BOARD OF SELECTMEN

FEBRUARY 23, 2004

REGULAR SESSION MINUTES

 “APPROVED”

 

Present:  Thomas D. Hartnett, Chair; George F. Dillon, Jr., Vice Chair; Peter S. Cunningham, Member; Virginia C. Wood, Member; Administrative Officer Jean E. Kitchen and Kathleen Newell, Office Assistant.

Absent:  John L. Saball, Clerk

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

West Groton Park Project Presentation, Garden Gate Landscape, Lorayne Black

Ms. Lorayne Black, Mr. Winthrop Sherwin, Mr. & Mrs. Elliot Blood, Mr. David Hamilton, Ms. Michelle Collette, Ms. Donna Nowak, Mr. Bob Nowak, Ms. Janet Shea, Representative Robert Hargraves, Highway Surveyor Tom Delaney and Ms. Iris Price of Massachusetts Electric were present for this portion of the meeting.

 

Ms. Black stated the Town of Groton had hired her to develop a design for the West Groton area.  Ms. Black described the park stating it was for passive recreation with sitting benches, walkways to enjoy views of the Squannacook River a sitting area sited around a granite well head, planted with a combination of dogwood, shrubs, azaleas and native and seasonal bloomers.  Ms. Black further stated a total of four (4) parking spaces, including one (1) handicapped accessible space would service the park.  Mr. Sherwin stated there was a severe parking problem in the area.  Mr. Blood, who stated he owned the Post Office and Mr. David Hamilton, owner of Rivercourt concurred with Mr. Sherwin regarding the lack of parking in the area and expressed concern regarding the existing commercial space in the area.  Ms. Nowak stated the intent of the Park Committee was to create a passive park for residents of West Groton to walk to highlighting the river and pond.  Discussion ensued relative to parking and the surrounding properties.  Ms. Wood stated there were parking problems inherent to the area and asked Mr. Blood, Mr. Sherwin and Mr. Hamilton they would consider forming a group to investigate the parking problem and formulate a solution.  Ms. Shea suggested the park be named in memory of a Korean War Veteran, Carol G. Wheeler.  Mr. Dillon stated Ms. Black had done a tremendous job.  Mr. Hartnett stated the Town is getting a beautiful park.  The Board thanked Ms. Black for her work.  Ms. Wood asked Mr. Delaney if he could look at the area regarding potential parking.

 

Earth Removal Exemption -111 Farmers Row, Map 107, Parcel 5

Mr. Bob Prescott, Trustee, North Shirley Road Realty Trust and Ms. Michelle Collette, Earth Removal Inspector were present for this portion of the meeting.  Ms. Collette stated the Earth Removal Committee Advisory Committee had voted to recommend the Board of Selectmen deny without prejudice the Request for Exemption.  Ms. Collette stated it is unclear if there is a valid building permit, further stating there is no need to disturb the site until there is a building permit.  Ms. Collette suggested Mr. Prescott return when he had a valid permit.  Mr. Prescott stated there is a permit issued on the lot and he will be submitting plans to update the permit.  Mr. Prescott stated a need to remove the loam so he may bring material in to bring the site up to grade before he can figure which direction he is going to go.  Mr. Prescott asked to continue the hearing and have Ross Associates calculate the displacement and have the Historic District Committee review the plan.  Ms. Collette stated that was a reasonable request.  Mr. Cunningham stated it was premature to make a decision while the original plan is being updated.   Ms. Kitchen stated an appropriate motion would be to withdraw without prejudice and reapply because of the time constraint.  Ms. Wood asked bout the fees paid if they could be credited.  Mr. Prescott stated he has a septic permit for the property and was actively working on the system until the weather impeded his progress.  Ms. Collette expressed concern regarding the history of the property predating Mr. Prescott, which the HDC had concerns with a raised SDS, and lot grading.  Ms. Collette stated the Earth Removal Advisory Committee would not like to see the material removed until rectified.  Mr. Cunningham asked if the site disturbance was from the previous owner.  Ms. Collette stated it was from Mr. Prescott, but an erosion control permit had been issued.  Mr. Prescott stated he needs 4000 yards of permeable material but has 2000 yards of excess material, which needs to be removed.  Ms. Collette explained her need for the calculations and ERAC review.  Ms. Collette suggested continuing for a month to give Mr. Prescott the time to provide the required information.  The Board concurred and the hearing was continued until March 22, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.

 

POW-MIA Flag Presentation - American Legion Laurence W. Gay Post #55

Mr. Dave Elliot and Mr. Don Wyco were present for this portion of the meeting.  Mr. Wyco presented a POW-MIA flag to the Town of Groton to replace the frayed flag.  Mr. Hartnett graciously accepted the flag on behalf of the Town of Groton stating it is a reminder of what dedicated men and women do for our country.  Mr. Hartnett accepted the flag on behalf of the people of Groton stating it will serve as a reminder of what brave men and women do for their country.

 

Old Burying Ground Appointment

Mr. Cunningham moved to appoint Debbie Normandin, Carolyn French, and Christine Barbon to the Old Burying Ground Committee for the un-expired one-year term to expire June 30, 2004.  Seconded by Ms. Wood.  Unanimous vote.

 

Capital Planning Committee Appointment

Mr. Cunningham move to appoint Jay Prager to the Capital Planning Committee for the un-expired two-year term to expire June 30, 2004.  Seconded by Ms. Wood.  Unanimous vote.

 

4 Corners Intersection RE: Environmental Notification Form Comments

Ms. Wood stated if no other departments were submitting comments the Board of Selectmen did not need to send comments.

 

One Day Liquor License - First Parish Church, February 27, 2004 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Mr. Cunningham moved to sign the State Presidential Primary warrant for Tuesday, March 2, 2004 from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.  Seconded by Ms. Wood.  Unanimous vote.

 

Review Regular Session Minutes of January 26, 2004

Mr. Cunningham moved to approve the Regular Session Minutes of January 26,2004.  Seconded by Mr. Dillon.  3 in favor, 1 abstention (Wood).

 

Special Town Meeting Warrant

Ms. Kitchen stated the need to open the warrant for the special town meeting this evening for a March 15, 2004 STM date.

 

Mr. Cunningham moved to open and close the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting on March 15, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. for the warrant article.  Seconded by Mr. Dillon.  Unanimous vote.

Selectmen Liaison Updates

Mr. Hartnett stated he and Mr. Cunningham had met several times with Ms. Liza Judge and Ms. Kerry Strauss, they are making good progress and noted that anyone interested in serving on the committee should fill out an interest form.  Mr. Hartnett stated there has been an audit and the Recreation Department is running a deficit, explaining they have been not charging enough for the programs.  Mr. Hartnett further stated the Board would need to take a vote to let the Recreation department keep the rental revenues from Squannacook Hall.  Mr. Cunningham asked to put the item on the agenda and fund what the revenue income is.

 

Mr. Dillon stated he had attended a meeting with Lt. Governor Healey and had an opportunity to make comments.  Mr. Dillon stated there is a polarization in budgets between schools and Towns.

 

Mr. Dillon stated the Hydrant Committee had been started and there was a need to follow through with it.  Ms. Wood stated she needed to understand where Mr. Cunningham was coming from.  Ms. Kitchen stated she would put the item on a future agenda.

 

Mr. Cunningham moved adjourn at 8:45 p.m.  Seconded by Mr. Dillon.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

 

                                                                                    ______________________________

Approved:  _____________________________        Respectfully submitted,

                      Thomas D. Hartnett, Chairman                     Kathleen Newell, Office Assistant

 

Date Approved:  March 22, 2004