BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MARCH 1, 2004

REGULAR SESSION MINUTES

 “APPROVED”

 

Present:  Thomas D. Hartnett, Chair; George F. Dillon, Jr., Vice Chair; John L. Saball, Clerk; Virginia C. Wood, Member (arrived at 7:38 p.m.); Administrative Officer Jean E. Kitchen and Kathleen Newell, Office Assistant.

Absent:  Peter S. Cunningham, Member

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m.

 

Lost Lake/Knops Pond Weed Management Advisory Committee - Dr. William Eger RE: Notice of Intent

Dr. William Eger was present for this portion of the meeting.

 

Dr. Eger explained the National Heritage Association had inspected the pond last year and discovered Cambomba.  Dr. Eger stated the committee wanted to place bethnic barriers in the Springy Cove area to smother the vegetation and hopefully eliminate the problem in that area.  Dr. Eger stated the area of coverage was at most 10'x20' in the largest area.  Dr. Eger stated there were donors to provide the cement blocks and polypropylene.  Mr. Dillon asked who would install the barriers.  Dr. Eger stated the Lake Association would do the installation and Highway Surveyor Tom Delaney had offered help moving the blocks.  Dr. Eger stated a draft Notice of Intent had been submitted to the Conservation Commission for its review and if the Board of Selectmen votes to file a final Notice of Intent would be sent to the abutters, National Heritage Association, the State and Division of Fisheries and Wildlife for review and approval.

 

Mr. Hartnett asked the Board's pleasure.  The Board reached a consensus to move forward with the Notice of Intent.

 

Special Town Meeting Warrant

Ms. Kitchen stated there would not be a mailer sent out and there is only one article on the warrant.  Mr. Hartnett explained the Special Town Meeting will be held on March 15, 2004 at 7:00 to see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to take by eminent domain a temporary taking of the Lara Cunningham property on Gilson Road for the purpose of determining its viability as a future elementary school site.  Mr. Hartnett stated at the Annual Town Meeting last year voters had appropriated $75,000 for costs associated with evaluation of property at Gilson Road for this purpose.  However the land is being held in trust by an executor, the temporary taking will enable the Town to do Phase II testing to determine its suitability.  Mr. Hartnett stated there would need to be a quorum of 128 people present at the Special Town Meeting.  Mr. Hartnett, Mr. Dillon and Mr. Saball support the article.  Absent were Ms. Wood and Mr. Cunningham.

 

Animal Inspector Appointment - John H. Greenhalgh

Mr. Saball moved to appoint John H. HH HGreenhalgh as the Animal Inspector, for the term to expire April 30, 2005.  Seconded by Mr. Dillon.  Unanimous vote.

 

Nashoba Valley Regional Technical High School Joint Appointment with Moderator and School Committee

A quorum was not present for the meeting.  The appointment was rescheduled to March 8, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.

 

Recreation Commissioner Update

Ms. Kerri Strauss, Recreation Commissioner and Ms. Valerie Jenkins, Town Accountant were present for this portion of the meeting.

 

Mr. Hartnett stated he, Mr. Cunningham and Ms. Kitchen had attended two meetings with Ms. Liza Judge, Recreation Coordinator at which they had discussed the current financial situation with  the recreation department.  Mr. Hartnett stated there was an opening on the Recreation Commission and Mr. Neil Cotoni had submitted a Committee Interest Form.  Mr. Dillon stated the need for three active commissioners.  Mr. Dillon stated the Commissioners need to decide if the Recreation Department should go forward, determining if it should downsize or if there is duplication of programs, which could be provided by another department or facility.  Ms. Wood stated the audit appeared pretty basic and asked why it had not been done previously.  Ms. Strauss stated she had the same question. 

Mr. Hartnett questioned the fees from rent from Squannacook Hall.  Ms. Kitchen stated the Senior Center gets rents from the rental of the building; the Board could consider giving the Recreation Department monies from rent of Squannacook Hall.  Ms. Kitchen stated the annual rent is approximately $3,000.  Ms. Wood asked why Ms. Judge was not present.  Ms. Strauss stated Ms. Judge knew about the meeting but she (Strauss) thought she could answer the Board's questions.  Mr. Hartnett asked Ms. Strauss if she thought the Commissioners can turn the department around.  Ms. Strauss said yes with some help.  Ms. Strauss stated the need to go over all programs with a fine-tooth comb, cutting programs, which have lost money or didn't have good attendance.  Ms. Strauss stated she did not believe the department could pay back the deficit in three months.  Mr. Dillon stated paying back the deficit should be part of the plan.  Ms. Wood asked Ms. Jenkins to comment.  Ms. Jenkins stated her concern was two-fold; the revolving fund can only pay for direct cost to the program and incidentals i.e. basketball, however needing someone to run QuickBooks is not.  If dealing with children there is a need for instructors who are trained in first aid and CORI approved.  Ms. Jenkins stated there is a massive amount of administrative work and the revolving fund doesn't cover administrative costs. 

Mr. Hartnett stated the Board should appoint Mr. Cotoni.  Ms. Kitchen asked if the Board would like to meet with him first.  Mr. Dillon stated Mr. Cotoni should be made aware of what is going to be expected of the Commissioners.  The Board concurred to meet with Mr. Cotoni.

