MassVoter.com← Groton Select BoardGroton Select Board · 2019–2020 Board · Regular meeting
December 9, 2019
14 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Alison Manugian, Joshua Degen, John Reilly, John Giger, Becky Pine
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Town Manager'S Report
Appoint Casey O'Connor as a Patrolman effective January 3, 2020
He said that they were getting Officer O'Connor into the academy in January and asked the Board to ratify his appointment. Ms. Pine made the motion to appoint Casey O'Connor as a Patrolman effective January 3, 2020.
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine made the motion to appoint Casey O'Connor as a Patrolman effective January 3, 2020. Mr. Degen seconded the motion. Ms. Pine said it was wonderful that they had diverse candidates. The motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Pine, second: Degen)
Ratify the appointment of Kara Cruikshank to the Land Use Administrative Assistant position effective December 30, 2019
Mr. Giger moved to ratify the appointment of Kara Cruikshank to the Land Use Administrative Assistant position effective December 30, 2019.
From the minutes
“Mr. Giger moved to ratify the appointment of Kara Cruikshank to the Land Use Administrative Assistant position effective December 30, 2019. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Giger, second: Pine)
Ratify the Town Manager's appointment of Christopher Greathead effective December 16, 2019
Haddad asked the Board to ratify his appointment. Mr. Reilly made the motion to ratify the Town Manager's appointment of Christopher Greathead effective December 16, 2019.
From the minutes
“Mr. Reilly made the motion to ratify the Town Manager's appointment of Christopher Greathead effective December 16, 2019. Mr. Giger seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Reilly, second: Giger)
Appoint Thomas and Lynda Pistorino to the Commission on Accessibility through June 30, 2020
Haddad asked the Board to consider appointing Thomas and Lynda Pistorino to the Commission on Accessibility at the recommendation of the ADA Coordinator. Ms. Pine made the motion to appoint Thomas and Lynda Pistorino to the Commission on Accessibility through June 30, 2020.
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine made the motion to appoint Thomas and Lynda Pistorino to the Commission on Accessibility through June 30, 2020. Mr. Degen seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Pine, second: Degen)
Appoint Carolyn Perkins to the CPC term to end June 30, 2021
Haddad asked the Board to appoint Carolyn Perkins to the CPC term to expire June 30, 2021 at the recommendation of the CPC. Ms. Pine made the motion to appoint Carolyn Perkins to the CPC term to end June 30, 2021.
Yes: Degen, Giger, PineNo: Manugian, ReillyThe minutes name the members opposed in brackets after the vote: "(Manugian and Reilly opposed)".
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine made the motion to appoint Carolyn Perkins to the CPC term to end June 30, 2021. Mr. Degen seconded the motion. TAX CLASSIFICATION HEARING Mr. Degen moved to re-open the tax classification hearing and postpone the discussion until the conclusion of the current discussion. Mr. Giger seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT - CONT. Ms. Gilbert said that this was the Select Board appointment and asked the Board to consider her statements. See attached statement made by Ms. Gilbert as the second candidate that was considered. Ms. Eliot said that she was a minority vote on the CPC. She said that she voted for Ms. Gilbert based on the diversity should would bring to the CPC. Ms. Manugian said that they would typically turn to the Committee for their recommendation. Mr. Degen asked how long it had been since Ms. Perkins had been on the CPC. Ms. Perkins said that when she resigned from the Planning Board, she had to give up her seat on the CPC. She said she enjoyed working with the committee, working on the projects and what the CPA did. Ms. Perkins agreed that there was something to be said about diversity. Mr. Degen asked the candidates if they were an advocate for keeping the surcharge at 3%, reducing it or eliminating it once Surrenden Farm was paid off. Ms. Perkins said that she liked the projects that the CPA was able to provide the Town. She said that it was valuable because of the state match to keep it at 3%. Ms. Gilbert said that the voters should decide adding that she was always in favor of receiving free money. She said that they needed to look at the operation budget and decide on whether to keep the CPA active. She said that the school piece was a huge missing part on this committee. Ms. Gilbert said that if they had an override next year which was supported by the tax payers then she would support keeping the CPA, if not, she would not keep it. Mr. Haddad reminded the Board of the motion on the table. The Board voted 3 in favor and 2 opposed..” (Motion: Pine, second: Degen)
Re-open the tax classification hearing and postpone the discussion until the conclusion of the current discussion
TAX CLASSIFICATION HEARING Mr. Degen moved to re-open the tax classification hearing and postpone the discussion until the conclusion of the current discussion.
