Fran Dillon | The Groton Line

Petropoulos Joins BoS; Board Reorganizes With Schulman As Chair and Cunningham As Vice-Chair

Jun 062012

Art Campbell | The Groton Line

The reorganized Board of Selectmen, from left: Anna Eliot, Chairman Stuart Schulman, Vice-Chairman Peter Cunningham, Clerk Jack Petropoulos, and Josh Degan.

Art Campbell | The Groton Line

Selectman Peter Cunningham adjusts new BoS member Jack Petropoulos's temporary name plate before Petropoulos's first meeting.

Selectman-elect Jack Petropoulos officially became Selectman Petropoulos Monday evening, at the Board of Selectman’s first meeting since his election win on May 22. Petropoulos beat political veteran Bob Hargraves and first-time candidate Erich Garger to fill the seat left vacant by 3-term selectman Fran Dillon’s retirement.

The Board also reorganized, a traditional post-election chore that puts the newest member in the role of Clerk. Peter Cunningham nominated Stuart Schulman as Chairman; a motion that all five members approved. Schulman replaces Anna Eliot. Then Schulman responded in kind by nominating Cunningham as Vice-Chairman; that motion also carried unanimously. The new roles will likely stay in place until after the 2013 elections, when Schulman’s and Degen’s current terms expire.

Profiles Of The Candidates For Selectman 2012 Are Online

By Art Campbell

Apr 302012

A single seat on the five-member Board of Selectmen is the only office that has attracted multiple candidates in this spring’s town election on May 22. The seat is open because three-term Selectman Fran Dillon is retiring.

Two candidates seeking to take the chair for three years are political newcomers to Groton. Eric Garger has never held political office and did not list any volunteer offices on the questionnaire he filled out for The Groton Line; he is a state food and drug inspector. Jack Petropoulos has recently chaired the Central Fire Station Building Committee in Groton, and has held positions on conservation commission and open space planning committees in other towns before he moved to Groton. He is a software product manager and has 15 years experience as a manager of non-profit human services programs.

The third candidate is veteran Bob Hargraves, 74, who has been serving on the town Finance Committee since he retired as state representative in 2010. That year he ran for selectman, but lost. Hargraves has been a selectman before, has served as moderator, and has also been involved in the school system both as an employee and as a school committee member.

See the complete profile page.

Dear Editor: I Am Running For Selectman

By Jack Petropoulos

Apr 052012

My name is Jack Petropoulos and I would like to announce my candidacy for Selectman of the Town of Groton Massachusetts, for the election to be held on Tuesday May 22, 2012. Here is why I am running, and what I think I can offer:

With Selectman Dillon’s decision to not seek reelection, Groton has lost a valuable set of technical and interpersonal skills. While I will humbly admit that I am no Fran Dillon, I believe that I have both the drive, and the analytical and interpersonal skills that it takes to succeed in the position; and to fill, in part, the void that his departure will leave.

I will not offer a broad range of promises that are under-researched and over-reaching. Instead I can say that, if elected, I would start with a focus on a particular set of issues that have come to my attention over the years, and to which I believe I can contribute some specific improvement. Beyond these, I can promise to apply my abilities to listen, to learn, and to act with passion and dedication as a member of a team, in the service of this wonderful Town.

I believe that I can help to make Groton a better place to do business. The things that I have heard from business owners in Town about the challenges that they face seem unacceptable for a community that is dependent on its downtown for its character.

I have seen Town initiatives pushed forward to the objection of residents who demanded a more transparent and well executed approach. My background is well suited to helping to advance a process that operates toward a mission, sets objectives and executes against them in a methodical manner. My participation in the current Center Fire Station Building Committee has shown me that I can contribute to the kind of process that people can feel comfortable with; knowing that their concerns have been heard and have been addressed thoroughly and with excellence.

Though I have established many connections throughout Groton over the years, I never cease to be amazed by the sense of community that exists here. I see this every day in the West Groton community where I live with my family on our small farm. Its historic roots and the connection that our many neighbors have to this property, remind me of how interconnected a community can be.

Today I am a Software Product Manager for one of Americas’ largest companies, yet my roots are in small startups. I am familiar with the process and accountability that comes with working for a well oiled machine; but I also know how to wear many hats, how to get things done and how to spot and fix the gaps in a new and less refined system. I have spent time in the public sector as well, both professionally and as a volunteer. I have administered multi-million dollar budgets for DYS and for various correctional programs in Connecticut and Rhode Island. I have served as Chair of the Open Space Planning Committee in Hopkinton and on the Conservation Commission of Medway.

