BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MAY 24, 2004

REGULAR SESSION MINUTES

 “UN-APPROVED”

 

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

 

Absent:  Robert W. Nordblom, Member

 

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

 

Adopt-A-Road Thank You - Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club

Mr. Stan Pozerski and members of the Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club were present for this portion of the meeting and accepted the Certificate of Appreciation.  Mr. Pozerski stated the club cleaned the roadway monthly.  Mr. Cunningham stated the Club plays a vital role in providing communication for many community functions and emergency events.  Mr. Ben Johnson stated the Club would be providing 

 

Reorganize the Board

The Board concurred to delay the reorganization until next week when all members would be present.

 

Summer Schedule

The Board reviewed summer calendars and concurred to present Ms. Kitchen with any vacation dates next week.

 

Chief Mulhern RE:  Statistic Report RE:  Racial Profiling and Reserve Officer Appointment

Chief of Police Robert Mulhern was present for this portion of the meeting.

 

Chief Mulhern reviewed a study performed by Northeastern University on Racial Profiling.  Chief Mulhern stated the Town of Groton had been one of ten communities, which had passed all criteria in the Boston area.  Chief Mulhern stated there were some issues with the study, which does not claim that all the communities, which did not pass all areas of the test are in fact profiling.  Mr. Cunningham asked how if the data was obtained solely from traffic stops.  Chief Mulhern stated only from motor vehicle citations.  Mr. Saball commended the Chief and his department on having a good perception from the State.  Chief Mulhern stated perception is the most important point and need to have the population know that racial profiling is wrong.

 

Chief Mulhern introduced the candidates for part-time and part-time Reserve Officers, stating all appointments would be contingent upon receipt of psychological testing results.

 

Mr. Cunningham moved to appoint Ryan P. Griffin as regular part-time Reserve Patrolman for the term to expire June 30, 2004, contingent upon psychological examination results.  Seconded by Mr. Saball.  4 in favor, 1 absent (Nordblom).

 

Mr. Cunningham moved to appoint Michael C. Crowley as regular part-time Reserve Patrolman for the term to expire June 30, 2004, contingent upon psychological examination results.  Seconded by Mr. Saball.  4 in favor, 1 absent (Nordblom).

 

Mr. Cunningham moved to appoint Sean K. Lando as regular part-time Patrolman for the term to expire June 30, 2004, contingent upon psychological examination results.  Seconded by Mr. Saball.  4 in favor, 1 absent (Nordblom).

 

Chief Mulhern stated the Board should have received a resignation letter from Officer Fortunato and the Chief would be moving quickly to fill that position.

 

Dan Emerson and Bruce Easom, Community Preservation Research Committee RE:  Community Preservation Act - Next Step

Mr. Dan Emerson, Mr. Bruce Easom, Mr. Bruce Clements and Mr. Mike Roberts of the CPRC were present for this portion of the meeting. 

 

Mr. Emerson stated the Committee had met after the Town Meeting and were looking for advice from the Board of Selectmen as to the next step for the Committee.  Mr. Emerson stated the Committee had made recommendations for the make up of the committee and will submit them to the Board of Selectmen, the CRPC members feel they have completed their task.  Mr. Easom stated the CRPC recommended a seven (7) member committee, five required by the CPA Act, and two (2) from the community at-large members; three-year terms; the law allows the at-large members to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen and the CRPC would recommend the Board appointing all members.  Mr. Easom suggested in implementing the seven members of the Committee, to stagger the first year appointment:  (2) members for a one-year term; (2) members for a two-year term; (3) members for a three-year term.  Ms. Kitchen asked if the Committee had researched if it could be on the September or November ballot, if it can be on a ballot or need to call a Special Town Meeting.  Mr. Cunningham stated the forming of the Committee would be a warrant article, which would be at a Town Meeting the ballot question would follow after that.  Ms. Kitchen stated a separate ballot would be necessary.  Ms. Wood questioned whether the Board could get involved with the formation of the advocacy group on behalf of the CPA acting as a political action group.  Ms. Wood further stated CPRC members had done a tremendous job.  Mr. Clements stated the committee was a research committee and should be dissolved as some members wished to become members of the advocacy group.  Mr. Cunningham stated the biggest task would be to educate the public as to the positive aspects of this tax.  Mr. Emerson stated it was a surcharge.  Mr. Rogers stated the Community Preservation at the state level is very willing to help.   

