Town Meeting: 'YES' to Police, Fire & Sewer Extension Requests, 'NO' to Mosquito Control

Increases for specific projects in Groton Police Department and Groton Fire Department were unanimously approved by voters at Monday night's Fall Town Meeting. With 128 voters in attendance, Selectman Josh Degen presented a clear explanation of the requests by the two Public Safety departments and how these funds will be used. Degen said that at last Fall Town Meeting, voters appropriated $60,000 for the renovation of the Public Safety Building following the move by the Fire Department to their new Center Fire Station. Prior to the Fire Department's leaving, an estimate of renovations was completed.

However, once that section of the building was vacated, it became clear that a number of rooms were in violation of electrical code. Many rooms had only one receptacle, and used unsafe power strips. An electrical panel needs to be installed to accommodate current technology and leave room for growth. In addition there are technology upgrades required - including wiring and modifications for equipment to meet the needs of the Dispatch Center, and installation of security measures including cameras and equipment to secure the premises. In addition door access and surveillance will be installed at Town Hall. Voters approved the request for additional funds for these projects of $40,000.

Degen stressed to voters the work done on repairs, painting, and cleaning at the Public Safety Building was performed on a voluntary basis by members of the Police Department during their off hours.

Groton Fire Department also received voter approval for an additional $20,000 to use for a recruit class to strengthen the Call Firefighters and EMTs. The current group has diminished and the town needs to recruit, train and update equipment for new members. Degen said that the with only five full-time members, the Fire Department needs to have a Call Firefighters and EMTs. The current group has diminished and the town needs to recruit, train and update equipment for new members. Degen said that the with only five full-time members, the Fire Department needs to have a large Call Department to continue to answer emergency calls.

DPW

Department of Public Works asked for an additional $8500 for work for a contractor to do checking at the Transfer Station and to continue part-time janitorial work at the Country Club and the Center Fire Station. In addition this person would do janitorial work at Groton Electric Light Dept. According to Degen, GELD would be charged by the DPW at the rate of $30 per hour, $20 of which would be paid to the contractor. He stressed that this was a janitorial contract for a total of 30 hours split among the three areas and assured voters that this did not create a full-time position.

School District

Voters also approved a request for $10,000 from Selectman's budget for two school-related items. The first was $4500 for Groton's share of a three way-split with Dunstable and the School District to hire a consultant to update the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District agreement. Total cost for the project is $13,500, with the only bidder Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools.

A second part of the request was for the Prescott School Reuse Committee to conduct an analysis of the school building to look at the estimated costs for the structural improvements and in particular, following discussion with the Building Commissioner, to understand what is required under existing codes.

Four Corners Sewer

Article #6 on the Town Meeting warrant requested an extension of the Four Corners Sewer District to include an adjacent over 55 residential area at the new Rocky Hill subdivision. Selectman Anna Eliot told voters that officials believe that adding the residential component would enhance the town's chances of receiving a Mass Works Development Grant, if they could demonstrate a public/private partnership. She added that the developer of Robin Hill has agreed to pay all costs associated with adding this parcel.

Linda Diccio Manning, a resident of that area and member of the Four Corners Association, pointed out that when voters approved the Sewer District at the Spring Town Meeting in April 2015, they were told "this was only for economic development" and "not residential. By allowing this mixed use residential into the business sewer, what about other residences?" She stressed that her concern was that this was not being done on a piecemeal basis and "I'd like to see the whole plan."

Eliot said that town officials did not know this information at the April Town Meeting.

Land Use Director Michelle Collette said that the over 55 section of the development planned to use a 'community septic' system at the development site and joining the sewer district was more environmentally sensitive. Town Meeting approved the Sewer extension by voice vote.

Zoning - Flexible Development

The usually perfunctory zoning amendments proposed by the Planning Board were moving forward until discussion came to the Flexible Development section which was not supported by Selectmen based on what they felt was lack of "due process" followed by the Planning Board. Selectman Anna Eliot stated Selectmen's concern, and offered a proposed amendment, to postpone the article indefinitely.

Following a Planning Board public hearing, Planners took input from residents at the session and made changes to the proposed language of the article. Selectmen challenged whether or not this change should have been brought forward to another public hearing since there were adjustments to the original.

Eliot contended that the changes came after the close of the public hearing, and said she had questions on the language of the article.

Town Counsel David Doneski of Koppelman and Paige said, "I don't see any violations of the law....but due process is in the eye of the voters." He added that people have to decide whether there was sufficient information after the hearing. Planner Russ Burke stated, "It is not a violation of due process....to fix the article after the public hearing."

Resident Bob Pine, an attendees who had made suggestions for changes on the Flexible Development to the Planning Board, thanked the Planning Board for listening, noting that the original wording had many more constraints and regulation than the updated version.

Eliot's motion to postpone indefinitely was defeated by voters who went on to approve the article as written.

Mosquito Control

The Board of Health request for $73,000 - per year for the next three years - to join the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project, was rejected by voters. At an earlier meeting of Selectmen, Finance Committee and the finance team, Town Manager expressed concern that with the projected budget only $1,035,103 under the levy limit, this project would reduce available funds by $73,000 and should not be considered at this time. He urged the BOS and FinCom to oppose the article.