I would like to offer these things to the Town as my contribution to preserve what we value, and achieve what we want.

If you would like to learn more, to volunteer, or just to tell me what you think, we will have a kickoff event at the home of Jane Allen, 34 Shattuck St on Friday, April 13 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. If you can’t make it I am eager to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to read more about me, contribute, or let me know what you think at: www.jackpetropoulos.com .

If you would like to contribute, please send whatever you are comfortable with to:

Jack Petropoulos – Selectman
34 Shattuck St
Groton 01450

Thank you, and please vote on the 22nd.

Jack (John) Petropoulos

Three-Way Race For Selectman Leads Town Election Races

By Art Campbell

Apr 042012

Art Campbell | The Groton Line

Selectman Fran Dillon's Retirement Opens A Three-Way Contest To Succeed Him

Two political newcomers and one of Groton’s political old hands are running a three-way race for the Selectman’s seat left open by Fran Dillon’s retirement. Erich Garger of Redskin Trail and Jack Petropoulos of Kemp Street are taking on Bob Hargraves, a former selectman and former state representative who now serves on the town Financial Committee. Hargraves ran unsuccessfully in the 2010 Selectman’s race, finishing behind incumbents Josh Degen and Stuart Schulman.

The election will be held on May 22. Except for one one-year Water Commission seat to fill the remainder of an unexpired term, all offices are for three-year terms.

In contrast to the contested field for Selectman, a seat on the Park Commission is open and without candidates. David Howes is leaving the Park Commission when his term expires after the election this spring. In 2011, four candidates ran for two seats on the Park Commission. According to Town Clerk Michael Bouchard, an office without a candidate on the ballot would be filled by the write-in candidate who receives the most votes. If there are no write-ins, the seat would be filled by a joint appointment by the Park Commission and the Board of Selectmen.

Other boards and commissions have a match between openings and candidates seeking those openings. Three Planning Board seats are open. Two are likely to be filled by incumbents Russell Burke of Old Ayer Road and Carolyn Perkins of Reedy Meadow. Tim Svarczkopf, of Champney Street, is the third official candidate. Incumbent Ray Capes is leaving the board.

The Water Commission two openings. Incumbent Gary Hoglund of Duck Pond Road is seeking re-election. A one year opening created by the resignation of Alvin Collins on December 12, 2011. Jessica Cajigas of Orr Road was appointed by the Board of Selectmen to fill Collins’ vacant seat on February 6 and is running for the reminder of his term in this election.

The list of incumbents seeking reelection to their positions and who are running unopposed includes:

Town Clerk Michael Bouchard
Groton-Dunstable Regional School Committee members Berta Erickson of Boston Road and Alison Manugian of Shepley Street
Groton Library Trustees Kristen Von Camp of Lowell Road and Jane Allen of Shattuck Street.
Board of Assessors member Jenifer Evans of Smith Street
Board of Health Commissioner Susan Horowitz of Lowell Road
Commissioner of Trust Funds Joseph Twomey of Martins Pond Road
Groton Electric Light Commissioner Kevin Lindemer of Boston Road
Sewer Commissioner Tom Hartnett of Martins Pond Road
Housing Authority member Alicia Hersey of Old Ayer Road

The retirement of long-time Town Moderator Robert Gosselin opens that office to an unopposed run by Jason Kauppi of Townsend Road.

BoS on Haddad Report: “The Board Considers This Matter Closed” (Updated w. Report PDF)

By Art Campbell

Feb 272012

Mark Haddad

The Board of Selectmen attempted to write the final chapter in the months-long controversy surrounding Town Manager Mark Haddad’s “inappropriate” electronic relationship with town resident Meghan Volpe by having Chairwoman Anna Eliot read a brief statement near the end of its regular Monday evening meeting. The statement noted that private investigator Arthur Parker’s report into Haddad’s actions between February and November 2011 had been received and acted upon, and was available “for review and inspection” in the town clerk’s office.

No copies of the report were distributed at the meeting, nor was it available on the town’s web site. (A copy was obtained from Michael Bouchard, Groton Town Clerk as soon as his office opened Tuesday morning. Click to see the PDF.)

