BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MEETING MINUTES

OCTOBER 16, 2006

APPROVED

 

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

 

Absent:  John L. Saball, Clerk

 

Chairman Cunningham called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

 

Tim Sheehan, Interim Director of Business & Finance, Groton-Dunstable Regional School District RE:  Introduction

Mr. Cunningham welcomed Mr. Sheehan and stated that the Board had enjoyed a good relationship with the School District.

 

Mr. Sheehan reviewed his background in private industry and then as an educator. Mr. Sheehan stated that he was starting his third month with the District and he had spent the first month learning the facilities side of the district.

 

Mr. Keoseian asked Mr. Sheehan how he viewed the budget process and if there were differences from last year to this current year.  Mr. Sheehan stated that they had developed a schedule similarly to last year and was actively looking for input from both Towns Boards of Selectmen.

 

Mr. Cunningham asked if there had been growth in student population.  Mr. Sheehan stated that there had been a slight decrease, approximately 28 students. 

 

Mr. Keoseian asked if anyone was taking an active lead in cost controls for SPED.  Mr. Sheehan stated that district only had a minimal amount of control and they were working with Merrimac cooperative to try and offer in house programs instead of outsourcing.

 

Mr. Keoseian noted the joint meeting with both Board of Selectmen liaisons and Finance Committees and recommended that the level of detail be scaled back, in that the Boards need to know how the District is doing, but less on the public relations aspect for the audience.  Mr. Sheehan stated that he would take the message back to Dr. Genovese.

 

Mr. Dillon asked if there were any projections on health costs.  Mr. Sheehan stated there would be a 10-15% increase and they will form an insurance committee to go through the process.

 

Highway Surveyor Tom Delaney RE:  Traffic Control Sign on Elm Street

Mr. Delaney stated that the Chief of Police had recommended a stop sign at the intersection of Elm and Pleasant Streets. 

 

Mr. Dillon moved to approve the installation of a stop sign at the intersection of Elm and Pleasant Streets as recommended by the Chief of Police and Highway Surveyor.  Seconded by Mr. Keoseian.  3 in favor, 1 absent (Saball).

 

Treasurer Christine Collins RE:  Short-Term Borrowing  Old Ayer Road & Boston Road Sewer Extensions

Ms. Onorina Maloney, Town Clerk and Mr. Jim Gmeiner, Sewer Commissioner were also present for this portion of the meeting.

 

Ms. Collins stated that the bonds were being renewed and has been done every year so the cost is known and the Sewer Department can finish the project and it allows the homeowners options in paying the betterments. 

 

The Board concurred and signed the documents in Ms. Maloneys presence.

 

Frank Belitsky, President, Groton Community Foundation RE:  Intergenerational Community Center

Mr. Bert Tompkins, Mr. Steve Webber, Mr. Kenn Thompson, Ms. Connie Sartini and Mr. Tom Hartnett were also present.

 

Mr. Webber stated that the Foundation had sent a letter to the Board of Selectmen several weeks ago proposing what the Foundation would like to take as a next step.  The GCF was formed to address the future needs of the community.  After reviewing designs and needs of the community, it was determined that an intergenerational community center centrally located was needed.  The GCF would get it started and then hand over the operation of the facility to the Town of Groton.

 

Mr. Webber reviewed the letter which proposes forming a second ad hoc committee to determine if the Groton Country Club site has problems or not before they continue.

 

Mr. Webber stated that the Foundation recommended member representation and asked that the Board make the decision in four weeks time when a new Selectman has been elected.

 

Mr. Cunningham asked the Board for comments.

 

Mr. Dillon referenced the letter and noted that the concept proposed for design was not done and it would be premature to endorse the plan.  He also asked ..if they build it will they come.  Mr. Dillon stated that he would have no problem with the Foundation making a proposal for the Groton Country Club.  He suggested that the GCF review the survey.  Approximately 292 surveys were returned.  Only 14% represented residents 50 years an older, of these only 5% of the responses were from 65 years or older.  The recent Squannacook Hall responses totaled 450 plus responses.  Mr. Dillon stated he would like to take a look at the survey.  Mr. Keoseian stated that he had questions related to the survey particularly that it may not have solicited a full understanding of what the plan encompasses.  Mr. Keoseian stated that he would like to hear more about the feasibility of all the sites and at the previous meeting at least one member of the senior community felt that they were not being represented.

