Town of Groton
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
March 31, 2009
7:00pm
In Attendance: Michael Brogna, Miles Sinclair, Kyle Andrews, Pamela Hamel (Administrative Assistant)
Audience Members Present
Mike Brogna called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
Mike read the appointments and announcements.
Mike made a motion to sign the signature cards for Meredith Village Savings Bank, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted. This will authorize Selectman Kyle Andrews to sign checks.
Mike read the minutes of the March 24 selectmen’s meeting to the audience.
Mike made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to table the Hutchins Junkyard Renewal Permit until the background checks come in, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted. Chuck Stata reported that he had visited the Hutchins Junkyard and confirmed best management practices.
The Board will review the current Junkyard regulations. If any changes need to be made they will hold a public hearing. It will be posted in the paper, on the web, at the Transfer Station and the Town House. Anyone with a Junkyard permit will be contacted. The Board does need to revisit the fee charged for a permit as the background check fee which is included in permit fee has gone up from $15 to $25.
Mike made a motion to table the Rego Junkyard Permit Renewal until the background check is in, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike reported that in a work session the Board made a motion for the CRC to use money from their revolving fund to buy a button maker.
Pam contacted those who received write-in votes for Trustee of the Trust Funds. Thus far no
one has expressed an interest in the position but she has not yet heard back from everyone.
Mike said that under new business he will be reading a letter of resignation from one of the
Trustees so there are now 2 positions available. Anyone interested should contact the Selectmen’s office.
The Board received a letter from DES concerning the Groton 1 Realty Trust logging operation off Blood Road. As part of their follow up on the wetlands requirements for that operation, DES visited the site on March 24. They noted two crossings that would require some restoration upon snow melt, but no water quality violations or violations of Best Management Practices. In response to the Conservation Commission’s request, Chuck Stata and Forester Bert von Dohrmann visited the site on March 31. They found no evidence of any oil or hydraulic fluids contaminating the wetlands. Their inspection included the area surrounding the chipper and fuel tanks as well as other areas. Mike made a motion to send a letter to the Conservation Commission with these results, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Kyle reported that there is a metal structure with no roof or sides that has been put up on Map 5 Lot 46. The town’s records indicate that no building permit has been issued for that property. Mike made a motion to draft a letter to the owner to clarify the situation, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Shirley Leone asked about 2 ZBA members discussing a possible case when an application for special exception had not yet been submitted. Miles replied that 2 members do not constitute a quorum thus it is not considered a meeting under the Right to Know Law. Mike said that it is not the best thing to do but they do not know if it is considered illegal as it is not a meeting.
Mike read a letter of resignation from trust fund trustee Kathleen Estabrook. Mike made a motion to accept the letter of resignation and forward it to the Town Clerk, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to sign the 2009 Rumney Fire & EMS contract, Kyle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
The Board reviewed the Groton 1 Realty Trust request to extend their Intent to Cut until June 30. This is allowable under RSA 79:10 II.
While preparing the MS-2, Pam discovered an error in the 2009 budget cuts. The Board will correct the error in a work session on Wednesday, April 1. Miles made a motion to table the 2009 budget cuts, Kyle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to table signing the MS-2, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Miles did a Town of Groton wage study comparison with other municipalities with populations under 1000. He also included a few local towns with populations over 1000 such as Alexandria and Rumney. A worksheet with the results is available for anyone who is interested. The study includes the average wages for a number of town positions and a wage scale with 5% annual increases. This study is a starting point for discussions about the current wage structure for town employees. The Board will be looking into this in the future.
Miles made a motion to pay the community assistance support bills, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted. At Town Meeting, the town voted to support various local organizations with money from the general budget.
The Administrative Assistant will be taking some time off beginning Tuesday, April 14 through Monday, April 20. The Board would like her to use 16 hours of comp time and 3 vacations days. There will be no Selectmen’s meeting on Tuesday, April 14.
Miles found a couple of used syringes at the end of his driveway, possibly related to drug use. He has turned them over to the police department. The Board asks that residents exercise caution when and if they come across something like this.
Mike made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:50pm, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Hamel
Administrative Assistant