Meeting called to order at 6:12 P.M. at Town Hall.
Present: Elizabeth A. Gorski and William H. Darke, Chairman.
Absent: Barbara A. Sheehan
Acceptance of Minutes
Moved Gorski, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To accept the Minutes of the meeting of
July 24, 2006, as presented.
Warrants
Moved Gorski, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To approve bi-weekly Warrants #07-06, #07-04A and #07-05.
Class II Used Car Sale License
At 6:15 P.M. Chairman Darke opened the public hearing on the application of William J. Cuddy and Edward Cordeiro, d/b/a Eddie’s Auto Sales, 929 Salem Street, Groveland for a Class II Auto License under Chapter 140, Section 58 of the Massachusetts General Laws. All abutters had been sent notice of the hearing by certified mail and all return receipts of the mailings are on file with the town. No abutters were present. Selectman Gorski advised the parties that all licenses are granted subject to revocation should problems arise and both men stated they understood. There being no objections, moved Gorski, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To grant a Class II Auto License to William J. Cuddy and
Edward Cordeiro, d/b/a Eddie’s Auto Sales, 929 Salem Street,
Groveland for calendar year 2006.
Resident Complaint
Balch Avenue resident John Rawson had provided the Board with a written complaint about large trucks using Balch Avenue and Governor’s Road (both residential areas), said trucks owned by R. J. Briscoe Company which runs it’s business out of Garrison Street. Rawson showed the Board pictures of the trucks that pass by his home and asked for some relief. Rawson told the Board that the Zoning Enforcement Officer had explained to him that Briscoe’s business was not subject to zoning laws because of grandfathering (Briscoe’s family has run a construction business of one form or another since the 1940s)
and Rawson said he understood the grandfathering was held up by the Courts, but told the Board he is surprised there isn’t something the town can do to prevent the truck traffic from traveling on small residential streets. Rawson asked if the town could exclude trucks over 5 tons and/or prohibit commercial vehicles. Road Commissioner Arakelian told the Board he talked with Rawson about his concerns and told him if the trucks are only allowed to use Garrison Street, then the residents there would be complaining; that it is better to divide the use amongst several of the roads.
Briscoe told the Board that he has stopped servicing (pumping) septic systems to alleviate truck traffic from his property and that he tries hard to have the trucks use alternating routes so that one area is not constantly bothered by them. Briscoe assured the Board that he will continue to work with his drivers to make sure they alternate their routes, stating that most of his trucks go out through Georgetown.
Chairman Darke asked Briscoe to make an effort to route the trucks as infrequently as possible on small residential streets and Briscoe agreed to try to minimize trucks going down Balch or Governors Road. Mr. Rawson was told that if he has future concerns he is welcome to return to the Board.
During the meeting Selectman Gorski disclosed that her family had hired Briscoe to do work on their septic system, Dr. Darke disclosed that John Rawson is a patient of his, and Road Commissioner Arakelian disclosed that he was Best Man at Briscoe’s wedding, while Police Chief Weeks stated he lived next door to Rawson when he was growing up.
Senator Bruce Tarr
Senator Bruce Tarr dropped by the meeting to announce that a million dollars has been secured for the town to finish its efforts at reconstructing Elm Park by adding additional parking and green space for a small park area along the river front. Tarr told the Board that the Secretary of Finance needs to approve it then the town will need to spend it relatively quickly on planning, design and construction. Chairman Darke thanked Tarr for his efforts on securing the funding for the town.
Selectman Gorski and Finance Board Chairman Kowalski informed Tarr of their concerns with the problems of funding Pentuckett’s budget, of the town’s need to file for State pothole money this year, and that they would appreciate his help in getting a
meeting with Department of Education so they can be filled in on how devastating this will be the town should the override not pass. Tarr told the Board that he is aware of the severity of the problem; that he will fax the applications for pot hole money to Finance Director Labrecque but warned that the will be more demand for this money this year; and that it makes good sense to meeting with Department of Ed and will assist the town with arranging such a meeting. Kowalski also told Senator Tarr that Pentucket has a fiscal responsibility problem, no accountability and that they are using the taxpayer as a reservoir which needs to stop; that he is not pleased with the oversight board the State put together to help fix the problems at Pentucket. Tarr will work through the Finance Director to
arrange for the meeting with the town and DOE.
Special Speed Regulation No. 629-B – Salem Street
Moved Gorski, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To adopt Special Speed Regulation No. 629-B for
Salem Street as recommended by Massachusetts
Highway Department. (See copy attached hereto)
Annual Common Victualler’s Licenses
Moved Gorski, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To grant the following Common Victualler Licenses for
FY ’07 as recommended by the Health Agent:
Gerry’s Variety-Subway, 15 Elm Park;
Groveland Fairways, 156 Main Street;
Yours and Ours Restaurant, 8 Elm Park;
Bagel Buddies, 6 Elm Park;
Sheehan’s Restaurant, 1 Elm Park;
Bagnall School Cafeteria, 253 School Street;
Nicole’s Mini Food Mart, 286 School Street;
Adamo’s, 909 School Street;
Chesterton Corp. Cafeteria, 860 Salem Street;
Tea Garden Restaurant, 904 Salem Street;
Pub 97, 935 Salem Street;
Meals on Wheels, Central Station, 181 Main Street;
Simply Elegant Catering, 154 Center Street;
DeLeo’s Pizza, 180-B Main Street;
Cedardale Day Camp, Bare Hill Road;
Groveland Congregational Church, King Street;
Nichol’s Village, Main Street; and
Golden Grounds, 921 Salem Street.
Memo to Departments to Freeze Spending
Moved Gorski, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To send a memo to all departments notifying them
that a spending freeze is being instituted immediately
and that spending be limited to items and services of
necessity only.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Board, moved Gorski, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To adjourn at 7:50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________________________
Nancy Lewandowski, Administrative Assistant
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