March 12, 2018

“Mr. Petropoulos moved that they add questions 2 and 3 to the Spring Town Meeting ballot as stated with revised wording as provided by Ms. Manugian. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. Ms. Manugian reiterated her concern with only asking 2 questions and leaving out the other 6 categories. She said that she didn't agree with comments made that these were that these were 2 different votes (state and local) and that the survey conducted was different. She thought there would be another reason to throw out these results if this didn't go one particular way. Mr. Pease agreed adding that a nonbinding vote was just another opinion adding they had done this already. Ms. Pine said she felt strongly they needed this on the ballot. She said there was a strong public discussion that just because the Town voted yes on the state ballot that Groton wanted this locally. Mr. Petropoulos suggested they ask the Planning Board to create zoning, hold a public hearing and put on a town ballot all 8 categories in a binding manner. Mr. Degen said he felt comfortable with doing that at the Fall Town Meeting. Ms. Manugian said it seemed reasonable for them to ask the Planning Board to draft zoning with 8 different zones of allowed/not allowed uses. Mr. Petropoulos and Ms. Pine voted in favor of the motion. Mr. Degen and Ms. Manugian voted against the motion. Mr. Pease abstained because he still had far too many questions about the process and how they go through the process. The motion failed by a 2-2-1 vote..” (Motion: Petropoulos, second: Pine)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

“Mr. Petropoulos moved that they ask the Friends of Prescott to nominate an individual to work with Town Manager to select an architectural firm to provide the required input for the review of the Building Inspector against the current building code, 9th edition. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. Mr. Haddad explained how offended he was about comments made by Ms. Jennings that he was motivated by people against the Friends of Prescott and the use of Prescott. He said that was absolutely not the case. I said he wanted an apology for that statement. He said she had no idea what his motivation was. He explained how he was on the negotiating team to make this work and thought for her to email that out was just not true. Mr. Petropoulos said Ms. Jennings didn't say motivation. Mr. Haddad said that was how he interpreted it. Mr. Pease said he would only accept the motion on the table if it was amended to include his recommendation adding he had extreme and profound trust in Mr. Easom. He said that his methods, demeaner and interactions made him a rock-solid recommendation. Mr. Degen said he understood why Mr. Pease made the recommendation but to not put someone up that was qualified was not in Friends best interest. He added that it was the Town Manager's decision at the end of the day. Mr. Degen said that the motion should specify needing an engineer. Mr. Petropoulos amended his motion to include an engineer not an architect and further amended the motion to specify a Registered Design Professional after clarification provided by Mr. Platt. The motion carried 4-1 with Ms. Manugian voting against..” (Motion: Petropoulos, second: Pine)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)