Groton News
Record Enterprise
03/02/2006 - Jo O'Connor 744-8318
grotonnews@yahoo.com
 

It is not news that Groton has national attention due to the fact just about every newspaper in the state, and the Washington Post, the Associated Press, the New Hampshire Public Radio and Channel 9 has carried or is carrying stories about as one reporter put it, a David and Goliath scenario, Groton being David and the North American Training Lodge being Goliath. What may be news is Groton has friends in the surrounding Towns, people who live in this state and people who live outside the state but have vacation homes in Groton are also concerned, like Groton's year round residents, about how a military-type training facility could change the character of the Town.

Judging by the exceptionally large number of people who showed up for the expected February 15 NATL presentation, the select board meeting February 21 and the Planning Board on February 22, the Town of Groton along with it's neighbors and friends have banded together to prevent the change in the Town's nature and that makes Groton a difficult force to be reckon with should the NATL try to move ahead with their plans to be open for business by fall.

So moved are Groton's citizens that among the many in attendance at the Feb. 22 Planning Board were people of all ages, the young, the elderly, the in between ages and a few frail, most if not all anxious to hear attorney Barry Schuster, representing "Concern Citizens for Regional Impact" about the legal tools to persuade the NATL from coming into Groton.

There are many concerns being discussed by having a company like the North American Training Lodge in Groton besides a change in the character of the town; there is the physical environment, noise pollution, more traffic than the roads may be able to handle, several personal safety and fire issues, disruption of the local migration of wild life and a significant drop in the value of homes are among the many concerns.

At the latest Planning Board meeting one gentleman spoke up about his objections to zoning, a view shared by others in Groton, but has since changed his mind considering the situation facing Groton now.

Whatever Groton voters thought about even limited zoning it appeared they were of one mind when Chairman Spafford of the Planning Board asked for a show of hands from registered Groton voters who approved of the board signing the Planning board resolution for an ordinance to regulate commercial development, not one hand was raised in the negative. And when the members of the board began signing their names to the resolution, given to the board by attorney Schuster, a resounding round of applause ensued.

At the conclusion of the PB meeting, a selectman from Dorchester handed Chairman Spafford copies of Dorchester's Land Use ordinances as a possible aid to the board.

While the matter of the North American Training Lodge looms large with the Town's officials, the every day town business continues. At the select board meeting of February 21 under old business it was announced that the revised MS-6 & 2006 to $317,998.00 and under new business a building permit extension was signed for the Golden building and an amended septic design for James Martel.

At this meeting Chuck Stewart of the Newfound regional school district introduced the new superintendent of schools, Marie Ross. Mrs. Ross spoke on the school budget, school programs which included the hiring of a school Resource Officer for the Middle and High School. Only a few questions were asked of Mrs. Ross. The annual report of the Newfound Area School District is available in the Town House.

Most of this select board meeting was devoted to thoughtful discussions on the North American Training Lodge, which was on the agenda as requested by the Concern Citizens group.

Bulletin Board

Tuesdays, the select board meetings begin at 6 p.m. The new 6 p.m. start time will continue until April 4.

Friday, March 10 Mr. Kevin Downey to speak at 7 p.m. in the Town House.

Tuesday, March 14 Town Meeting Day begins at 6 p.m. in the Town House.

Polls Open from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. at the Town House.

Saturday, March 25 Spring Fling from 7 p.m.-11 p.m in the Town House.

Library closed until further notice.

Wednesday, March 29, Conservation Commission Meeting 6 p.m. in the Town House.

Planning Board meetings will be increased schedule to be posted next week

Any business interested in being listed in the proposed business directory please call either Marci at 786-2300 or Jo at 744-8318. Cost is $2.00 per