Town of Groton

Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes

December 23, 2008

7:00pm

In Attendance:  Michael Brogna, Miles Sinclair, Pamela Hamel (Administrative Assistant)

Audience Members Present

Mike Brogna called the meeting to order at 7:03pm and read the appointments, announcements and the minutes of December 16^th to the audience. Mike made a motion to approve the minutes as written, Miles 2^nd, all in favor, so voted. 

There was some continued discussion on the status of Nedeau Lane/Bailey Hill Road. Pam had gotten Eben Beever’s file but it did not contain any information that the Selectmen’s office didn’t already have. Miles was waiting to hear back from Trish Matthews. Miles would like to table this for one more week in order to look through the files and hopefully speak with Ms. Matthews. Mike made a motion to table this until next week, Miles 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Miles gave a brief update on the administrative search warrant request. The Board was able to secure this warrant. Miles, Chuck Stata and Officer EJ Thompson visited the Abbott home on December 18. Miles reported that Mrs. Abbott was very cooperative but Mr. Abbott was not. This is a brief list of their findings:

• Ran into some truthfulness issues with the homeowner such as discovering a pump when the owner had declared that all water was gravity fed
• Found evidence of piping that went under the house.
• Unable to access under the house to verify where this piping is going
• Homeowner is using a composting toilet and there is every indication that this toilet has been in place for quite some time

The main concern has to do with the disposal of grey water. Chuck Stata will be addressing any potential issues with DES to see if there are any violations of the law and if so, how to proceed. Mike made a motion to table this until the Board hears back from Mr. Stata, Miles 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Concerning the possible building permit violation; Mr. Abbott said that since the inclusion of a loft/bedroom did not add enough square footage to change the initial building permit fee, he thought he could add it under the existing permit. Also, he maintains that since he has been taxed for 2 bedrooms all along when he only has one he should be able to add the second one. Mike said that building permit requests are supposed to include all improvements that require a permit. He would like to send a letter to Mr. Abbott stating that he should resubmit his permit with an accurate description of what is being built. If it does not exceed 1000 sq ft there will be no additional charge. Miles would like to wait until they hear back from Chuck Stata as they will probably be sending a letter with Mr. Stata’s results and can include any building permit issues as well.

Mike made a motion to table this until they hear back from Chuck Stata, Miles 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

The Board gave Pam the okay to take a half day off on Wed, Dec 31 to use up 4 hours of comp time. She will be compensated for the remaining 3.25 hours.

The Board responded to the Hutchins about their concerns over how the road agent is maintaining the road in front of their house. Some of the conclusions include:

• Excess salt being dumped on the side of the road in front of the house: In the past there has been considerable ice buildup in that location. As an ice pack was already forming and 2 residents had expressed concern, a line of salt was spread there to take care of the problem. The water build up problem in that location will be addressed in the spring.
• Mike Brogna had an opportunity to visit the area in question and did not feel that the road agent is winging back too far.
• Breaking of the tree limb: Although there is no way to be certain that the limb was broken due to plowing, it is very plausible that this is indeed the case. The Board has asked the road agent to be mindful of this in the future.

Mike made a motion to sign the letter of response to the Hutchins, Miles 2^nd, all in favor so voted.

The Board reviewed the GRC’s request to donate $50 from their revolving fund to the Newfound Middle School for use of the gymnasium for their November Craft fair. The promised spread sheet that the DRA supplied did not address the uses for this kind of fund, and the RSA’s do not allow for this type of use. Mike made a motion to deny the request to use the GRC revolving fund for this donation, Miles 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Miles gave an update on a grant workshop he attended in Plymouth. A total of $248,000 is available to the state. It is possible for Groton to receive some funding for a garage for the police cruiser, up to 35% of the total cost of the project. Miles has been in contact with Ken Martel as Ken is currently working on a warrant article for this project. Mr. Martel is still waiting on some numbers.

Miles and Pam will be attending a warrant workshop put on by the DRA on January 6 in Concord.

Mike read an email from Groton resident Charles Pfeifer complaining about the condition of North Groton Road during the December 21^st snow storm. Both Mike and Miles feel that the Road Agent and his assistants did a good job keeping the roads open during the last two storms. The Road Agent maintains the road according to the state guidelines. This includes putting a line of salt down the middle of the road and allowing it to naturally dissipate. The Board also pointed out that when plowing, it can take at least 2 hours to do a normal pass of the main roads, and when it is snowing at a rate of 2 or more inches per hour as it was on Sunday, it does not take long for 4 inches to accumulate on the road. Mike made a motion to draft a letter of response and include the number of hours worked by Glen, Ron and Kevin, Miles 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Board received the 2009 Animal Shelter Services Agreement for the Upper Valley Humane Society. Miles said he has a copy of last year’s contract and would like the opportunity to compare the two. Mike made a motion to table this until next week, Miles 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Mike made a motion to sign the building permit for Golden, Miles 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Mike made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:17pm, Miles 2^nd, all in favor, so voted.

Respectfully submitted,

Pamela Hamel  

Administrative Assistant