 

Mr. Webber stated that the Foundation was asking for the second phase of the feasibility study to be implemented. The first Ad Hoc Committee had recommended the Groton Country Club site.  Mr. Webber further stated that if the Board appoints a second Ad Hoc Committee it may have access to distributing a survey via the electric or water bills.

 

Mr. Dillon stated that what had interested him regarding the possibility of the Groton Country Club site would be it or some other alternative could sustain the viability of the Country Club for years to come and he would like to take a look at it.

 

Mr. Cunningham stated that he would like to determine the level of support by targeting some of the segments of the community.  Mr. Cunningham stated that he would like to review the matter when there was a full compliment of the board.

 

 

 

 

Robert DeGroot RE:  One-Day Liquor License, William Barn, October 21, 2006

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 and notification of the Police Department.  Seconded by Mr. Keoseian.  3 in favor, 1 absent (Saball).

 

Mr. Dillon suggested that the Board have a policy regarding alcohol on town owned properties and asked that the Interim Administrative Officer look into that possibility.

 

Blue Ribbon Town Governance Committee Update

Mr. Cunningham stated that the Committee had met last Thursday and he had been elected chairman and there were to be rotating secretaries.  The discussion had focused on organization and structure.  There would be meeting on Wednesday with Jeff Ritter and DOR representative Rick Kingsley and Joe Markarian.

 

Mr. Cunningham invited the Board members to attend as he felt it was important for the Committee to hear what direction the Board of Selectmen would like to pursue.

 

Review Proposed Policy RE:  Meeting on Holidays

Mr. Dillon moved to approve the Meetings on Holiday Policy.  Seconded by Mr. Keoseian.  3 in favor, 1 absent (Saball).

 

Appointment Elizabeth CurrierAlternate Representative, Minuteman Nashoba Health Group

Mr. Dillon moved to appoint Elizabeth Currier-Ushamirsky as the Alternate Representative to the Minuteman Nashoba Health Group.  Seconded by Mr. Keoseian.  3 in favor, 1 absent (Saball).

 

Ratify Town Hall/Library Employee Union Contract

Mr. Dillon moved to ratify the contract between the Town of Groton and the Town and Library Employees, Service Employees International Union, Local 888, effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009.   Seconded by Mr. Keoseian. 3 in favor, 1 absent (Saball).

 

Mr. Keoseian commended the participants of the negotiating team, Mr. Dillon, Ms. Kitchen, Ms. Casey and Ms. Jenkins.

 

Report of the Interim Administrative Officer

Mr. Ritter reported on his weeks activities and scheduled meetings.

• MIIA will compensate $20,000 for the replacement of the lawnmower which had burned.

 

Selectmen Liaison Reports

Mr. Cunningham reported that the Surrenden Farms Committee had met and was discussing fundraising, archeological interest and the conservation restriction.  Mr. Dillon suggested having the TPL Steering in for an update.

 

Mr. Dillon stated that he would accept the invitation to the Blue Ribbon Committee meeting.  Mr. Dillon also met with Ms. Casey, Mr. Ritter, Ms. Jenkins, and Ms. Currier to discuss the implementation of the Town Hall/Library Employees, SEIU Local 888 contract.

 

Mr. Keoseian asked that a calendar of the meetings be forwarded to the Board as he would like to attend.

 

 

 

 

Consent Agenda

Mr. Dillon moved to approve the Consent Agenda.  Seconded by Mr. Keoseian.  3 in favor, 1 absent (Saball).

• Review/Approve State Election Warrant
• Designate Jeff Ritter Signatory for Council on Aging Formula Grant Application
• Review/Approve Executive Session Minutes of August 30, 2006
• Approve Weekly Expense and/or Payroll Warrants
• Review/Approve Memorandum of Understanding  Michelle Collette, Town Planner

 

Mr. Dillon moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:19 p.m.  Seconded by Mr. Keoseian.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

 

 

 

Approved:  _____________________________                   _________________________________

      Peter S. Cunningham, Chair                                   respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Kathleen Newell

                                                                                    Office Assistant

 

 

Date Approved:  October 30, 2006