BOARD OF SELECTMEN

FEBRUARY 6, 2006

REGULAR SESSION MINUTES

 APPROVED

 

Present:  George F. Dillon, Jr., Chair; John L. Saball, Vice Chair; Robert W. Nordblom, Clerk; Peter S. Cunningham, Member; Mihran Keoseian, Member; Jean E. Kitchen, Administrative
Assistant; and Kathleen Newell, Office Assistant

The meeting opened at 7:05 P.M.

 

Order of Taking  Wharton Row

Ms. Kitchen stated that this was the last step in the process of road acceptance.

Mr. Saball moved an Order of Taking for Wharton Row, as further described in the Order of Taking drafted by Town Counsel, dated February 6, 2006.  Seconded by Mr. Nordblom. Unanimous vote.

Capital Planning Committee Appointment  Michael Hackney

Mr. Saball moved to appoint Michael Hackney to the Capital Planning Committee for the vacant unexpired two-year term, term to expire June 30, 2007. 

 

OTHER BUSINESS

Special License  Charity Wine Pouring  Groton Public Library Endowment Events, Inc.

Mr. Saball moved to approve a Charity Wine Pouring License for the Groton Public Library Endowment Events, Inc. for a wine tasting event to be held in the dining hall at Groton School on Saturday, March 18, 2006 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. contingent upon approval from the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission; and receipt of certificate of insurance and $40.00 license fee.  Seconded by Mr. Nordblom. Unanimous vote.

 

Adoption of National Incident Management System (NIMS)

Mr. Saball moved to that the Town of Groton recognize and adopt the principles and polices of the National Incident Management System.  Seconded by Mr. Nordblom.  Unanimous vote.

 

Trust for Public Land Steering Committee Appointment

Mr. Saball moved to approve the Committee Charge for the Trust for Public Lands Steering Committee and appoint the following members: Edward J. McNierney as Representative of the Groton Conservation Trust; Bruce W. Clements as Alternate Representative of the Conservation Commission; Craig S. Auman as Representative of the Conservation Commission, Alternate

Joshua A. Degen as Representative of the Planning Board; Scott O. Wilson as Representative of the Planning Board, Alternate; George F. Dillon, Jr. as Representative of the Board of Selectmen, Alternate; Peter S. Cunningham as Representative of the Board of Selectmen

Arthur Badge Blackett as Representative of the Trust for Public Lands; Chris LaPointe as Representative of the Trust for Public Lands; Richard A. Hughson as Representative of the Community Preservation Committee; Stuart J. Shuman as Representative of the Finance Committee and Michelle Collette, Barbara Ganem and Christine Collins as Advisory Members; Terms to expire May 1, 2006  Seconded by Mr. Nordblom.  Unanimous vote.

 

Discussion of Health Insurance Percentage for By-law Employees

Mr. Dillon stated that there would be an informational meeting with the by-law employees on Thursday at 9:00 a.m.   Mr. Dillon noted that the Town was still negotiating with two unions and had completed negotiations with the other two bargaining units and progress was being made in health insurance premium sharing.  Mr. Dillon noted that currently the teachers contract called for a 21% employee share; highway/transfer station/water dept. contract is 20% and dispatch has a step increase starting at 17%.

 

Mr. Dillon also noted that although the budgeting process is ongoing, it still appears that it will be very difficult if not impossible to add new personnel or added hours.  Mr. Keoseian stated that the rising health care costs are an unfortunate trend, but asked if after the budget process the Town Accountant could produce a snapshot of the benefits of each employee for a total package so that the Town can stay competitive.

 

Prioritization of New Positions and Hourly Increase Budgets

Mr. Dillon stated there was a need to prioritize the request for new positions and additional hours.  The Board individually prioritized as follows:

 

Positions   Selectmen	Admin	BOA add hrs	COA	EMA	FIRE	High- Way	Library	Personnel	Water
Dillon					3	2		1
Saball					2			1	3
Nordblom					3	2		1
Cunningham					1	3	4	2
Keoseian					3	2		1

 

Mr. Saball noted that he needed more information on the Water Departments request for additional hours.  Mr. Keoseian stated that the Fire Chief had alluded that there was a possibility that the additional position could be self supporting.  Mr. Dillon stated that he believed the Fire Chief would be using ambulance receipts and not doing all minor capital requested. 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT

Ms. Kitchen gave an update on Mill Street, stating that there is some signage which needs to be corrected before Mass Highway will consider any other changes to the road.  Mr. Saball asked if the next step would be communicating to them that there has been compliance and asked if the ongoing water problem could be mentioned.

 

SELECTMEN LIAISON UPDATE

Mr. Dillon stated that there would be a panel discussion on invasive plants held at the Senior Center on February 28, 2006 at 7:00 with a snow date of March 7, 2006.  Mr. Dillon stated that there were vacancies on the Sign Committee.  Mr. Dillon stated that next week the Trust for Public Land would be on the agenda to discuss the Surrenden Farms/Campbell Trust land purchase with a question and answer period following the presentation.

Mr. Cunningham stated that he had met with the Recreation Director and reviewed the core programs that the recreation department is running and will be holding a meeting for interested parties.  Mr. Cunningham stated that the TPL had its first working group meeting that morning and

 

Mr. Saball moved to enter into Executive Session at 7:55 p.m. in accordance with MGL Chapter 39, Section 23B, for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to litigation pending between the Town of Groton and Groton Residential Garden/Mill Run Plaza and will not reconvene in Open Session.

 

                                                                                    ______________________________

Approved:  _____________________________                   respectfully submitted,

                  Robert W. Nordblom, Clerk                                   Kathleen Newell

                                                                                    Office Assistant

Date Approved:  February 13, 2006