Town of Groton
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
December 30, 2008
7:00pm
In Attendance: Michael Brogna, Miles Sinclair, Pamela Hamel (Administrative Assistant)
Audience Members Present
Mike Brogna called the meeting to order at 7:05pm and read the appointments, announcements and the minutes of December 23rd to the audience. Mike made a motion to approve the minutes as written, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Miles gave an update on his research into the status of Nedeau Lane/Bailey Hill Road. He spoke with Ms. Matthews. She verified that she had done extensive research on the status of town roads but believes that those records could have been lost in the flood. Miles spent a few hours looking through the records we have on hand as well as an 1894 map of the town. His conclusions are as follows:
· 1928 From the Tenney Place (which was on the corner of Nedeau Lane and North Groton Road) to the Coburn Place (which was located at the end of what is now call Colburn Road) was discontinued subject to gates and bars meaning that it went from class V to class VI status.
· 1959 From the Rumney Line (where Colburn Road crosses into Rumney) to the Hobbs place (which was located on Bailey Hill Road heading towards Dorchester) was discontinued. This is consistent with the portion of Bailey Hill Road that is currently considered private. The Town only maintains a small section of Bailey Hill Road beginning at the Dorchester Town Line heading up the hill as far as the turn around.
Miles would like to take a look at the Town Meeting minutes to verify that these articles did pass. Miles made a motion to table this for one more week, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Chuck Stata contacted Dick DeSeve from DES concerning their findings at the Abbott residence. He received a brief response via email. Mr. DeSeve is not aware of any regulations regarding pressurized water system rules. He did indicate that the Abbott home appeared to be “green”. Mr. Stata is hoping to have a phone conversation with Mr. DeSeve in order to clarify this comment and fully explain the results of their search of the property. There was a lot of discussion from the audience about the use and reuse of grey water. Miles asked if Mr. Stata felt that someone from DES would be willing to visit the property for two reasons:
1. They were not able to clarify where the piping which is under the house goes and
2. DES would have the expertise necessary to correctly evaluate the situation
Mr. Stata will confer with Mr. DeSeve to see if it warrants someone from his office coming out. It could mean acquiring a second search warrant if they are not allowed access by the Abbotts, and costs to the town to repair any damage resulting from their search.
Mike made a motion to table this until the investigation is complete, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike read the letter of response to Mr. Pfeifer concerning his complaint about the condition of North Groton Road. Mike noticed that the letter was missing a word. Mike made a motion to correct the wording before they sign it, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Miles had an opportunity to review the Upper Valley Humane Society Contract for 2009. The contract is pretty much the same as last years. Since the ACO position falls under the jurisdiction of the Police Department and Chief White signed the contract last year, he would like to forward it to the chief for his review and signature. Also, as the ACO, he believes it could present a conflict of interest if he is the one to sign the contract. Mike made a motion to forward this to the chief and duly authorize him to sign it, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike gave an update on an Intent to Cut for Bardsley. Mr. Bardsley came to a work session and requested that the Board sign his Intent so his logger could continue work. All of his paperwork was in order and taxes paid. The cut is for Map 6 Lot 1 and Map 7 Lots 45 & 46. Access roads are Blood Road and North Groton Road. Mr. Stata made the audience aware of several problems and violations associated with Mr. Bardsley’s current cut off Halls Brook Road. DES is the enforcement arm of wetland violations associated with timbering. Mike read a portion of a letter the Board received from DES laying out what they are requiring Mr. Bardsley to submit before commencing his cut off Blood Road. The Board encouraged the Town’s people to call DES or the Selectmen’s office if Mr. Bardsley commences his cut without the approval of DES.
Miles read a letter from John Wood requesting assistance in locating a monument constructed for the Longley family. There was some discussion about the fact the Mr. Wood probably has the wrong Groton as Longley was not a name familiar with anyone in the audience. Jo O’Connor offered to be in touch with Louise Traunstein of the Groton Historical Society to verify. Miles made a motion to table this until next week so he can review the packet Mr. Wood sent, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mr. Stata gave an update on the warrant article for spraying on the power lines. Because the town passed a warrant article in 1972 banning spraying on the power lines, it appears as though they still have the authority to prevent it even though the state passed a law in 1993 that preempted existing spraying regulations. The Attorney General’s office is currently looking into this. Mr. Stata is wondering if there is a way to modify the article without giving up their authority.
Mike made a motion to go into non public session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) at 8:17pm, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to go back into public session at 8:53 pm, 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 sign the corrected letter to Pfeifer, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
The Board would like Pam to set up a work session with the Road Agent. They would like him to have the employee progress reports for Jerry Berry, Chris Faucher, Ron Madan and Kevin Wilbur ready for the work session, hopefully by week’s end.
Mike made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55pm, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Hamel
Administrative Assistant