BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MARCH 6, 2006

REGULAR SESSION MINUTES

ÒAPPROVEDÓ

 

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 was called to order at 7:01P.M.

 

Public Hearing Ð Community Development Block Grant Program

Attendance sheet enclosed herein.

 

Mr. Saball moved to open the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Nordblom. Unanimous vote.

 

Mr. Dillon read the legal notice which was published in the Groton Herald on February 17, 2006.

 

Ms. Shelly Hatch and Mr. Glenn Eaton were present. Ms. Hatch distributed a handout and reviewed the contents (enclosed herein). Mr. Eaton stated that he had spoken with Ms. Kitchen and he would also be on the agenda next week at 6:45 if the Board agreed to join on the block grant application. Mr. Eaton stated that the Board would need to prioritize the needs and identify areas of need.

 

Ms. Hatch explained that Shirley would be the lead community and all funds and invoices would be through the lead community. Ms. Hatch explained the targeting process and bonus points available. Ms. Hatch noted that there could be more than one target area identified. Ms. Hatch suggested that the Board not close the hearing but continue it until next week at 6:45 p.m.

 

Mr. Cunningham moved that the Town of Groton shall participate in the FFY 06 CDBG funding round for regional housing rehabilitation program. Seconded by Mr. Nordblom. Unanimous vote.

 

Mr. Saball moved to continue the public hearing until 6:45 p.m. on March 13, 2006. Seconded by Mr. Nordblom. Unanimous vote.

 

Appointment Ð Zoning Board of Appeals Ð Alison Manugian

Mr. Dillon asked Ms. Manugian about her background. Ms. Manugian stated that she had been a civil engineer with experience in subdivisions and utility designs prior to becoming a full-time mother. Mr. Cunningham mentioned that Ms. Manugian would need to recuse herself should that firm be represented before the ZBA.

 

Mr. Saball moved to appoint Alison Manugian as Associate Member to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the unexpired vacant one-year term, term to expire June 30, 2006. Seconded by Mr. Nordblom. Unanimous vote.

 

Review Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles

Mr. Dillon stated that there were approximately thirty-two articles and then reviewed the important Annual Town Meeting dates.

 

Mr. Tom Orcutt, Water Superintendent was present and reviewed the Water DepartmentÕs article to transfer from the enterprise fund to pay down debt. Ms. Kitchen clarified that it was to make a debt payment as the enterprise fund could not be used to pay down debt. Mr. Orcutt stated that the purpose was to keep the rates down.

 

Fire Chief Bosselait was present to review the capital items for the Fire Department as follows:

• Replacement of Engine 5, a 23-year old pumping truck which has extensive corrosion and does not meet safety standards. There is the possibility of a trade-in. After next year there will be a change in diesel manufacture which will increase the price by $150,000.
• Request for an SUV was not recommended.
• Request for Plymo-vent at West Groton station was not recommended.

 

Ms. Kitchen asked if there the Chief could do volume purchasing by regionalizing with other towns and get a discount on the fire truck. Chief Bosselait stated he would look into it.

 

Mr. Keoseian asked if the plymo-vents were a part of the 3-4 year plan. Ms. Kitchen stated that it was her understanding that the Capital Program Committee had thought there may be cheaper models available. Chief Bosselait stated that the NPA had recommended direct capture of diesel fumes from the tailpipe and that there was a need to exhaust the diesel from the building. Ms. Michelle Collette was present and voiced support for the Chief in his request for the plymo-vents stating is was for the basic health of the fire fighters and asked the Board of Selectmen to support the request with or without the Capital Planning ProgramÕs recommendation. Ms. Kitchen noted that if the existing system which had been appropriated for was installed there would be approval for the requested system. Ms. Kitchen stated that there seems to be a lag between the monies being appropriated and the installation. Chief Bosselait stated that he was awaiting quotes for electrical work to install 220 volt service at the center station. Mr. Cunningham asked when the system would be installed. Chief Bosselait stated that once he got the quotes, he hoped installation would occur within a few months.

