Meeting called to order at 6:07 P.M. at Town Hall.
Present Elizabeth A. Gorski and William H. Darke, Chairman
Groveland Baseball League
Don Greaney, spokesman for the Baseball League informed the Board that they are looking into the cost for lighting the fields at Washington Park; that they have received a quote from Delande’s Electrical of $31,000+ for each field. Greaney stated that they have spoken to the Light Department and there is a possibility the Department could get the lights donated. Chairman Darke told Greaney he has heard about neighbors near ball fields objecting to lights and Greaney stated that was why he was present; that he would like to notify the park abutters of the League’s intentions. Darke asked who would be paying for the lights and Greaney stated they are hoping for help from Groveland Light Department. The Board asked their Assistant to notify the abutters of the possibility of lights be
added at the playing fields and invite them to attend a future meeting to discuss this issue.
Bob Ward-Haverhill Waste Water
Bob Ward had requested a meeting with the Board to discuss activities occurring on Johnsons Pond and its watershed in the Town of Groveland. Ward told the Board that the pond is listed by DEP as a public drinking supply for the City of Haverhill and as such is subject to the surface water supply protection regulations defined in 310 CMR 22.20B. Public water suppliers have enforcement responsibility for compliance with the regulations. Ward stated that he would like to reach an agreement with the Board on appropriate protective measures for recreation and other activities on the pond.
Ward told the Board that a Haverhill resident brought concerns to his attention about cars and trucks backing their boats down to the pond (in the area of the Boxford line) causing a concern should an oil/gasoline spill occur; that cleanup of such a spill is very expensive.
Chairman Darke asked Ward whether Haverhill allows recreational use of its other water sources and Ward stated that 3 of 4 allow such use. Ward said his concern is the vicinity of the road to the water, and Gorski stated that cars just traveling by could cause the same problem. Gorski asked whether Ward had talked to Boxford officials and he stated he hasn’t; that Haverhill actually owns the property.
Chief Weeks was present and told Ward that he has worked for the Police Department for a long time and can’t remember any problems up; that people have always used the pond for ice fishing in the winter and fishing other times of year; that people put their boats in from Washington Street and the old pumping station.
Ward suggested signs be installed and was asked if Haverhill would help with the cost of same. It was suggested that signage could direct people to a certain area to put their boats in the pond. The parties agreed that the Selectmen and Chief Weeks will meet Ward on December 8th to view the area surrounding the pond and a decision will be made at a later date regarding signage, etc. Ward thanked the Board for their time and left the meeting.
Warrants
Moved Gorski, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To approve Warrants #07-20, #07-20A and #07-21.
Minutes
Moved Gorski, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To approve the Minutes of the meeting of
November 13, 2006 and November 17,
2006, and Executive Session Minutes
of November 13, 2006, as presented.
Lease of Washington Hall to Historical Society
The Board’s Assistant informed the Board that she had reviewed the Lease form the Historical Society had prepared for lease of Washington Hall from the Town; that all the changes the Selectmen had requested have been made and the Lease is ready for signature. Moved Gorski, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To grant a 10 year Lease of the Washington (Legion) Hall
Building to the Historical Society, effective December 1,
2006 for the sum of $1.00 per year.
Liquor License Renewals for 2007
Moved Gorski, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To approve the following liquor license renewal
forms for 2007:
Nierod’s Package Store; NC Liquors;
Gerry’s Variety (Beer and Wine);
Rt. 97 Liquors; Cedardale of Groveland;
Groveland Fairways; Nichols Village Dining Room;
Tea Garden Restaurant; Pub 97 Restaurant
4-Way Stop at Washington/Salem Street
Chairman Darke asked the Board’s Assistant to schedule a meeting with the Road Commissioner and Police Chief to discuss again the need for a 4-way stop at Washington/Salem Street intersection and Seven Star Road/Center Street intersection.
Dam Inspections
Finance Director Labrecque informed the Board that the State no longer will inspect town dams and now requires towns to inspect its dams every five years; that failure to do so could bring $500 per day fines. Labrecque told the Board that the Road Commissioner has received one quote of $8,000 and is trying to obtain others. In the meantime, Labrecque asked the Board to approve a Reserve Fund Transfer Request in the sum of $8,000.00 with the understanding that if a quote comes in lower, the town will hire the lowest most responsible bidder.