 

Emergency Management Agency Appointment - Francis Cusack

Mr. Dillon moved to appoint Francis Cusack to the Emergency Management Agency for the vacant one-year term to expire June 30, 2004.  Seconded by Mr. Saball.  Unanimous vote.

 

Memorandum of Agreement with Dodson Associates Ltd. RE:  Brownloaf Property

Ms. Wood stated she had met with Harry Dodson as suggested by Attorney Mark Bobrowski.  Ms. Wood stated the Board had decided earlier this year to have a consultant look at the land.  Ms. Wood stated there was very little David E. Ross Associates, Inc. could do without concept plan.  Ms. Wood stated the Concept Plan would determine if there is a possibility of supporting an Affordable Housing development.  Ms. Kitchen asked who would be overseeing the project.  Ms. Wood and Mr. Cunningham stated they would oversee it.

Ms. Wood moved to execute the Agreement between the Town of Groton and Dodson Associates, Ltd. for Architectural & Planning Services for the development of an Affordable Housing schematic plan for the Brownloaf property as outlined in the agreement dated February 18, 2004.  Seconded by Mr. Cunningham.  Unanimous vote.

 

Appointment - Election Workers

Ms. Onorina Maloney, Town Clerk was present for this portion of the meeting. 

Mr. Dillon asked if these were new workers, how they were selected and if they were required to be balanced along party affiliation.  Ms. Maloney stated they were new workers who had volunteered and there was a party balance.

 

Mr. Saball moved to appoint Bonnie P. Biocchi, Stephen P. Boszenowski, Marvin J. Caldwell, Karen R. Gannon, Nancy MacGregor, Gregory W. Maloney Jr., & Richard Manley as Election Worker(s) for the term to expire June 30, 2004.  Seconded by Mr. Dillon.  Unanimous vote.

 

Capital Planning Committee Appointment

Mr. Dillon moved to appoint James Patierno to the Capital Planning Committee for two-year term to expire June 30, 2004.  Seconded by Mr. Saball.  Unanimous vote.

 

One Day Liquor License - First Parish Church, March 27, 2004 6:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Mr. Saball moved to approve a One-Day Wine & Malt Liquor License for Paul Funch on Saturday, March 27, 2004 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the First Parish Church of Groton, One Powder House Road, Groton, Mass.  Seconded by Mr. Dillon.  Unanimous vote.

 

MBTA Representative

Mr. Saball moved to appoint Dann Chamberlin as representative to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Advisory Board term to expire May 20, 2004.  Seconded by Mr. Dillon.  Unanimous vote.

 

Review Regular Session Minutes of February 2, 2004

Ms. Wood moved to approve the Regular Session Minutes of February 2, 2004.  Seconded by Mr. Dillon.  Unanimous vote.

 

Administrative Officer Update

Ms. Kitchen asked if the Board would like Town Counsel's Representative David Doneski present at the Special Town Meeting.  The Board concurred it would be advantageous to have Attorney Doneski present for questions regarding eminent domain.

Ms. Kitchen stated Ms. Chojnowski had contacted her stating the lighting will be changed for comparison from the Library crosswalk to Powderhouse Road, and asked the Board to view the change.

Ms. Kitchen asked if the Board wanted Town Counsel present at the March 15, 2004 STM or available by phone.  Mr. Hartnett and Mr. Saball stated they would like Town Counsel present.  The Board concurred.

 

Selectmen Liaison Updates

Ms. Kitchen stated there were some interested parties for the positions on the Hydrant Fee Task Force Committee.  Ms. Kitchen stated the Committee would have representation from the Finance Committee, Capital Planning Committee and 3 At-Large members (1 from each district).  Mr. Webber would be the Finance Committee representative and possibly Mr. Nordblom from Capital Planning.  Ms. Wood stated she needed to speak with Mr. Cunningham because they had a fundamental difference of opinion.

 

Mr. Hartnett stated the Water Department has voted to level fund the hydrant fee budget and commended the Water Commissioners for their efforts.

Ms Wood stated the Planning Board might be trading duplexes by allowing in-law apartments in the zoning.

Mr. Dillon stated he would be meeting with Mr. Hartnett and Woodard & Currin regarding Lost Lake.

Ms. Wood stated she and Mr. Dillon had been driving in West Groton looking for potential parking spots.  Ms. Wood stated it looked like additional spaces could be built behind Squannacook Hall and the adjacent church.  Ms. Wood stated after the controversy over the new park plan, she and the Highway Superintendent Delaney had been looking and may have three (3) additional parallel spots on Townsend Road.

Mr. Hartnett stated he and Mr. Dillon had met with the Facility Manager of NEBS regarding the Mill Run project.  Mr. Hartnett stated the Manager had agreed to come to the meeting on Thursday.  Mr. Dillon stated NEBS was not going to commit any money.

 

Ms. Wood moved to adjourn at 8:50 p.m.  Seconded by Mr. Dillon.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                    ______________________________

Approved:  _____________________________        Respectfully submitted,

                      John L. Saball, Clerk                                    Kathleen Newell, Office Assistant

 

Date Approved:  April 5, 2004