MassVoter.com← Groton Select BoardGroton Select Board · 2020–2021 Board · Regular meeting
February 8, 2021
21 recorded votes, 7 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Alison Manugian, Joshua Degen, Becky Pine, John Giger, John Reilly
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Other Business
Award the $643,630 Town of Groton, Massachusetts Bond Anticipation Notes dated February 19, 2021 and maturing February 18, 2022 to T.D. Bank, N.A at a net interest cost of 0.44%
Mr. Degen moved to award the $643,630 Town of Groton, Massachusetts Bond Anticipation Notes dated February 19, 2021 and maturing February 18, 2022 to T.D. Bank, N.A at a net interest cost of 0.44%.
From the minutes
“Mr. Degen moved to award the $643,630 Town of Groton, Massachusetts Bond Anticipation Notes dated February 19, 2021 and maturing February 18, 2022 to T.D. Bank, N.A at a net interest cost of 0.44%. Ms. Manugian seconded the motion. Roll Call: Manugian-aye; Pine-aye; Degen-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Degen, second: Manugian)
Town Manager'S Report
Ratify the Town Manager's appointment of Steve Woodin to the Williams Barn Committee term to end June 30, 2021
Mr. Degen moved to ratify the Town Manager's appointment of Steve Woodin to the Williams Barn Committee term to end June 30, 2021.
From the minutes
“Mr. Degen moved to ratify the Town Manager's appointment of Steve Woodin to the Williams Barn Committee term to end June 30, 2021. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. Roll Call: Manugian-aye; Pine-aye; Degen-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Degen, second: Pine)
West Main Street - Package Store Liquor License Hearing
West Main Street - Package Store Liquor License Hearing
Haddad asked the Board to reopen the hearing for a liquor license request. Ms. Pine made the motion.
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine made the motion. Mr. Degen seconded the motion. Roll Call: Manugian-aye; Pine-aye; Degen-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Pine, second: Degen)
Close the public hearing
Mr. Degen moved to close the public hearing.
Yes: Degen, Giger, Manugian, PineNo: Reilly
From the minutes
“Mr. Degen moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Giger seconded the motion. Roll Call: Reilly-nay; Pine-aye; Manugianaye; Degen-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Degen, second: Giger)
Reopen the public hearing
Roll Call: Reilly-nay; Pine-aye; Manugianaye; Degen-aye; Giger-aye Mr. Degen moved to reopen the public hearing.
From the minutes
“Roll Call: Reilly-nay; Pine-aye; Manugianaye; Degen-aye; Giger-aye Mr. Degen moved to reopen the public hearing. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. Roll Call: Reilly-aye; Pine-aye; Manugianaye; Degen-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Degen, second: Pine)
Close the public hearing
Mr. Degen moved to close the public hearing.
From the minutes
“Mr. Degen moved to close the public hearing. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. Roll Call: Reilly-aye; Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Degen, second: Pine)
Deny this alcohol license
Ms. Pine moved to deny this alcohol license.
Yes: Degen, Giger, Pine, ReillyNo: Manugian
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine moved to deny this alcohol license. Mr. Giger seconded the motion. Mr. Degen said he understood capitalism and understood being a business owner. He said he wanted to see this store thrive and fit in the community. He said that the only way he saw this being a success there was a major investment by the applicant. He said that until the Planning Board reviewed the property, he was apprehensive about granting a liquor license. He said if the applicant wanted to sell beer and wine along with consignment, that would be unique. Mr. Degen said he didn't see this being a success without lottery, snacks, etc. Mr. Degen said he couldn't grant the license at this time. Ms. Manugian said that she was struggling with traffic and parking concerns were going to prohibit this use, that would prohibit any use of that building. Mr. Reilly said that Mr. Leung had done a great job answering the questions and was embarrassed by some of the questions asked during the hearings. He said that he had to stay consistent with how he voted on the Mobil Station application that recently came to them. He said that this had been an icon of West Groton to the people of West Groton. Mr. Reilly said he could not support this. Mr. Giger said he did not support this adding he agreed with Mr. Reilly and how they voted on the Mobil stores license request. He said that the Town declared a park and couldn't see it turning into a parking lot. Mr. Haddad said he would draft a decision if the Board voted to deny this application. Roll Call: Manugian-nay; Pine-aye; Degen-aye; Giger-aye; Reilly-aye.” (Motion: Pine, second: Giger)
Town Manager'S Report - Cont
Ratify the new agreement with Town Accountant Patricia Dufresne
Ms. Pine moved that they ratify the new agreement with Town Accountant Patricia Dufresne.
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine moved that they ratify the new agreement with Town Accountant Patricia Dufresne. Mr. Giger seconded the motion. Ms. Pine said she was pleased about this and was grateful she froze her salary next year like the union had. Roll Call: Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Pine, second: Giger)
Ratify the agreement made between the Town and SEIU 888, Town Hall and Library Employees
Haddad said how grateful he was to the Union for their willingness to work with the Town during these difficult fiscal times. Ms. Pine made the motion to ratify the agreement made between the Town and SEIU 888, Town Hall and Library Employees.
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine made the motion to ratify the agreement made between the Town and SEIU 888, Town Hall and Library Employees. Mr. Reilly seconded the motion. Roll Call: Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Pine, second: Reilly)
Ratify the Patrolmen's Union Agreement
Ms. Pine moved to ratify the Patrolmen's Union Agreement.
