Town of Groton
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
September 23, 2008
7:00pm
In Attendance: Michael Brogna, Miles Sinclair, Pamela Hamel (Administrative Assistant)
Audience Members Present
Mike called the meeting to order at 7:11pm and read the appointments, announcements and the minutes of September 16 to the audience. Miles Sinclair pointed out the since the election is the first Tuesday of November, the time change for the selectmen’s meeting will not begin until November 11. Mike made a motion to approve the minutes as written, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Omer Ahern Jr., candidate for County Commissioner, addressed the Board and audience. He would like to see the county taxes lowered and believes the county can achieve greater profits from the Farm and Woodland operation in Haverhill. Mr. Ahern took questions from the audience.
State Representative Marge Maybeck also addressed the Board and audience. Ms. Maybeck is running on a platform of more local control, lower taxes and less control from Concord. She was available to speak with anyone from the audience after the meeting was adjourned.
Mike made a motion to approve the building permit for Groton Wind, LLC, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted. Groton Wind has received a special exception from the Groton Zoning Board.
Glen Hansen gave a brief summary on the Disaster Application Briefing Meeting he and Miles attended last week. He is in the process of filling out applications for assistance for road repairs. Both men feel it is very likely that the Town is eligible for assistance.
Mike read the response from the Bristol Board of Selectmen concerning the use of their grader. Bristol is in favor of the two towns working together through mutual aid. They have suggested that the Road Agents from each town make the appropriate arrangements. Mike made a motion that Glen Hansen contact Bristol’s road agent Mark Bucklin to work out an agreement and report the results to the Board, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Glen gave an update on his search for backup plowing if necessary. Dorchester has agreed to be a post storm backup. They will be responding to the Board in writing.
Mike read a memo concerning the heating of Town Buildings. Mike made a motion to forward the memo to all Department and Committee Heads, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted. The Board also reviewed the pamphlet submitted by Peter Bailey describing a hot water heating system fuel economizer which claims a 13% savings on fuel. Miles feels they should hear from someone who has had one for a heating season who could attest to the performance of this product. He would like to get more information on the product and set up a work session with Peter Bailey to discuss it.
There was some discussion on housing the new cruiser during the winter months. The Board again explained that they do not believe that keeping it in the Transfer Station garage is a good option. Mike asked Ken Martell if he would be willing to head up a committee to research the options for housing the cruiser. Ken said he would. Mike made a motion to accept letters of interest from anyone who wants to serve on a committee to investigate options for putting the cruiser under cover, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted. Mr. Martell said he could put together a committee. Mike told him that the Board would put together the committee and asked that he also submit a letter of interest.
Mike made a motion to accept Angela Lyford’s resignation as a Trustee of the Trust Funds, Miles, 2nd, all in favor, so voted. Ms. Lyford is being redeployed to the Middle East. The Board will be sending a memo to the remaining Trustees asking if they have a recommendation for a replacement. They would also like a copy of the latest bank statement for the Capital Reserve Funds. The Board will be using those numbers during the budget process.
Mike made a motion to sign the memo to the Trustees, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted
Mike read a memo to the Planning Board urging them to adopt site plan review and begin the process to see the zoning ordinance ratified. Mike made a motion to sign the memo to the Planning Board, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to table the building permit for Brogna, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to sign the building permit for Dyment, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to sign the letter to the Leones inviting them to next week’s meeting to discuss the Zoning Ordinance and Buck N Horse Campground, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted. Ms. Leone asked that the meeting be non-public. The Board said they would investigate whether or not there is state statute to allow that. If it cannot be in non-public, Ms. Leone requested that they have the discussion in a work session. The Board will get back to her this week.
Mike read a letter from Alison Bagley and one from Mark & Sharon Beever thanking the Board, the Recreation Committee and the community for dedicating the Shade Hut to Eben Beever.
Mike made a motion to table discussing the letter from Kevin Maass until the Board can review it and Selectperson Clark is able to be there, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted. Kevin Maass felt his letter should be addressed as other letters were read during the meeting. Mike explained that the other letters had been submitted ahead of time and were on the agenda. Kevin submitted his letter a few minutes before the meeting began. It will be on next week’s agenda.
Pam will look up the RSA that gives the Zoning Board authority to appoint a member or alternate if there is a vacancy.
Mike asked Zoning Board Chair Chuck Stata to make up a certificate which can be attached to the building permits of anyone who has received a special exception from the Zoning Board. This certificate should include the vote and any stipulations.
Mike made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55pm, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Hamel
Administrative Assistant