Despite the lack of copies for review, Eliot stated: “We believe the findings speak for themselves. The board has expressed its displeasure that the town manager would engage in conduct that would cause a distraction and result in unnecessary expenses for the town. Mark has been contrite throughout this matter and understands that his actions were inappropriate. To confirm the Board’s position that his actions were indeed inappropriate and reflected adversely on town government, we have placed a letter of disapproval in Mark’s employment file and informed him that any future such conduct will not be tolerated.”

She continued: “Nevertheless, we support Mark and his performance as town manager and his appointment and do not believe that his private actions here will effect his ability to serve as town manager in the future.” Eliot concluded by saying: “The Board considers this matter closed.”

The Board passed a vote of confidence in Haddad by a vote of 4-1 during a closed-door meeting on February 22. Because the action took place in executive session, it was not known which selectman made the motion that led to the vote of confidence, but according to the statement that Eliot read, Selectman Josh Degen cast the sole opposing vote.

In addition to Parker’s report, Selectman Peter Cunningham said that “Additional information did come to light, and the board did not feel that additional investigation was warranted, based on the nature of the information.”

Degen expanded on that, saying: “Based on Selectman Cunningham’s response… I did attempt to bring forward information during executive session and this board, through a motion, chose not to allow it to be introduced. So while some of the information was discussed in generality, none of the information was brought forward. I had a Powerpoint presentation that I wanted to present, and that was not allowed by the board.”

Eliot testily refused three times to answer a reporter’s question about a key focus of the investigation — whether Haddad used town resources to send and receive phone calls, instant messages, and emails, repeatedly telling the reporter to get a copy of the report.

Cunningham defused the situation by calmly and politely answering the reporter, saying: “We did not feel that there was any misappropriation of town resources. The investigation did identify area which are not unique to Mr. Haddad or anyone else in a work situation who may use resources at work (phone and computer) for certain personal issues and things that come up. That’s an area that we will ask our human resources department to look at and to draft some policies to clarify some of the nuances in the way that policy is interpreted.”

Selectman Fran Dillon noted that some existing town policies and procedures were not followed by the board. Apparently the investigator’s report also makes some recommendations about changing some policies or making new policies, to deal with similar situations.

Although she had not yet seen the report, Volpe said in an email: “The investigation should conclude that I never once lied, and that the time frame of conversations and communications shows that Mr. Haddad did in fact use his town-paid-for cell phone and computer and communicated with me on non-town-essential issues during town business hours and critical town meetings. And yet, it seems that some of the Board has determined they don’t care about this evidence, or that there was unethical and immoral behavior by the TM, which is clearly contrary to the stipulations of our Town Charter.”

“It is shocking to me that the Board would spend taxpayer money to investigate a matter and then ignore the results. What was the point? I am at a loss for words for how something like this can happen in our day and age, but it should never be allowed to happen again. I truly hope the BoS decides to adopt the recommendations made by Mr. Parker. I want to thank Josh Degen for being the only Selectman to publicly display his outrage over the situation of the last four months.”

Degen Intends to Push BoS For “No Confidence” Vote On Haddad

By Art Campbell

Feb 162012

A day after the Groton Board of Selectmen received paper copies of an investigator’s report into Town Manager Mark Haddad’s electronic relationship with a resident last year, Groton Selectman Josh Degen has issued a press release that announces his intention to call for a “No Confidence” vote by the Board of Selectmen on Haddad. If the vote takes place, and if four members of the five-member board agree, Haddad could be dismissed under an “escape hatch” clause in the town charter.

The Board of Selectmen were reported to be setting a day and time for a meeting next week in which they would enter executive session to discuss the report. Because the topic is personnel-related, at least 48-hour notice and a copy of the report must be given to Haddad. The Board of Selectmen’s next official meeting is scheduled for February 27th, because of the President’s Day holiday falling on this coming Monday. It was not clear if Degen’s proposed vote would be part of that review meeting or if it would be treated as a separate item, possibly in a different meeting.

Degen’s press release is a “personal, individual, statement” and does not come from the board as an official body, he said.

In the release, he wrote that:

The Groton Town Charter has a provision for removal of the Town Manager. It requires a 4/5th affirmative vote to remove the individual from his or her position… Therefore, pursuant to section 4-3 of the Charter of the Town of Groton, I shall call for a vote of confidence in the Town Manager by my fellow board members. During this vote I specifically call attention to the moral standards provision contained within section 1-8 of our Charter.

