Town of Groton
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
May 19 2009
7:00pm
In Attendance: Michael Brogna, Miles Sinclair, Kyle Andrews, Pamela Hamel (AA)
Audience Members Present
Mike Brogna called the meeting to order at 7:01pm. Mike made a motion to go into a non public session, Kyle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike made a motion to go back into public session at 7:42pm, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted. Mike reported that they had voted to seal the minutes of the non public.
Mike read the appointments, announcements and minutes of the May 12 Selectmen’s meeting to the audience. Mike made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Pam reported that Dawn Lemieux had asked for an additional week to collect signatures for the TWC petition. The Board was fine with that.
Miles researched the statutes governing elderly exemptions, specifically dealing with the phrase accident, mistake or misfortune as it relates to whether or not the Board of Selectmen should accept a late application for exemption. The dictionary meanings for these words do not include ‘not knowing about something’ (in this case the deadline for application). However, as he had learned earlier that day at the LGC seminar, the Statute does allow for the Board to use their discretion in these matters. LGC stressed that they should treat everyone equally. In this circumstance, Miles would like to extend as much assistance as possible to someone applying for this exemption noting that the applicant must still meet the criteria for qualification. Mike made a motion to accept Mr. Kennedy’s application for elderly exemption, Kyle 2nd, all in favor, so voted. The Board will review his paperwork. Deadline for their response is July 1st.
After reviewing the 2009 contract for the MS-5, Miles made a motion to sign the MS-5 engagement letter, Kyle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Pam reported that the old trailer on Map 7 Lot 40 was removed. Ron Madan verified that he had seen it hauled off. The Board would like the Health Officer to verify that it is gone and report to the Board thus closing his case. At that time the Board will send a letter of thanks to the property owner for taking care of this issue in a prompt manner.
Pam gave an update on the trailer on Map 5 Lot 54. It will be there on a semi-permanent basis. Owner will be hooking it to electric and his new septic. He plans to build a cabin beginning next summer. He said it would take 2-3 years to complete the construction and he will stay in the trailer while building. Pam will get the following information for the Board:
Ø When the trailer was put on the site
Ø Is it registered
Ø Will it be staying there all the time or be taken out each fall
Ø Do the current septic plans include a hook up for a travel trailer
Miles made a motion for Pam to follow up on this and make Chuck aware of it, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Miles made a motion to table the Groton/Dorchester Mutual Road Aid Agreement changes, Kyle 2nd, all in favor, so voted. The Board would like to review these during a work session.
Boyd Smith, Director of Newfound Lakes Region Association addressed the Board. He reported that a draft of the NLRA Watershed Master Plan will be available on line by the end of May. A public presentation of the document will be held at the Bridgewater Town Hall on Monday, June 15 from 6-8pm. This will include a question and answer time. The next few months are considered the review and comment phase of this project. Currently, there is a 45 page natural resources management document available on line for the town to use as an aid when enacting ordinances that help protect natural resources. Concerning gaining access to Newfound Lake, there is no opportunity as this time for Groton residents to be able to purchase a sticker that would allow them to pay a small annual fee to use Wellington State Park for the season as Alexandria does. Mr. Smith said he has not given up and will continue to try to work something out for Groton residents.
Mike made a motion to sign the 2009 1st billing Tax Warrant, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike read a letter to Miles Sinclair from the Catanzaros thanking him for looking into the welfare of the Atwell/Orange Brook Bridge. Miles stated that the entire Board has been concerned about the condition of the bridge.
Mike read a letter of interest from Michelle Escobar for the vacant position of Trustee of the Trust Funds. Mike made a motion to appoint Michelle Escobar as a Trustee of the Trust Funds for 2 years, Kyle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Pam reported that she had come upon a copy of a Quitclaim Deed for a property that the town sold to James and Sheila Psaledas that had never been recorded at Grafton County Registry of Deeds. She had found out that a copy cannot be accepted for recording, only the original. There was some discussion as to who should be responsible for the recording fee and transfer tax. Miles made a motion to make whatever contacts necessary to rectify the situation and report back to the Board, Kyle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Miles made a motion to sign the Timber Tax Warrant for Aladdin Financial, Kyle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Miles made a motion to sign the Intent to Cut for Timbervest and send along the information packet concerning the Atwell/Orange Brook Bridge weight limit, Mike 2nd, all in favor, so voted. The Intent included two possible routes: Sculptured Rocks Road or Province Road through Dorchester.
The Board reviewed the building permit for Fleming for additional living space. Currently there is no septic on the property. They do have an outhouse and holding tank. Board would like this forwarded to the Health Officer to determine if other measures need to be taken in order to be in compliance with the town’s ordinance and any state ordinances/statutes.
The Board discussed the application for veteran’s credit for Richard Cross. Mr. Cross had submitted part of his paperwork on April 17 and the remainder on May 13. The due date was April 15. Mike made a motion to give him the same consideration as Mr. Kennedy and to accept his application for review, Miles 2nd, all in favor, so voted. The Board will review his paperwork to determine if he qualifies for the credit.
Miles reported that last December, the Road Agent had received a Christmas card addressed to him as Road Agent and sent to his home. In it was a gift of $20. He had immediately brought the card and money into the office as he was unsure whether or not it was proper to accept this gift. At the time Mike and Miles had told him to keep it. During the LGC seminar, Miles asked about that situation. The instructor said it would be best to not have accepted the money. Miles felt the town’s people should know that the error in judgment was theirs. He also said the Road Agent had done the right thing by bringing the money to their attention.
Mike reported that 60 children participated in the Fishing Derby, an increase of 9 children from last year. In all, about 200 people attended the event.
Pam and Betty Smolinsky gave brief updates on the Cemeteries. There has been some extensive cleaning done, several truck loads of brush and leaves removed from the Rolfe Hill and North Groton cemeteries. Fifty ft of the fence at the North Groton Cemetery has been painted, and the sign is ready to be put up. The Kimball Hill Cemetery is covered with brush and trees. Last week about ½ of the cemetery was cleared. The remaining half is the worse half. It will be worked on little by little and mostly toward the end of summer and into the fall.
Mike made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:42pm, Kyle 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Hamel
Administrative Assistant