Program’s building permit and require them to go before the ZBA for a special exception and the Planning Board for site plan review.  In reliance upon the building permit issued in 2002, the Circle Program has incurred $89,000 in hard costs as well as soft costs in the estimated amount of $118,500 to prepare the property for the activities building. Substantial construction and liabilities have been incurred such that the program’s right to complete construction based upon the earlier permit have vested. Rich made a motion to reverse their earlier decision, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted. After further discussion, the Board does not believe that Circle Program needed to apply for a new permit. They can continue the final stage of their original project based upon the 2002 permit and vested rights.

 

Mike asked Chief White to introduce their new part time police officer. Chief White introduced E.J. Thompson. Officer Thompson is the currently the Police Chief for Bridgewater. He has been there for 4 years and has a total of 17 years experience. He will be working some part time hours in Groton as a patrol officer.

 

Pam read the warrant article from 2005 which established the Parks and Recreation Revolving Fund. The article did not specify any limitations to the use of the monies, but Mike explained that Anne Tobine had gone to a seminar to learn about the uses allowed with that fund. He said Mrs. Tobine would be happy to get together with the Board in order to answer any questions.

 

Each member of the Board was able to review the applications for police chief. Mike shared his concern that some of the applicants might not have a good understanding of our community size, location, etc. Rich would like the Board to make a preliminary phone call to each applicant. Michelle is willing to make these calls. Mike made a motion to have Michelle call each applicant, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.

 

Mike made a motion to table the Engel Intent to Cut for Map 1 Lot 12 as the acreage amount to be cut was not filled in, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.

 

The Board discussed Dillon’s intent to cut. Pam explained that the property is no longer owned by Dillon, but they have retained the timber harvesting rights until March of 2010. Normally, the town has the right to lien a property for outstanding timber taxes. In this case, if Dillon chose to not pay, the town would not be able to lien the property. Mike made a motion to table signing the Dillon Intent to Cut for Map 5 Lot 164 until the procedure for tax collection in this kind of situation is known, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.

 

Mike made a motion to sign the Hall Intent to Cut for Map 8 Lot 1, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.

 

Mike made a motion to sign the GreenAcre Woodlands Intent to Cut for Map 9 Lot 2, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.

 

Mike made a motion to sign the Timbervest Intent to Cut for Map 4 Lot 1, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.

 

Mike made a motion to sign the Ethier Intent to Excavate for Map 5 Lot 47 GP, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.

 

Michelle made a motion to allow the insurance company to settle the claim from the March accident involving the town truck, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.

 

Steve Lindsey asked the Board to reconsider their decision to move all the file boxes that were brought up from the town garage a few weeks ago back down to the garage. He believes these files should be gone through, keeping those records required by law, disposing of any unnecessary ones. He feels that to return them to the garage is against the law as they will not be easily accessible to the public. Mr. Lindsey gave the Board several printouts of NH law regarding the keeping and storing of files. The Board expressed concerned that not all of those records are for public viewing. In the garage, the files would be secure, and if someone was looking for something in particular, the administrative assistant would be able to look for it. The Board said there is no secure place in this building to keep the files. Mr. Lindsey feels that if all the files are gone through and organized, the non public information could be stored in the office and the remainder could be stored in the basement. He is willing to give a hand going through files. He is not willing to help return them to the garage. There was more discussion about preparing a place in the Town House basement for storing the public information. The Board was concerned about the water problem the Town House basement has had in the past. The perimeter drain was redone last year and there was no water in the basement this past spring. Mike asked if anyone was willing to donate time and money for palates or shelving for the files. Mike made a motion to table this issue until they have a work session, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.

 

Mike made a motion to table the lease contract for the 2008 Expedition until the town attorney has had an opportunity to review it, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, for voted.

 

Mike made a motion to wait until a work session to review the choices available for a mail box, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.

 

Mike made motion to table the Ellis/Wallace building permit until the Planning Board has an opportunity to comment on it, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.

 

Mike made a motion to table signing the septic design for Jordon until the map and lot number is corrected, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.

 

Rich made a motion to have the Conservation Commission review the Truelson building permit in order to confirm that it meets the 50ft setback from Halls Brook, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted.

 

Mike read a letter from Suzanne Wall of Andover Geologic which indicates that the state will accept the Town’s request to reduce the number of gas and water tests needed at the landfill each year. The Town is still waiting for official confirmation from the state.

 

The Administrative Assistant explained that some incorrect reporting of payroll funds to the New Hampshire Retirement System in 2004 and 2006 has resulted in a refund of $299.06.

 

Mike read the proper way to display the Flag when it is displayed vertically against a wall. The union should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right, that is, to the observer’s left. The Flag hanging inside the Town House will need to be turned.

 

The Cemetery Trustees would like to set up a work session with the Board of Selectmen. They will try to schedule it for Tuesday, June 17, at 6:00pm.

 

Questions and Comments were taken from the audience

 

Mike made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:29pm, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Pamela Hamel,

Administrative Assistant