That section of the town charter, “Section 1-8: Ethical Standards,” reads: “Elected and appointed officers, employees and volunteers of the town are expected to demonstrate, by their example, with their general conduct and in the performance of their duties and responsibilities, the highest ethical standards to the end that the public may justifiably have trust and confidence in the integrity of its government.”

Degen’s statement cites two separate instances that he said violate that clause and warrant the “no confidence” vote.

His statement continues:

In the fall of 2011 a constituent e-mailed me with concerns about Mr. Haddad’s conduct. The e-mails and conversation with this person ultimately showed that both the constituent and Mr. Haddad had conducted a consensual and continual exchange via texting, e-mail and phone over a six-month period. Mr. Haddad has readily admitted to this fact.

Some of the material reviewed by me showed that Mr.Haddad used extremely inappropriate language and behavior with this individual. It is my feeling that a recently married man should not engage in such activities thus potentially violating his marriage vows. But that is, at the heart of it, a personal matter.

It becomes a matter of public concern when a public official’s “private” actions and ethical judgments are made public and have a significant impact both on the person’s reputation and his ability to perform his public job functions. And in this case, that has happened.

The second issue dates back to Haddad’s contract negotiations three years ago, Degen said.

In his statement, he wrote:

When our BoS selected Mr. Haddad, I was Chairman. During final contract negotiations prior to the signing of his contract, Mr. Haddad promised Selectman Fran Dillon and myself that anything that may have allegedly occurred in his past was just that, alleged, and untrue. He further promised the two of us that he would never do anything to jeopardize the BoS, the people of Groton, or his job.

Mark’s promise has been broken through his actions. While this situation may not place the town in a legal dilemma, I can no longer trust Mr. Haddad as I believe he has both lied to us and has compromised his ability to lead; his behavior taints any decisions that affect the town’s future. We all hold morality to different standards in each of our own mind’s eye. I know that I have been far from perfect, but as a public leader, I do hold myself to a high moral standard. The BoS has now concluded an investigation on the actions of our current Town Manager.

I cannot in good conscience continue to give my vote of confidence to Mark Haddad as our Town Manager.
….

It is my feeling that Mr. Haddad’s personal actions have severely and irretrievably affected his ability to function as Groton’s Town Manager. I sincerely hope that enough members of the Board of Selectmen agree with me that we can move on from this chapter and restore full confidence in both the elected and appointed elements of the town administration.

Selectman Fran Dillon could not be reached to confirm Degen’s narrative of Haddad’s promise during contract negotiations.

Selectman Stuart Schulman said that he didn’t think Haddad’s actions had risen to the level required for him to support a “No Confidence” vote; that while they were questionable, they still seemed not to be illegal. Selectman Peter Cunningham is refraining from commenting until the BoS meets with Haddad, the procedure the BoS has already agreed upon. Chairwoman Anna Eliot could not be reached for comment.

Degen Files Public Records Request Seeking Eliot–Doneski–Parker Communications (Update: Report Released to BoS)

By Art Campbell

Feb 152012

Groton Selectman Josh Degen filed an unprecedented public records request with the town clerk this morning (02/14/2012), seeking “… all communications via email, letter, or phone conversation” between Groton Board of Selectmen Chair Anna Eliot, town counsel David Doneski of the Kopelman and Page law firm in Boston, and private investigator Arthur Parker of Billingsgate Associates related to the ongoing investigation into Town Manager Mark Haddad’s electronic relationship with a Groton resident.

Degen said he agonized over the unusual step after leaving Monday night’s BoS meeting unsatisfied with a surprise delay of Parker’s investigation that routed his report to Doneski instead of the five town selectmen and Eliot’s explanation of how and why the re-routing occurred (see related story on the BoS meeting). “I was awake until 1:30 this morning, worrying about it, wondering if I should file it,” he said. In the end, he said, he thought the selectmen should receive the raw information that Parker gathered during his investigation, as specified in the BoS contract with Parker, and then make a decision on how to handle it.

Degen, in the hand-written request, claims an exemption from being denied access to the communications because the request is related to an action in which all the selectmen, including himself, are a party.

Doneski is the usual arbiter of how the town complies with public records requests under state law and Eliot is the official keeper of records for the BoS. Town Clerk Michael Bouchard said that Degen’s request had been forwarded to each of them so they could issue a formal response as required by state law. Under state law, the town has 10 days to respond to the request with an acknowledgment.

