Meeting called to order at 6:12 P.M. at Town Hall.
Present: Elizabeth A. Gorski, Barbara A. Sheehan and William H. Darke, Chairman.
Acceptance of Minutes
Moved Gorski, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To accept the Minutes of the meeting of July 10th, 2006,
as presented.
61A Land Release
The Board’s Assistant reported that Affordable Housing members had been asked whether they would be interested in the 61A land located at 102 King Street and was told by their Chairman that the Committee is not interested. Moved Sheehan, seconded Gorski, and it was
VOTED: To give notice to Robyn M. Wright, 102 King Street, Groveland
that the Town shall not exercise its option to purchase the property
being withdrawn from 61A classification and shown on Assessor’s
Map 26, Parcel 11.
Pentucket Soccer – Request to Use Shanahan Field
The Board was asked to consider the request received from Pentucket Athletic Director Donald DeFelice to use the Shanahan Soccer field from late August through early November. Selectman Sheehan stated she was concerned with a statement that was made in an open meeting that Groveland is paid by Pentucket for use of it’s fields. The Selectmen all acknowledged that the town has never received payment for use of its fields. Moved Sheehan, seconded Gorski, and it was unanimously
VOTED: To approve the request of Pentucket Athletic Director Don DeFelice
for use by Pentucket Soccer of Shanahan fields beginning late August
through early November.
Mr. DeFelice will be notified of the approval subject to the town’s budgets remaining funded; that if cuts are needed due to failure of an override, the approval will be withdrawn because the fields will not be watered or mowed.
Pentucket Budget
The Selectmen, Finance Board and Finance Director again discussed the school budget needs and how to best approach funding approximately $800,000.00. Finance Director Labrecque informed the Board that he had sat with town department heads and asked that they volunteer reductions in their budgets; that by again cutting the funding for the Engineer position and other town budgets he informed the Board that the amount needed to be passed in an override could be reduced by about $200,000.00. Chairman Darke stated he would prefer asking for the entire amount needed and not have town departments taking cuts at this time. Labrecque stated the override needed would be $760,000 + but would have a net effect of $420,000 on the tax bill with the average house valued at $385,000 paying about $170.00. Finance
Chairman Kowalski stated he is very concerned and asked where will the next $3million increase for next year come from; that next year the school will need more and more; that someone need to stand up and say “enough is enough”, that like everyone else they need control their spending; that we are not doing the citizens of our town any justice if we let them continue getting away with the way they are operating.
Chairman Darke stated that whether we like it or not we have to pay the bill in a way that will impact the town as little as possible, agreeing with Kowalski that the school needs to get a handle on their budget. Resident Kathleen Kastrinelis told the Board she doesn’t understand why the town has not applied for State “pot hole” one time money and was told by Selectman Gorski that the town plans to apply but that there is quite a big pool for the money. Gorski also reminded everyone that the town government side of the budget is not extravagant but very bare boned.
The Board discussed Town Counsel’s earlier letter where he pointed out that the supplemental portion could be worth a legal challenge and the Selectmen all agreed it is worth looking into. Selectman Sheehan told the Finance Director to contact Town Counsel and start the process. Selectman Gorski stated that the town needs to pay what we are responsible for and look into whether we have a case of breach of contract.
Right of First Refusal-Groveland Commons Affordable Unit
Moved Gorski, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To waive the Town’s right of first refusal on purchasing
#4 Groveland Commons from Andrew and Lisa Bufano.
A letter will be sent to CHAPA and the owners notifying them of the Board’s waiver of the town’s right to purchase said unit. The unit is deed restricted as an affordable unit for perpetuity and the Selectmen do not see a need to purchase the property due to deed restriction.
Warrants
Moved Sheehan, seconded Gorski, and it was
VOTED: To approve bi-weekly Warrants #06-56, #07-02A and #07-03.
Moved Sheehan, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To approve bi-weekly Warrants 07-04.
Darke, Sheehan – “Aye”; Gorski – “Abstain”
Inquiry about Formation of School Building Committee
The Board’s Assistant informed her Board that one of the residents interested in serving on a future school building committee has inquired whether the committee will be created in the near future. Selectmen agreed to wait a few months in view of the problems the town is currently facing with the school budget and to notify Mr. Osborne that they will re-look at the idea in a few months.
Special Election
Moved Gorski, seconded Sheehan, and it was unanimously
VOTED: To call a Special Election for Monday, August 28, 2006
at Town Hall, voting hours 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. to vote
on the following Question:
Shall the Town of Groveland be allowed to assess an additional
$706,689.00 in real estate and personal property taxes to fund the
Fiscal Year 2007 Pentucket Regional School District Supplemental
Budget Assessment for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2006?
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Board, moved Sheehan, seconded Gorski, and it was
VOTED: To adjourn at 7:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________________________
Nancy Lewandowski, Administrative Assistant
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