Moved Gorski, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To approve Reserve Fund Transfer in the sum of
$8,000.00 for the purpose of conducting an inspection
of the Johnson Creek dam.
School Building Assessment Committee
Moved Gorski, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To establish a new committee to be known as the
School Building Assessment Committee and to
appoint the following residents to serve thereon:
Robert Arakelian, John Christopher, John Osborne,
Douglas Gelina and Kim Jackson, said appointments
effective through June 30, 2007.
The committee is charged with gathering information and over seeing the completion of the Notice of Intent filing to apply for State assistance for the renovation/addition to the Dr. Elmer S. Bagnall School.
Council on Aging
Chairman Darke asked the Board’s Assistant to arrange a meeting with the COA to discuss their needs for a Senior Center.
Groveland’s Representatives to the Pentucket School Committee
At 7:15 P.M. the Board met with School Committee representatives Robert Fournier, Doreen Blades and Maria Piccolomini to discuss the upcoming FY’08 school budget process and to continue to try to have better communication with the representatives.
Also present at the meeting were Finance Director Labrecque and Finance Board members Kowalski, Minichello, Wildes, and Peabody. The first draft of the budget will be presented to the School Committee next Tuesday, December 5th and the Groveland officials told the committee members they want to be sure that the Bagnall students are funded at the same level as other elementary school students. Labrecque explained that when the budget was apportioned in the past per pupil spending in the other towns worked out to $639 per student and at Bagnall it was $534 per student; that the town wants equal for our students. Blades asked Labrecque to run the numbers when he receives a copy of the FY08 draft and give them to Groveland’s representatives so they all are on the same page.
Labrecque told Blades that the town just wants to make sure that our kids are treated fairly and School Committee member Fournier stated that Superintendent Livingston is in favor of parity.
The Selectmen complemented the good job that is being done by the new Business Manager, George Collins, to help straighten out the past financial issues at Pentucket.
Finance Board member Minichiello expressed concern that having a lesser per pupil amount spent on Bagnall’s students year after year has caused our children to fail the MCAS tests or have much lower scores. Minichiello stated that Bagnall’s 4th grade math scores are the second lowest of cities and towns north of Boston. School Committee member Piccolomini responded that MCAS doesn’t measure Special Needs and Minichiello responded that last year there were more Special Needs at Page School.
Andy Wildes told the Board that he has data on the MCAS scores that he can provide to the Board.
The Selectmen stated they will meet with the Bagnall Principal to discuss the scores and asked their Assistant to arrange a meeting for the December 8th. Chairman Darke asked Tom Minichiello to also attend. Chairman Darke also asked the Board’s Assistant to contact the School Committee Chairman and asked that he be scheduled on their first agenda in January to discuss MCAS scores and making sure our students receive the same per pupil spending as the other two towns. School Committee member Blades told the Board that they need to come to all the school committee meetings January through March and bring as many people as you can. Wildes told the Groveland School Committee reps that they have the power to make sure the budget happens and that he will not support it if there is no
parity.
Finance Chairman Kowalski mentioned how town officials have discussed taking Bagnall out of the District. He also asked how everyone felt about the Business Manager asking to do the Treasurer’s work and questioned why the current Treasurer was reappointed so easily and with a raise despite being written up by the Auditors. Finance member Joe Callahan stated that the CFO and Treasurer duties need to be done by separate individuals due to the accounting laws. Kowalski asked what will it take for the Selectmen to decide its time to take Bagnall out of the District. Chairman Darke responded that in past years
we had no idea where we stood because we never had good numbers to back up what we thought; that now we do. Darke stressed that there needs to be parity; that once we give the school the information we have, if they don’t make changes, then we will have to. Minichiello stated that the Superintendent needs to be asked what his plan is to improve the scores at the Bagnall School. Selectman Gorski stated she feels badly for our students and knows they can do better if given the opportunity.
The Board thanked everyone for attending the meeting and being open to discussing the problems.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Board, moved Gorski, seconded Darke and it was
VOTED: To adjourn.
Adjourned at 8:37 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Lewandowski
Administrative Assistant
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