BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MEETING MINUTES

OCTOBER 10, 2006

APPROVED

 

Present:  Peter S. Cunningham, Chair; George F. Dillon, Jr., Vice Chair; John L. Saball, Clerk; Mihran Keoseian, Member; and Jeff Ritter, Interim Administrative Officer.

 

Chairman Cunningham called the meeting to order at 6:55 p.m.

 

Employee Recognition  Troy Conley for 20 Years of Service  Highway Department

Mr. Conley was not present for the recognition.  Mr. Cunningham and the other members of the Board expressed gratitude for Mr. Conleys years of service.

 

Bob Rafferty, Woodard & Curran RE:  Recap Wastewater Projects, West Groton and Lost Lake

Sewer Commissioner Jim Gmeiner was present for this portion of the meeting.

 

Mr. Gmeiner stated that the Sewer Commission had not been pursuing the projects because the Lost Lake area is outside the sewer district, but he thought the issue warranted the Board of Selectmen appointing a committee to follow up on Woodard and Currans recommendations.

 

Mr. Rafferty stated that the last submittal to the Town had been in December 2004 and the State had replied in September 2005 and there had been a follow up meeting with the BoS in October of 2005.  The paper work is complete on what was considered Phase 1.  Half of the funding was to look at the sewer district and to look at what the Town can do for the capacity restriction:  capacity has been purchased from Pepperell and the leaks have been repaired for the storm water run off which has saved on capacity.

 

Mr. Rafferty focused on the Lost Lake area, which has no town water and the sewerage is affecting the water quality of the lake and private wells.  The topography of the area is challenging.  There had been options discussed previously i.e. going to Devens and keeping the water local.  Mr. Rafferty reviewed a map showing the areas that would support systems.  It is not just a waste water issue but also a watershed issue.

 

Mr. Rafferty reviewed his visual presentation as follows (enclosed herein):

1.      Management Solutions

a.       Septic management program

b.      Community aggregation plan

c.       Watershed management plan

 

2.      Specific recommendations for the next phase

a.       Create a working group

b.      Institute a watershed management plan for Lost Lake

c.       Plug data gaps

 

3.      For each potential disposal site the Department of Environmental Protection requires:

a.       An onsite investigation of each potential site.

b.      Public outreach and education

c.       A hydro geological computer model

d.      A hydro geological report

e.       Filing of an ENF (Environmental Notification Form)

 

Mr. Rafferty stated that there are choices to make, both by the people who live there and the community as a whole.  Boundaries need to be refined; ownership and boundaries would come next.

 

Mr. Cunningham asked if Mr. Rafferty were proposing a total treatment plant or only wastewater.  Mr. Rafferty stated that it would be a true facility.  There are 160 properties in the area that are built upon.

 

Mr. Cunningham asked about West Groton.  Mr. Rafferty stated there was a need to meet with the people to discern what the needs are and if it were less than 5000 gallons per day a SDS could be used.

 

Mr. Dillon referenced that Mr. Rafferty had attended a meeting with DEP and asked what their position was with regard to Lost Lake.  Mr. Rafferty stated that they are concerned about the water quality, but they are taking a wait and see approach. 

 

Mr. Saball asked about the alternatives and what were the reasons for focusing on a cluster.  Mr. Rafferty stated that ground water, treatment and discharging into the aquifer were the focal points.  The only control the Town has is the inter-municipal agreement with Pepperell.

 

Mr. Rafferty stated that if the amount was less than 10,000 gallons per day it would not be considered a permitted project and reducing the number of pits would lower the cost.  Mr. Rafferty stated that he did not think that the Ayer/Devens potential was off the table, but available capacity would need to be investigated.

 

Mr. Saball asked what the effect there would be on the groundwater if the waste water were shipped out.  Mr. Rafferty stated that he had not looked at the details.

 

Mr. Cunningham stated there was a need to create a working group to take this to the next level.  Mr. Rafferty recommended a core group and have them take the issues to the neighborhoods to meet with the residents.  Mr. Rafferty stated that there can never be enough public outreach.  He would be glad to come and help them get started.

 

Mr. Cunningham stated that people are suffering with these issues and the core interested parties would be from the Board of Health, Conservation Commission, Planning Board and Sewer Commission.

 

Al Collins, Historical Commission RE:  Segment 1  Community Wide Preservation Project

Mr. Cunningham stated that there was a CPA article to start segment 2 and the BoS had been curious about the status of segment 1. 

 

Mr. Collins stated that segment one had started in January 2006 in conjunction with Historic Specialist Sandford Johnson and the Historical Commission would be reviewing the final documents tomorrow.

 

Mr. Collins described the project as an evolutionary process, not knowing what is unknown until it is uncovered.  It will be completed but maybe not as had originally been mapped out.