From the minutes
“TAX CLASSIFICATION HEARING Mr. Degen moved to re-open the tax classification hearing and postpone the discussion until the conclusion of the current discussion. Mr. Giger seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Degen, second: Giger)
Tax Classification Hearing
Recommended adopting a residential factor of 1 and set both tax rates at $17.38 with a tax levy at $33,723,200
Ms. Pine made a motion to recommended adopting a residential factor of 1 and set both tax rates at $17.38 with a tax levy at $33,723,200.
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine made a motion to recommended adopting a residential factor of 1 and set both tax rates at $17.38 with a tax levy at $33,723,200. Ms. Manugian seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Pine, second: Manugian)
Annual Licenses
Annual Licenses
Haddad read the licenses on Page 1 (see attached) and asked the Board to approve them as presented. Ms. Manugian made the motion.
From the minutes
“Ms. Manugian made the motion. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Manugian, second: Pine)
Haddad read the licenses on Page 2 (see attached) and asked the Board to approve them as presented. Mr. Degen made the motion.
From the minutes
“Mr. Degen made the motion. Mr. Reilly seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Degen, second: Reilly)
Haddad asked the Board to approve a common victualler license for AL Prime. Ms. Pine made the motion.
Yes: Giger, Manugian, Pine, ReillyNo: Degen
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine made the motion. Ms. Manugian seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1 with Mr. Degen opposed..” (Motion: Pine, second: Manugian)
Haddad read the remaining licenses on Page 3 (see attached) and asked the Board to approve them as presented. Ms. Pine made the motion.
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine made the motion. Ms. Manugian seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Pine, second: Manugian)
Pine-aye; Manugian-nay; Degen-nay; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye. The motion carried 3-2 in favor. 7. Mr. Haddad said that they were in the process of finalizing the operating budget. He said that he had...
Pine-aye; Manugian-nay; Degen-nay; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye. The motion carried 3-2 in favor. 7. Mr. Haddad said that they were in the process of finalizing the operating budget. He said that he had a meeting with the School Department scheduled for Wednesday to show them the numbers and see where they were at. He said he would have a better update for them next Monday. Mr. Giger said that the School Department had not yet declared what they were looking at budget wise like the Town had. He said that splitting the deficit was not something he had heard being discussed adding he thought they neede
Yes: Giger, Pine, ReillyNo: Degen, Manugian
From the minutes
“Pine-aye; Manugian-nay; Degen-nay; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye. The motion carried 3-2 in favor..”
Other Business
Pursuant to 3.2.2 (iv) of the newly approved Charter that John Giger and the Town Manager sign both expense and payroll warrants through January 8, 2020
Mr. Degen moved that pursuant to 3.2.2 (iv) of the newly approved Charter that John Giger and the Town Manager sign both expense and payroll warrants through January 8, 2020.
From the minutes
“Mr. Degen moved that pursuant to 3.2.2 (iv) of the newly approved Charter that John Giger and the Town Manager sign both expense and payroll warrants through January 8, 2020. Ms. Manugian seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Degen, second: Manugian)
On-Going Issues A
Approve the minutes of November 25, 2019
MINUTES Mr. Degen moved to approve the minutes of November 25, 2019.
From the minutes
“MINUTES Mr. Degen moved to approve the minutes of November 25, 2019. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Degen, second: Pine)
From the Groton Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town’s public meeting portal (Select Board). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Town of Groton, Select Board page (Peter Cunningham, Becky Pine, John Reilly).
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