Town of Groton
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
July 1, 2008
7:00pm
In Attendance: Michael Brogna, Richard O’Connor, Pamela Hamel (Administrative Assistant)
Absent: Michelle Clark
Audience Members Present
Mike called the meeting to order at 7:04pm and read a letter from Selectperson Clark explaining why she has been unable to attend the last 3 selectmen’s meetings. She also apologized to the GRC for being unable to show her support for them by attending the dance.
Mike read the minutes of June 24, 2008 to the audience.
Mike made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike read the appointments and announcements to the audience. He then introduced Boyd Smith, Director of the Newfound Lakes Region Association. Mr. Smith was here to keep the Board and Town up to date on the Newfound Watershed Master Plan which they have been working on. He left several draft copies with the town, along with several informational brochures explaining the importance of having a master plan for this watershed. Once the plan is finished, it will be available to all municipalities in the watershed to use as a tool kit for planning purposes. It will include sound scientific data that the town could use to base policy on. Because there have been several concerns about the logging operations in Groton and other towns, the NFLRA has been working with the NH Timberland Association. Mr. Boyd then took questions and comments from the audience.
Chuck Stata announced that the Zoning Board will be having an informational meeting with Alan Barnard who represents Maxam. Maxam is looking to build a satellite office off of Hardy Country Road. This is a preliminary meeting; they have not yet applied to the Zoning Board for a special exception.
Mike made a motion to sign the Intent to Cut for Bardsley, Map 10 Lot 4, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to sign the 1-2-3 Lock-Key Security yearly maintenance contract, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Moderator Miles Sinclair requested that the Board allow him to continue to select the ballot clerks until his term ends in 2010. Rich made a motion to allow Miles Sinclair to select the ballot clerks and set their budget, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Rich made a motion to sign the 2007 abatement denials, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted. Abatements were denied for Kennedy and Bogue.
Mike made a motion to sign all of the approved 2007 abatements, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted. Abatements were approved for Arena, Botellio, Hamel, Matthews, Steeves, Martell, and Timbervest.
Mike made a motion to sign the Land Use Change Tax warrant for Glose, Map 3 Lot 6 Sub 3, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted. Tax amount is $1,300.
Rich made a motion to sign the building permit for Blye for a 12x34 seasonal mobile home, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Rich made a motion to sign the building permit for Richer, expanding a 10x10 deck to a 12x12 three season room, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to sign the amended septic for Buck N Horse Campground, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Lewis Albert was on the agenda to discuss the Police Department. He asked Chief White several questions:
· Had he signed a contract when he began working with the Town?
· Was he on salary or hourly rate?
· Who is in charge when the chief is away?
· Why were the State Police and Fish & Game in town on Father’s Day?
Mr. Albert feels the Groton Police do not respond when there are calls.
Chief White responded that he had not signed a contract, he is paid hourly. When he is away, Sergeant Pivirotto is in charge in Groton, Sergeant Austin is in charge in Hebron. On Father’s Day, Groton did not have an officer on duty so dispatch would call the State Police whenever there is a call. He also said that the response time for the State Police has to do with the priority of the call. Some situations require that they respond immediately, while others are considered of low priority and it could literally take hours before they could get here. Jackie Brogna asked what the Groton PD budget is compared to surrounding towns of similar size. Chief White responded that our budget is about ½ of Hebron’s.
Several minutes were taken to explain the need for mutual aid and how it works. The Town does not pay to be a part of mutual aid with the neighboring municipalities.
Questions and comments were taken from the audience.
There is a sign up sheet on the desk in the library for anyone who is interested in serving on the Groton Old Home Day Committee.
Mike made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:52pm, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Hamel,
Administrative Assistant