BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MARCH 27, 2006

REGULAR SESSION MINUTES

APPROVED

 

Present:  George F. Dillon, Jr., Chair; John L. Saball, Vice Chair (arrived at 6:49 p.m.); 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 6:45 p.m.

 

Personnel Board RE:  Cost of Living Adjustment

Ms. Patti Modzelewski was present for this portion of the meeting.

 

Ms. Modzelewski stated that the Personnel Board was recommending 2.5% Cost of Living Adjustment for FY07.  Ms. Modzelewski stated that the Personnel Board had reviewed the Consume Price Index and Social Security Index which were currently both at 4.1% but had been fluctuating due to the cost of fuel.

 

Mr. Saball moved to approve a 2.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for FY07 for the Personnel By-law employees.  Seconded by Mr. Nordblom.  Unanimous vote.

 

 Joint Public Hearing with Finance Committee RE:  Annual and Special Town Meeting Warrant

[    X        ]               1.             Hearing Opened at 7:00 P.M.

 

Mr. Saball moved to open the Joint Public hearing at 7:04 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Nordblom.  Unanimous vote. 

 

[    X        ]               2.             Read Legal Notice

                                                Published March 17, 2006, Groton Herald

 

[   X         ]               3.             Query audience for support either written or in person.

 

The Board reviewed the Annual Town Meeting and Special Town meeting warrant articles (enclosed herein).

 

Mr. Steve Webber suggested removing articles 27-29 due to lack of funds.  The Board agreed to remove the articles.

 

[   X         ]               4.             Query audience for objection either written or in person.

 

[    X        ]               5.             Hearing Closed at 7:38 P.M.

 

Mr. Saball moved to close the Joint Public hearing at 7:38 p.m.   Seconded by Mr. Nordblom.  Unanimous vote.

 

OTHER BUSINESS

Appointment  Board of Registrars

Mr. Saball moved to appoint Dale A. Martin as Registrar of Voters for the three-year term to expire March 31, 2009.  Seconded by Mr. Nordblom.  Unanimous vote.

 

Appointment  Housing Partnership  Carolyn Perkins

Mr. Saball moved to appoint Carolyn Perkins to the Housing Partnership for the vacant one-year term, term to expire June 30, 2006.  Seconded by Mr. Nordblom.  Unanimous vote.

 

Request for Use of Town Hall- Groton Garden Club

Mr. Saball moved to authorize the Groton Garden Club to hold its Annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 13^th, from 8:30 AM to Noon, at the Town Hall at 173 Main Street.  Seconded by Mr. Nordblom.  Unanimous vote.

 

Appointment  Computer Committee  Kevin McKenzie

Mr. Saball moved to appoint Kevin McKenzie to the Computer Committee for the vacant one-year term, term to expire June 30, 2006.  Seconded by Mr. Nordblom.  Unanimous vote.

 

Appointment  Sign Committee  Alberta Erickson

Mr. Cunningham moved to appoint Alberta E. Erickson to the Sign Committee to fill vacant one-year term, term to expire June 30, 2006.  Seconded by Mr. Keoseian.  Unanimous vote.

 

Adopt-A-Road Signs

Ms. Kitchen stated that she had attended a meeting with Dan Barton, Tom Delaney, and Mr. Saball to discuss the problematic issue with the growing amount of adopt-a-road signs.  Ms. Kitchen stated that the adopt-a-road program had been started by the Boyscouts and its participants are recognized annually with a certificate of appreciation.  Ms. Kitchen stated that concerns have been raised about the amount of signs being erected.  Ms. Kitchen stated that there has been confusion over the procedure of obtaining sign permits as there are three entities that have jurisdiction over the various signage within the Town.  Ms. Kitchen stated the Sign Committee would meet with the Historic District Commission to review procedures.

 

Ms. Kitchen stated that a recommendation had been made to allow no new adopt-a-road signs and those existing signs will be grandfathered for two years starting from November 2005.  A letter has been drafted to the sign holders explaining the decision.

 

Mr. Keoseian asked if the existing sign holders had obtained permits and stated that those who had not should be required to go through the process.  Ms. Kitchen stated that all had obtained a permit of sorts prior to last November.

 

Mr. Dillon asked for a consensus of the Board.  The members affirmed.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT

Ms. Kitchen stated that there had been a request to form a Community Land Search Committee for the Community Center.

Ms. Kitchen stated that the Legal expenses had been excessive and she would need to ask for a reserve fund transfer.

 

SELECTMEN LIAISION REPORT

Mr. Cunningham referenced the previous request from the Housing Authority to utilize Town Counsel stating that documents had been forwarded to Town Counsel for review from Attorney Robert Collins and the cost should not exceed $5,000.

 

Mr. Keoseian reported on the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District budget.  The Town of Dunstable thinks it can support 4.1% in the budget.  The School had reduced to 4.6% and as yet there had been no recommendation from the Finance Committee.

Mr. Dillon stated that there would be a joint budget meeting on Wednesday at the High School Library.  Mr. Dillon stated that Ms. Norma Garvin of the COA had been recognized by the House of Representatives as an Unsung Heroine.  Mr. Dillon noted that there would be a negotiations meeting with the SEIU 888 Union on Wednesday.

 

Mr. Cunningham stated that the TPL Steering would be attending a site walk of the Surrenden Farm property on April 22, 2006.

 

Mr. Dillon stated that there had been mention of posting a map of the land proposed it the STM

Article.  Ms. Kitchen stated that it may be possible to post it to the Towns website.

 

MINUTES

Mr. Saball moved to approve the Regular Session Minutes of December 19, 2005.  Seconded by Mr. Nordblom.  4 in favor, 1 abstention (Saball).

Mr. Saball moved to approve the Regular Session Minutes of January 3, 2006, as amended.  Seconded by Mr. Nordblom.  Unanimous vote.

Mr. Saball moved to approve the Regular Session Minutes of February 27, 2006.  Seconded by Mr. Nordblom. Unanimous vote.

Mr. Saball moved to approve the Regular Session Minutes of March 6, 2006.  Seconded by Mr. Nordblom.  Unanimous vote.

Mr. Cunningham moved to approve and release the Executive Session Minutes of January 3, 2006.  Seconded by Mr. Nordblom.  Unanimous vote.

 

Mr. Saball moved to enter into Executive Session in accordance with MGL Chapter 39, Section 23B, for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to contract negotiations for Personal Contracts for the Fire Chief, Police Chief, Administrative Officer, and Town Accountant and will not reconvene in Open Session.  Seconded by Mr. Nordblom.  Roll Call Vote:  Dillon  yes; Saball  yes; Nordblom  yes; Cunningham  yes; Keoseian  yes.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    ______________________________

Approved:  _____________________________                   respectfully submitted,

                  Robert W. Nordblom, Clerk                                   Kathleen Newell

                                                                                    Office Assistant

 

Date Approved:  April 10, 2006