Yes: Degen, Manugian, Pine, ReillyNo: Giger
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine moved to ratify the Patrolmen's Union Agreement. Mr. Degen seconded the motion. Roll Call: Giger-nay; Pine-aye; Degen-aye; Manugian-aye; Reilly-aye.” (Motion: Pine, second: Degen)
Ratify the Superior Officer's Union Agreement
Roll Call: Giger-nay; Pine-aye; Degen-aye; Manugian-aye; Reilly-aye Ms. Pine moved to ratify the Superior Officer's Union Agreement.
From the minutes
“Roll Call: Giger-nay; Pine-aye; Degen-aye; Manugian-aye; Reilly-aye Ms. Pine moved to ratify the Superior Officer's Union Agreement. Mr. Reilly seconded the motion. Roll Call: Pineaye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Pine, second: Reilly)
Effective February 22, 2021
Haddad asked the Board to vote to ratify this appointment at Monday's meeting. Ms. Pine made the motion effective February 22, 2021.
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine made the motion effective February 22, 2021. Mr. Reilly seconded the motion. Roll Call: Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Pine, second: Reilly)
Appoint Amy Degen to the Diversity Task Force
Ms. Pine moved to appoint Amy Degen to the Diversity Task Force.
Yes: Giger, Manugian, Pine, ReillyAbstained: Degen
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine moved to appoint Amy Degen to the Diversity Task Force. Mr. Reilly seconded the motion. Roll Call: Degen abstain; Roll Call: Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Pine, second: Reilly)
Appoint Deidre Slavin Mitchell to the Diversity Task Force
Roll Call: Degen abstain; Roll Call: Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye Ms. Pine moved to appoint Deidre Slavin Mitchell to the Diversity Task Force.
From the minutes
“Roll Call: Degen abstain; Roll Call: Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye Ms. Pine moved to appoint Deidre Slavin Mitchell to the Diversity Task Force. Mr. Reilly seconded the motion. Roll Call: Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Pine, second: Reilly)
Draft a letter that they could not support the project for the $120K as presented and that if they had a written proposal for a lesser amount, they could have discussed it
Ms. Manugian moved that they draft a letter that they could not support the project for the $120K as presented and that if they had a written proposal for a lesser amount, they could have discussed it.
From the minutes
“Ms. Manugian moved that they draft a letter that they could not support the project for the $120K as presented and that if they had a written proposal for a lesser amount, they could have discussed it. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. Ms. Pine said that the application was vague, had contradicting information, that improvements to the parking lot could have been done in house, and that the irrigation well did not belong in there anymore. She said she thought that the brainstorming could be done by the Park Commissioners. She said she could not support installing bathrooms at Cow Pond Brook and would prefer they use porta toilets until composting toilets were allowed for use. She said there was no data on maximizing field space and would like to see a sketch done first. Mr. Degen asked if the motion could be reformed that they could support an application of not more than $20K so that all work done thus far was not lost. Ms. Manugian said that she would make that friendly amendment. Roll Call: Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Manugian, second: Pine)
Draft a letter of support for testing and analysis conducted on town property
Ms. Manugian moved that they draft a letter of support for testing and analysis conducted on town property.
Yes: Giger, Manugian, ReillyAbstained: Degen, Pine
From the minutes
“Ms. Manugian moved that they draft a letter of support for testing and analysis conducted on town property. Mr. Reilly seconded the motion. Roll Call: Pine-abstain; Degen-abstain, Manugian-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Manugian, second: Reilly)
(the minutes do not state the motion)
Reilly said he would continue to do this. Ms. Pine made the motion.
Yes: Degen, Giger, Manugian, PineAbstained: Reilly
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine made the motion. Ms. Manugian seconded the motion. Roll Call: Reilly abstain; Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Pine, second: Manugian)
On-Going Issues
Reconsider the previous vote for their support of the CPC Middle School Track project application
OTHER BUSINESS Ms. Manugian moved to reconsider the previous vote for their support of the CPC Middle School Track project application.
From the minutes
“OTHER BUSINESS Ms. Manugian moved to reconsider the previous vote for their support of the CPC Middle School Track project application. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. Roll Call: Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Manugian, second: Pine)
Other Business
Continue to manage the CPC application to build the track
Ms. Pine moved to continue to manage the CPC application to build the track.
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine moved to continue to manage the CPC application to build the track. Ms. Manugian seconded the motion. Roll Call: Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Pine, second: Manugian)
Approve the amended minutes of January 25, 2021
Roll Call: Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye MINUTES Mr. Degen moved that they approve the amended minutes of January 25, 2021.
From the minutes
“Roll Call: Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye MINUTES Mr. Degen moved that they approve the amended minutes of January 25, 2021. Mr. Reilly seconded the motion. Roll Call: Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Degen, second: Reilly)
Minutes
Approve the minutes of February 1, 2021
Roll Call: Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye Mr. Degen moved that they approve the minutes of February 1, 2021.
Yes: Giger, Manugian, Pine, ReillyAbstained: Degen
From the minutes
“Roll Call: Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye Mr. Degen moved that they approve the minutes of February 1, 2021. Mr. Reilly seconded the motion. Roll Call: Degenabstain; Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Reilly-aye; Giger-aye.” (Motion: Degen, second: Reilly)
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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