“Haddad Report” Delayed By Detour To Boston Attorney’s Desk

By Art Campbell

Feb 142012

Art Campbell | The Groton Line

Groton Board of Selectmen (l-r) Eliot, Dillon, Cunningham, Schulman, and Degen discuss the elusive investigator's report.

The private investigator’s report into Town Manager Mark Haddad’s electronic relationship with Groton resident Meghan Volpe may be a step closer to arriving in town hall, but the content of the report and exactly “When will it get here?” are still unanswered questions.

According to a brief statement read by Board of Selectmen Chairwoman Anna Eliot during Monday evening’s BoS meeting, a “Preliminary report was delivered to town counsel for legal review on Friday (February 10)” by Arthur Parker of Billingsgate Associates instead of being delivered to the board. The detour to David Doneski’s desk at the Kopelman and Page law firm in Boston apparently took all selectmen except Eliot by surprise. At last Monday’s BoS meeting, all selectmen reviewed and signed a contract with Parker that includes the instructions: “Unless waived by the Town, the Investigator shall provide a written report to the Board within fifteen days of the conclusion of the investigation conducted hereunder, which shall include a detailing of the hours worked and activities performed and the findings and conclusions of the investigation.” (Click here to view the contract.)

Selectman Stuart Schulman was eager to receive the report and help the town move onward. “I mean, when are we going to get it?” he asked Eliot. “That’s the question. And what is he (Doneski) doing, exactly?”

Eliot did not know when Doneski would present the report, or what work still remained to be done in the investigation or the report, saying: “It’s not in its final form. Mr. Parker has not produced the final draft.” Without giving any details, she explained that “I am adhering to a process that I believe is in the best interests of the town.”

Selectman Josh Degen said in the meeting: “I have serious issues with the report having been delivered to town counsel and not delivered to the board. The agreement, the four-page agreement which we signed and executed, specifically on page one says that the report should be provided to the selectmen, not the town counsel. And I don’t understand why something that we authorized ended up in the hands of counsel. I personally don’t care what the legal ramifications are to either the town manager, the person making the complaint, or this board. What I care about are the findings of the investigation. That we didn’t receive that directly is basically a slap in the face to the members of this board.”

The investigation was initiated in December 2011, to determine if Manager Mark Haddad’s electronic communications with Meghan Volpe last year involved town time, resources, or equipment. Doneski recommended Parker as the investigator because his firm had worked with Parker in the past, Eliot and Selectman Peter Cunningham said. At the time, board members hoped the report would be delivered in January. Then the delivery date slipped into early February and a second time, to mid-month. Eliot didn’t have a firm delivery date for the report, but said she hoped it would be this week.

When Doneski — or Parker — delivers the report to the town, the five selectmen will receive the report. After they review it individually, they may elect to meet to discuss the report. If they also choose to meet with Haddad, state law requires that he be given 48-hour notice of the board’s intention to meet and to be provided with a copy of the report.

Eliot told the other board members that she had received notice the initial $3000 allocated in the contract would be exceeded several weeks ago and had communicated that fact to every board member. Degen replied that he had not been told; the other selectmen were silent. The contract the selectmen signed last week includes: “Investigator shall not perform services that will result in billings that will exceed $3,000.00 without further written authorization of the Town.”

Dillon Retirement Kicks Off Spring Election Race

By Art Campbell

Feb 122012

Art Campbell | The Groton Line

Selectman Fran Dillon Announced That He Would Not Seek Re-election

It was a tough decision for three-term Groton Selectman Fran Dillon. His voice breaking as he made his announcement during last week’s Board of Selectman’s meeting, Dillon announced that he would not seek a fourth three-year term in this spring’s town election. Dillon earned a reputation for no-nonsense financial pragmatism and an unflappable demeanor through heated discussions and debates — the “adult influence” on the board, Selectman Peter Cunningham joked when he offered his regrets over Dillon’s impending departure.

Coming off a tumultuous year that included a devastating downtown fire, a failed attempt to purchase land for a new central fire station, negotiated “resignations” of town employees accused of wrong-doing in the water and police departments, alleged personal improprieties by the town manager, and the beginning of several controversial redevelopment projects that will change the face of the town center, Dillon’s announcement opened the door to what could be a spirited contest for the only open seat on the five-member board. With just three years of experience under the new town charter, the BoS is still working to reinvent and define its role working with a town manager who runs day-to-day operations.

