Town of Groton
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
September 16, 2008
7:00pm
In Attendance: Michael Brogna, Michelle Clark, Miles Sinclair, Pamela Hamel (Administrative Assistant)
Audience Members Present
Mike called the meeting to order at 7:07pm and read the appointments. He then gave the floor to Selectman Miles Sinclair. Miles took a few minutes to let the audience know what they can expect from him as a member of the Board and what he expects of them as residents of Groton. He is available to talk and meet with residents when they have need but asks that no one call or come to his home after 9:00pm. He has no personal agenda and wants to carry out the wishes of the majority. Selectman Sinclair would like to see the people of Groton be a part of the decision making process and whenever a problem arises, he asks that they be a part of the solution. He said the town can expect him to be honest and adhere to the law. Miles is also the Animal Control Officer for the town. In that capacity he will be fair and strict in adherence to the law. He reminded residents that all dogs over 4 months of age must have a rabies shot and be licensed.
Mike read the announcements and minutes of September 2 to the audience. Mike made a motion to approve the minutes as written, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike explained the Police Chief Question/Answer session that is set up for Tuesday, September 30. There are currently 2 candidates that the Board is considering for the position of Chief. They would like the residents to have the opportunity, in a controlled, profession environment, to ask each candidate some questions. First session with one candidate is from 6:30-7:00pm. The Board will hold a regular selectmen’s meeting from 7:00-8:00 followed by another session with the second candidate from 8:00-8:30pm. Michelle will be creating a feedback survey for those residents who would like to fill it out.
Brett MacDonald asked the Board if they could assist him with keeping his child in the Mascoma School district. The MacDonalds recently moved over the Dorchester town line into Groton which means their son would now go to the Newfound Area Schools. The Dorchester Board of Selectmen told the MacDonalds to come to the Groton Board for assistance. Michelle said he needed to contact the Department of Education. Miles asked if they had contacted the school district to get some information on the procedure that would need to be followed. Mr. MacDonald said they had not. The Board asked that they contact the district first, then they can ask to be put on the agenda again if necessary.
The Board reviewed a letter from the Town of Bristol concerning the Newfound Selectmen Summit. They are requesting that the Select Boards renew their participation in cost savings discussions together with neighboring communities, and direct their department heads to be in contact with their counterparts in neighboring communities to start a dialogue about ways to save money. Michelle made a motion to allow our department heads to dialogue with neighboring department heads concerning ways to save money provided they report back to the Board, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Michelle read a letter from Louise Traunstein of the Groton Historical Society offering to digitize old town records and microfiche at no cost to the town. There was much discussion about the need to preserve these records and the fact that based upon their current condition, they will be lost within the next few years if not preserved. Ernie Blood, Jr. from Colchester, Vt. has volunteered to do this. Mr. Blood has done a great deal of preserving of records for GHS. Because some of the ledgers are oversized they would need to be taken out of the Town House along with the microfiche. The Board had a few questions which they would like answered:
· How long will the records be gone
· Is he planning to take all the records at once or a few at a time
· What is the time frame for completing the project
Pam will be in touch with Louise Traunstien to request a letter from the GHS addressing these concerns.
Mike made a motion to sign the building permit for Gore for a 10x16 barn, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to sign the building permit for Lavoie for 3 decks, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
The Board discussed the issue of road bonding and posting of weight limits on town roads. At this point, they will begin asking for road bonds beginning the next timber season as the current season is coming to a close and they do not feel it is consistent to ask for bonds from some companies and not others.
Michelle made a motion to sign the intent to cut for Green Acre Woodlands, Map 9 Lot 10, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
The Board discussed heating the Town House this winter. They would like a memo sent to all chairmen and committee heads that use the main hall to turn the heat down before leaving. They said we need to be cheap with the heat. The Board wants all committees to know that they should feel free to have the building at a comfortable temperature when in use, but please remember to turn it down before leaving. They discussed some alternative options for heat control including the use of programmable thermostats and lock boxes. Mike would like Pam to make a few signs to post near the thermostats are reminders.
Peter Bailey suggested using a micro processor to monitor the heating system. The approximate cost to install one is $500 and it could provide a 35% savings on heating costs. Miles asked him to get some literature for the Board to review.
Chuck Stata asked the Board of Selectmen to appoint Glen Hansen as a zoning board alternate. Mike feels that the law gives the Zoning Board authority to do this. Michelle made a motion to table this until they know what the RSA says regarding who has authority to make this appointment, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to sign a letter to the Bristol Board of Selectmen requesting the use of their grader, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Glen Hansen and Miles Sinclair will be attending the Disaster Application Briefing in Plymouth on Wednesday. This briefing is to give assistance in receiving funds for repairing damaged roads due to the heavy summer rains.
The GRC requested the use of the Town Hall on Saturday, September 27 for a dance, and to take $200 out of their revolving fund to buy supplies for the dance. The dance will be from 5pm-10pm.
Mike made a motion to grant the GRC’s request to use the hall on Saturday, September 27 for a dance, and use $200 from their revolving fund for supplies, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Pam Yinger thanked Miles for hooking up the cable TV in the Library.
The Selectmen’s meetings will begin at 6:00pm beginning the first Tuesday in November.
Betty Smolinsky reported that there are some headstones sinking into the ground at the River Road Cemetery. The Trustees would like to know if there is any sand or fill that they can use. Glen Hansen said there is some fill left over from the work at the Park. The Trustees will be getting together with him to arrange for delivery.
Helen Santoro thanked the Transfer Station Supervisor Glen Hansen for all the hard work done at the Transfer Station.
The Board wants Pam to look into getting a pager for the Road Agent incase someone needs to get in touch with him in an emergency or to report if there are trees/limbs down in the road.
Peter Bailey commented on the good work the Road Agent had done on Province Road.
Mike made a motion to go into non-public session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II(c) at 8:50pm, Michelle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to go back into public session at 9:38pm, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to seal the minutes of the non-public session, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted
Mike made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:40pm, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Hamel
Administrative Assistant