 

Ms. Wood moved to dissolve the Community Preservation Research Committee, effective immediately.  Seconded by Mr. Cunningham.  4 in favor, 1 absent (Nordblom).

 

Dog Officer Susan Conley RE:  Dog Laws and Procedures for Dog Complaints

Dog Officer Susan Conley gave the Board a review of the procedures for complaints.  Ms. Conley stated the Police Department had donated a pager for her use.  Mr. Dillon asked how the new pound was working.  Ms. Conley stated there was minimal painting and landscaping which needed to be done.  Ms. Wood suggested Ms. Conley make a wish list of items, which need to be done as part of her goals and objectives.  Ms. Conley stated things have been pretty quiet and there had been no need to come before the Board.  Ms. Conley stated she would bring some by-law changes before the Board at a later date.  The Board thanked Ms. Conley for a job well done.

 

Maria Casey, Admin. Secretary RE: Annual Reappointment/Appointment Process

Ms. Maria Casey, Administrative Secretary to the Board of Selectmen was present for this portion of the meeting.

Ms. Casey stated there was a letter in the Board's packets, which had been drafted last year and was effective for all people coming up for reappointment.  Ms. Casey referenced a list of all reappointments for the Board's review, asking the members to submit any holds or edits to her by Wednesday.  Ms. Casey stated the vacancy list is updated at least once a month on the cable channel.  Mr. Saball suggested having frequent contact with the Chairs of the boards to get suggestions on repopulating the boards.  Ms. Casey stated she had had a problem, which she has been unable to resolve.  When a Committee Interest form is received Ms. Casey forwards the form to the Committee Chair, however a month may pass before anyone responds to the applicant.  Mr. Dillon stated the Board needed to take a move active role in highlighting committee vacancies.  Ms. Connie Sartini, Groton Landmark, stated she would be willing to work with Ms. Kitchen to write an article detailing the need for committee members.

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

Goal Setting Discussion

The Board reviewed its FY04 Goals and Objectives (enclosed herein).

 

Elected Officials Health Insurance Policy

Mr. Dillon stated the amendment defined a regular 20+ hour a week job.  Ms. Kitchen stated there were currently two people in that category, the Town Clerk and Highway Surveyor

Mr. Cunningham moved to amend the Health Insurance for Elected Officials Policy adopted by the Board of Selectmen on April 26, 2004, with Town Clerk and Highway Surveyor described in a footnote; with Town Counsel approval. Seconded by Ms. Wood.  4 in favor, 1 absent (Nordblom).

 

Liaison Consideration

The Board concurred to delay the Liaison Consideration until next week when all members would be present.

 

Conflict of Interest Letter

Mr. Dillon read the letter.  Ms. Wood added, "Please feel free to contact our office if additional copies are needed."  The Board concurred to send the letter to the Chairs of the Committees and Boards.

 

Review/Approve Regular Session Minutes of May 17, 2004

Mr. Cunningham moved to approve the Regular Session Minutes of May 17, 2004, as amended.  Seconded by Ms. Wood.  4 in favor, 1 absent (Nordblom).

 

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT

Ms. Kitchen reviewed this week's AO Report.  Ms. Kitchen stated she had done a site walk of the Norris Property with Barbara Ganem of the Conservation Commission.

 

SELECTMEN LIAISON UPDATES

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                    ______________________________

Approved:  _____________________________        Respectfully submitted,

                      John L. Saball, Clerk                                    Kathleen Newell, Office Assistant

                                                                                   

 

 

Date Approved:  June 2, 2004