 

Mr. Collins stated that segment 2 would be taking what was uncovered in segment 1 and expanding upon it.  Massachusetts Historical had no information on the Surrenden Farms properties.  Mr. Collins stated that the Historical Commission view itself as the custodians of the historical character of the town.  Segment 2 consists of 100 homes and Surrenden Farm and the West Groton Mill area.  Segment 1 documented the center of town as a historical area and it is hoped to get the town center on the national register.

 

Darra Garrison RE:  One-Day Liquor License, October 21, 2006 at First Parish Church

Mr. Dillon moved to approve the One Day Wine & Malt License for Robert DeGroot at the Williams Barn, 160 Chicopee Row on Saturday, October 21, 2006, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. contingent upon a Certificate of Insurance.  Seconded by Mr. Saball.  3 in favor, 1 absent (Keoseian).

 

Michelle Collette RE:  Rocky Hill Affordable Housing Units Designation in Perpetuity

Ms. Michelle Collette, Ms. Carolyn Perkins, Ms. Chris Pude and Ms. Norma Mallet were present for this portion of the meeting.

 

Ms. Collette stated that this was very exciting for the town.  In 2001 Mr. Moulton applied for several permits and the Planning Board had asked him to build the affordable units first.  Nine affordable units on Sandy Pond Road will be sold by the Housing Authority.  Ms. Collette stated that she had heard from Town Counsel Deborah Eliason who had negotiated with Mass Housing that the affordable restriction will run for perpetuity and the restriction complies with the Master Plan.

 

Ms. Pude commended the Town of Groton and stated that they are signing the leases and the tenants will be moving in on Sunday, October 15, 2006.  Ms. Perkins stated that eight of the nine units are going to Groton families.  Mr. Cunningham expressed his thanks for Mr. Moulton and commended Ms. Collette for her hard work.  Mr. Dillon stated that Mr. Moulton has done a good job on all his projects in Town.

 

Mr. Dillon moved to approve the Affordable Housing Restriction for 34, 36 and 38 Sandy Pond Road.  Seconded by Mr. Saball.  3 in favor, 1 absent (Keoseian).

 

Other Business

Blue Ribbon Town Governance Committee Update

The next meeting is on Thursday and they will be laying out and organizing the timeline.

 

Surrenden Farm Committee Update

Mr. Cunningham stated that the Committee had met this morning and Mr. Blackett had given an update regarding the fund raising efforts that the Trust for Public Lands was conducting.

 

Review License Fees for 2007

Mr. Ritter stated that the Town did not want to be on the high or low end of the scale.  Mr. Dillon recommended no change.  Mr. Saball and Mr. Cunningham concurred.

 

Groton Community Foundation Letter RE:  Intergenerational Facility

Mr. Dillon stated that he had a number of comments but would withhold them until the BoS meets with the committee.

 

Mr. Cunningham stated that they are looking for the BoS consideration of the proposed questions and asked to meet with the Board.   Mr. Cunningham stated that the Committee had taken the charge as far as they could and they want to recharge and see if we are on board with that effort.  Mr. Cunningham asked Mr. Ritter to schedule the Committee on a future agenda.

 

Surplus Equipment, Computer Monitor

Mr. Dillon moved to declare the Computer Monitor, Model M9992, Serial Number CN-04N736-47606-2B1-BDD6 as Surplus.  Seconded by Mr. Saball.  3 in favor, 1 absent (Keoseian).

 

Computer Committee Appointment  Jeff Ritter

Mr. Dillon moved to appoint Jeff Ritter to the Computer Committee for the one-year term, term to expire June 30, 2007.  Seconded by Mr. Saball.  3 in favor, 1 absent (Keoseian).

 

Transfer Station Baler Contract

Mr. Dillon moved to execute the Agreement between the Town of Groton and Recycling Mechanical of New England, LLC for the purchase of Transfer Station Baler in the amount of $51,925 and as approved to form by Town Counsel. Seconded by Mr.

 

Report of the Interim Administrative Officer

Mr. Ritter reported on his weeks activities.

 

 

Consent Agenda

Mr. Dillon moved to approve the Payroll warrant dated October 5, 2006.  Seconded by Mr. Saball.   Unanimous vote.

 

Mr. Dillon moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 p.m.  Seconded by Mr. Saball.  3 in favor, 1 absent (Keoseian).

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________            _____________________________

Approved:  John L. Saball, Clerk                                 respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Kathleen Newell, Office Assistant

 

 

 

Enclosure:  (1)  Woodard & Curran Figure 9-9 W. Groton Service Area & Disposal Locations

 

 

 

Date Approved:  February 12, 2007