Political newcomer Eric Garger, Redskin Trail, was at the head of the line, pulling nomination papers for the BoS on January 30, the first day they could be drawn from the Town Clerk’s office. Career politician Bob Hargraves, Temple Drive, didn’t waste any time throwing his hat into the ring — he pulled nomination papers for selectman on February 2. A former state representative and selectman, he lost his last bid to return to the BoS and has been serving as a member of the appointed Financial Committee (FinCom).

Besides the BoS, other open offices span a wide range of opportunities including three seats on planning board, two seats on the regional school board (which will be picking a new superintendent of schools), two on the water commission, two on the library commission, and single seats on several other bodies including the board of assessors and electric light commission. The complete list of offices that are open is in a table, below, and includes a list of any incumbent office holders who have either pulled nomination papers or already announced an intention to run for re-election. The town’s official list is available on the town web site at www.townofgroton.org.

Nomination papers are available from the town clerk for all offices. Forty-nine valid voters’ signatures are required to place an individual’s name on the ballot. The deadline to file nomination papers bearing the signatures is Tuesday, April 3 at 5:00 p.m.

**Open Elective Offices For May 2012 Town Election**
Board	Number of vacancies	Term	Incumbent	Seeking Re-election?
Board of Assessors	1	3 years	Jenifer B Evans	Yes
Board of Health	1	3 years	Susan Horowitz	Yes
Board of Selectmen	1	3 Years	Fran Dillon	No
Commission of Trust Funds	1	3 years	Joseph E Twomey	Yes
Groton Electric Light Commission	1	3 years	Kevin J Lindemer	Yes
Park Commission	1	3 years	David C Howes
Planning Board	3	3 years	Carolyn A Perkins	Yes
			Raymond C Capes
			Russell Burke	Yes
Sewer Commission	1	3 years	Thomas D Hartnett
Town Clerk	1	3 years	Michael Bouchard	Yes
Town Moderator	1	3 years	Robert L Gosselin
Trustees of the Groton Public Library	2	3 years	Jane R Allen
			Kristen A Von Campe	Yes
Groton-Dunstable Regional School Committee	2	3 years	Alberta E Erickson
			Alison S Manugian
Water Commission	1	3 years	Gary W Hoglund
	1	1 year	Jessica Cajigas

Primary Election Information

Entirely separate from the May town election is the Massachusetts Presidential Primary on Tuesday, March 6, 2012.
This primary election will choose presidential candidates for each political party. The party winners of the primary election will then run in the General Election on November 6, 2012.

The deadline to register to vote in this election is Wednesday, February 15, 2012. Voter registration is done at the Town Clerk’s office, 173 Main St., Groton during normal business hours. The office will be open until 8:00 p.m. on February 15 for the purpose of voter
registration.

Absentee ballots for the March 6 Presidential Preference Primary are also available at the Town Clerk’s
Office. Massachusetts allows voters to vote by absentee ballot if they:

will be absent from your city or town on election day, and/or
have a physical disability that prevents your voting at the polling place, and/or
can not vote at the polls due to religious beliefs.

Monday, March 5 at Noon is the last day and hour to request an absentee ballot. Ballots are available now for those who know they meet the above criteria. Contact the Town Clerk’s office at 978-448-1100 or [email protected] for more information on any aspect of either election.

Police Firing Range Question: How Much Regionalization?

By Art Campbell

Apr 132011

View Larger Map

Groton Selectmen voted Monday evening (April 11) to keep the town police firing range closed to all but Groton officers and Internal Revenue Service agents, extending a period of quiet that started late last year when the range closed for the winter. In addition, the range would be used only for qualification testing with sidearms, not for practice sessions. The limitation pleased the group of 8-10 neighbors of the Cow Pond Brook Road range, who gave the selectmen a round of applause after their vote.

The Selectmen passed a motion based on Town Manager Mark Haddad’s recommendation: “I suggest… that you vote to keep the range closed to everyone but Groton police officers and the IRS and within three months, the chief comes back and updates you on the NRA audit and the regionalization. I think that’s a reasonable compromise.”

After the meeting, Haddad explained that he meant to separate the two issues. The range will be limited to the two groups of shooters, period, unless the board revisits the issue. Palma’s report to the board, to take place within three months, should concentrate on two things: the results of the NRA safety audit and Palma’s effort to replace the range with a regional indoor shooting facility.

