Town of Groton
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes (Amended)
August 5, 2008
7:00pm
In Attendance: Michael Brogna, Michelle Clark, Pamela Hamel (Administrative Assistant)
Audience Members Present
Mike called the meeting to order at 7:08pm and read the appointments, announcements and minutes of July 29, 2008 to the audience. Michelle made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Suzanne Wall from Andover Geologic gave a brief report on the Landfill monitoring. The town saw a significant reduction in monitoring for 2008. Ms. Wall will petition the state again for future reduction of testing based upon the 2008 monitoring results. She is currently working on submitting the town’s permit renewal application which is due at year’s end. Michelle asked what the absolute minimum testing amounts were. Ms. Wall responded that the minimum for water testing is 2x a year. Most landfills must continue testing anywhere from 10 to 20 years after closing.
Chairman Brogna introduced Senator Deborah Reynolds who was here to sit in on the meeting. The Senator mentioned 2 of several areas of concern for her and her constituents in this 31 town district: home heating issues and broad band communication. She encouraged anyone who feels that they qualify for heating assistance to be in contact with her office and begin the application process as soon as possible. Senator Reynolds will be hosting a forum on this issue on August 15 in Haverhill, and is hoping to schedule one in the Plymouth area as well. The Senator will be attending Groton Old Home Day on August 16.
The Board reviewed Glen Hansen’s response letter to the Province Road Notice of Insufficient Way. Michelle asked Mr. Hansen to include whether or not Province Road was a safety issue at the time the complaint was submitted. Mike asked whether fire trucks and ambulances would be able to pass through to the Groton/Dorchester town line. Mr. Hansen replied that they would. The Board requested that the Administrative Assistant look up the RSA’s concerning the town’s responsibilities for this class V seasonal road, and their time frame to respond to any complaints or concerns. Mike made a motion to table this until the work session on Thursday, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to appoint Glen Hansen and Stephen (Slim) Spafford as the Town’s representatives to North Country Council, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted. The Board pointed out that this is a voluntary position.
Michelle made a motion to approve the building permit for Browning for a 16x20 three season porch pending wastewater approval #s, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to approve the building permit for Hobart for a 14x16 shed pending wastewater approval #s, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Michelle made a motion to table signing the Bardsley Intent to Cut for Map 7, Lot 21 until the paper work is properly filled out, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted. David Porter, the logger for Bardsley, asked if the Board would be able to sign the Intent that same evening if the owner came up to fix the paperwork. Mike said they would as long as the owner could get here while they were still in session.
Anne Tobine gave an update for the Groton Recreation Committee. The Shade Hut is built and they would like to dedicate it in the memory of Eben Beever. Michelle made a motion to dedicate the shade hut in the memory of Eben Beever, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Ms. Tobine asked for the Board’s approval to buy enough material to build two 8ft and four 6ft tables, and to take the money from the Groton Recreation Capital Reserve Fund. She did not know the exact amount that would be needed for these tables. Michelle asked that she get a firm price for the tables by the Thursday work session. Michelle made a motion to table this request until the work session on Thursday, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Bonnie Lane gave a brief update on Groton Old Home Day.
Questions and comments were taken from the audience
Paul Berube brought up a statement made at last week’s meeting by the chairman of the Board that anyone convicted of a felony cannot be certified by the state as a Transfer Station Attendant. He presented the Board with research he had done indicating that someone with a felony conviction can be certified by the state, thus they should be granted an interview when applying for that position in Groton. Michelle responded that the Board has the authority to choose who to grant an interview to, and to hire who they feel is best for the position based upon that interview and a background check. Mike did not say who had given them the original information about certification. He then asked the Administrative Assistant to research the state’s requirements and the town’s policies.
Mike made a motion to go into non public session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (c) at 8:11pm, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to go back into public session at 8:32pm, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to seal the minutes of the non public session, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
The Board took a short break in order to give Mr. Bardsley additional time to make it to the meeting.
Mike made a motion to sign the Intent to Cut for Bardsley, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:43pm, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Hamel
Administrative Assistant