LOCAL NEWS CLIPS

MEALS TAX

Board Chairman Josh Degen asked the Board if they wanted to consider applying the local meals tax option to restaurants in Groton. If so, the board should consider placing an article on the October 20 Fall Town Meeting warrant for voter action. He pointed out that if this tax were in place last year, it would have generated $100K in revenue for the town.

NO TOWN COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Although there had been discussion of creating the new position of 'Communications Officer' to field questions from the press and public, following a complaint by Art Campbell of the Groton Line that the Town Manager does not respond to his inquiries, Degen reported that after meeting and discussing this with town manager and town clerk, they would like to try Opt In - using emails - as a way to get general information out to the public adding that the feeling was that creation of a communications officer would be inappropriate. Degen cautioned that it is exploratory right now to see if it can work for communication needs.

FINANCE COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

The Board appointed two new members to the Finance Committee, Art Prest and Mark Bacon, to replace exiting members Steve Webber and Joe Crowley who both resigned from the committee. Both candidates were interviewed by the FinCom at their last meeting and both were highly recommended for appointment. There had been several other residents who expressed interest somewhat late in the process, and they were encouraged to pursue their desire to serve on other committees in the community.

LOST LAKE SEWER COMMITTEE REBORN WITH NEW NAME

The Lost Lake Sewer Advisory Committee will now have a new name - the Lost Lake Watershed Committee - and will expand its membership from five to seven. Anyone interested in joining this committee should fill out Interest Forms that are available in Selectmen's office.

TOWN-OWNED REAL ESTATE MAY GET NEW MARKETING EXPOSURE

The Board voted to accept the lone bid from Realtor John Carver to market and sell town-owned properties, specifically Prescott School and Tarbell School, by including these properties as listings on Multiple Listings Site and other sites available to realtors. Under this agreement, Carver would receive a five percent commission or $5,000, whichever was greater if a sale were to be made.

A notice was sent by the town to 10 real estate firms in Groton, Littleton and Pepperell, but Carver was the only bidder. The agreement with Carver will need to be approved by voters at fall town meeting.