 

Ms. Michelle Collette, Planning Administrator/Earth Removal Inspector was present to review articles. Ms. Collette stated that the Planning Board has four articles on the warrant. Ms. Collette reviewed the zoning articles and stated there would be public hearing on March 23, 2006. Ms. Collette stated that the Earth Removal Advisory Committee was presenting the Stormwater Management by-law and the yearly revolving fund renewal article.

 

Mr. Bruce Dubey, Transfer Station was present to review the baler article. Mr. Dubey stated that the old baler will cost too much to repair and with a new baler he would be able to bale more product and increase revenues. Mr. Dubey stated that the baler should pay for itself within three years.

 

The Board reviewed the articles (draft warrant enclosed herein).

 

Mr. Dillon noted that the AssessorsÕ; Conservation Commission; Town Accountant; Groton Country Club; and Sewer Department would be in on March 13, 2006 to review articles. Ms. Kitchen stated that she had not received anything from the Sign Committee regarding the by-law. Mr. Keoseian stated he would like the Sign Committee to come in and give an update.

 

Mr. Dillon stated that he would like to have the Community Preservation Committee in to also give an update.

 

Ms. Kitchen stated that the budget is usually inserted in the warrant; however the Finance Committee had requested that a summary be inserted so that they may work on the budget up to last moment. Mr. Cunningham stated his preference would be to have the Finance CommitteeÕs best effort go into the warrant and an addendum be distributed at Annual Town Meeting. The Board members concurred.

 

OTHER BUSINESS

Appointment Ð Website Committee Ð Deborah Mendel

Mr. Saball moved to appoint Deborah Mendel to the Web Site Committee for the unexpired vacant one-year term, term to expire June 30, 2006. Seconded by Mr. Nordblom. Unanimous vote.

 

Appointment Ð Trust for Public Land Steering Committee Ð Robert Hanninen

Mr. Saball moved to appoint Robert Hanninen as Representative of the Board of Health to the

Trust for Public Lands Steering Committee, term to expire May 1, 2006. Seconded by Mr. Nordblom. Unanimous vote.

 

Minutes

Mr. Saball moved to approve the Regular Session Minutes of January 23, 2006, as amended. Seconded by Mr. Nordblom. Unanimous vote.

 

Mr. Saball moved to approve the Regular Session Minutes of January 30, 2006. Seconded by Mr. Nordblom. 4 in favor, 1 abstention (Keoseian).

 

Mr. Saball moved to approve the Regular Session Minutes of February 13, 2006. Seconded by Mr. Nordblom. Unanimous vote.

 

ADMINSTRATIVE OFFICE REPORT

Ms. Kitchen stated that the question had been raised as to whether the Special Town Meeting should be held the first night of Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Dillon stated it would be for the purpose of discussing the Surrenden Farm property and a benefit would be that the Special Town Meeting would close that first evening and if the article were approved it may not be brought up again. Ms. Kitchen stated that she would have a date the following week. Mr. Cunningham stated that the issue was time sensitive and the TPL needs to know there is the commitment on the part of the townspeople.

 

SELECTMEN LIAISION REPORT

Mr. Cunningham stated that there would be a meeting on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss with the heads of the Recreation program groups and a discussion will be held about the website and its use as a continuing resource to the townspeople.

 

Mr. Dillon stated that he and Mr. Keoseian had attended the Nashoba Valley Technical High School budget meeting on Tuesday. Mr. Dillon stated that it was an interesting meeting and the bottom line was there would be no change in the budget and GrotonÕs assessment would be $60,000 less than the previous year and the minimum contribution was down significantly . Mr. Keoseian stated that the superintendent had done an excellent job and he would be attending the meeting tomorrow evening.

 

Mr. Cunningham asked what the current situation was with the Groton Dunstable Regional High School. Mr. Dillon stated that they were still working on the budget

 

Mr. Saball moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Nordblom. Unanimous vote.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    ______________________________

Approved: _____________________________                    respectfully submitted,

            Robert W. Nordblom, Clerk                                   Kathleen Newell

                                                                                    Office Assistant

 

 

Enclosures (2): Draft 1 Annual Town Meeting Warrant; Attendance Sheet Community Development Block Grant Pubic Hearing

 

 

Date Approved: March 27, 2006