The Groton department numbers 23 regular and reserve officers. The IRS contingent is about 15 agents. The Selectmen’s vote trims the total number of officers who may use the range to about a tenth the number who were eligible last year. Also, the action specifies that the range may only be used for two or three times per year certification tests. Groton officers will practice on their own at other public or private ranges, not the town range.

Police Chief Donald Palma had originally recommended that the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council r(NEMLEC) and Middlesex Sheriff’s Department SWAT teams should be allowed to use the range. On paper, the two teams have 45 and 25 members, respectively. But the actual number of people attending training would have been less because of individual member’s conflicting duties and because the membership overlaps: the Sheriff’s team is part of the NEMLEC team.

Instead of supporting that proposal, the Board of Selectmen backed Groton residents who had complained of too much noise and heavy range use.

And they took a different slant on regionalization. Acting to implement another suggestion, the Board directed Palma to contact Congressman Nicki Tsongas and Massachusetts Senators Scott Brown and John Kerry to seek federal funds for a regional indoor police range and training facility. They pointed out that Groton had provided the range as a regional resource for about 20 years, and only curtailed that commitment because the need for the resource overwhelmed the community. But they signalled their intention to keep Groton involved in regional activities by spearheading and offering to host a replacement for the outdoor range.

Selectman Fran Dillon told the board that Palma had addressed the issues and questions related to range safety, control, and operation that residents and selectmen raised at the March 28 meeting.

Leading the list was range safety. Palma initially requested a range safety audit by the National Rifle Association after meeting with residents last fall. Palma said that he had talked with NRA representatives in January, and both agreed to schedule the range audit in this spring. Palma said last week that he expected to set the date within two or three weeks, adding that he thought the range was quite safe: “I think we already meet or exceed what the NRA’s going to tell us.”

He said that the Selectmen’s insistence on local control of the range had been in place for some time. For the last two years, only he, Lieutenant James Cullen, and the department’s range officer have had the combination to the range lock, he said. Palma stressed that the range is only suitable for pistols and short-range weapons so those are the only types of weapons in use.

Dillon said that NEMLEC and the Sheriff’s Department would support Groton’s proposal for a new regional indoor facility. NEMLEC includes 52 town or cities and two sheriff’s departments. Groton provides two officers for NEMLEC’s motorcycle unit and Rapid Response team. Palma is a consultant to the NEMLEC incident management unit, and Connell is a consultant to the Rapid Response team.

NEMLEC Member Communities Include 52 Cities and Towns and Two Sheriff's Departments

NEMLEC President James Cormier, who is also Chief of Police in Reading, said his organization understands the Groton situation, but did say that the Groton range is important both to his organization and its member communities because: “There are not a lot of options, a lot of range time, available in the region. We try not to overuse any particular facility, but if we lose a facility it puts strains on the facilities that are left. We try to take advantage of all the opportunities in all the communities that are available to us.”

Groton gets its pay back from NEMLEC fairly often, Palma said. “They have a number or specialized units that all the towns couldn’t afford to have by themselves. And we use them say, six to ten times a year. We’ve used the STARs team, the School Threat and Response team, a number of different times. We’ve had the Rapid Response Unit, which gives you a large amount of manpower right away, in several times — I use them for missing person searches. We’ve used the K9 units a number of times. The SWAT team has been on standby twice in the last year. Fortunately I didn’t need them, but they were on standby, ready to help. The incident management unit, the mobile command post; we use that every year for the Groton Road Race. Although it’s a Sheriff’s vehicle, it’s a NEMLEC unit. And the computer crimes unit we’ve been using a lot more than we ever did.”

Haddad pointed out that residents may be seeing regionalization in operation more often than they realize; that it isn’t always a crisis situation. “By providing a regional service to other officers, they also provide things to us that help out. For example, helping us out when we need details for the road race, for graduation, for football games, things like that. People don’t see the benefit to that directly, but believe me, there is a benefit.”

Members of the BoS and Haddad are keen to reap the benefits of a regional approach to provide better services. Haddad said: “Regionalization is a goal that the selectmen established this year. We’ve done it with the building inspector, we’re trying to do it with an economic development director, we already have a regional dispatching facility with Dunstable, we have a regional school district… By regionalizing, you can provide a better level of services less expensively, so I always look to regionalization as an option — if we can do it together with someone else better and less expensively, why not do that?”

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Primary Election Information

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