The following article appeared on Record Enterprise on March 2, 2006.

Board takes step to keep training facility out of Groton
Record Enterprise
STEFANIE PHILLIPS

GROTON — A group proposing a military training facility may have a harder time coming into Groton than originally hoped with the planning board's adoption of interim land use regulations last week.

North American Training Inc. showed their plans for the 150-acre facility containing indoor and outdoor shooting ranges, a skeet range, residential lodges and other training facilities, to a small group of residents in January. A second informational meeting was scheduled for Feb. 15 but was to be rescheduled after the amount of attendees exceeded the Groton Town House's allowable capacity.

The group decided not to hold another informational meeting last week. A notice on the Groton Web site said an agreement could not be made with North American Training.

President William Giffortold the Record Enterprise this week a working group session with the selectmen, not a public hearing, was offered. "We have a standing offer to have a working group session with the selectmenGroton. The selectmen were the ones who cancelled the meeting, so who is doing the disservice to the citizens of Groton? We were trying to do this as a courtesy. I now question whether or not it is worth having one."

A group called the Concerned Citizens for Regional Impact sought legal representation from attorney Barry Schuster, who presented the planning board with the interim regulations last week. The regulations were unanimously accepted by board members and went into effect immediately.

Under those guidelines, any new, major proposed commercial developments must obtain the town's approval through public hearings. Approval from both the selectmen and the voters is required and a special town meeting will be held. If adopted, the regulations would last one year. Current businesses are exempt.

Towns without zoning regulations with "unusual circumstances requiring prompt attention," and "for the developing a growth management process" are permitted to adopt these regulations. Among the reasons these conditions exist, the planning board cited the master plan, impacts to town services, public safety, and the rural character of the town.

The ordinance regulating town development designates Groton a residential community providing "rural and residential housing as well as agricultural and timber management." Non-residential uses, including commercial and industrial uses, require a special exception, to be granted by the board of adjustment.

The special exception has four components addressing neighborhood character, hazards, public health and safety and the site itself.

Gifford said North American Training just received a copy of the regulations and will be evaluating them.

A similar proposal for a proposal was made in the town of Farmington last year. The town's zoning ordinances were clear about the agricultural residential district where the property was located. Special exceptions could not be granted if the potential project created a hazard or had an affect on property values.

Groton residents had been pleading with the selectmen to do something prior to the planning board meeting. The night before, more than 65 residents signed a petition stating they did not want the facility in their town. Residents from surrounding towns also voiced their concerns over safety and noise.

When asked about the noise levels, Gifford said he did not have that information immediately available. He noted the Wal-Mart in Plymouth caused concerns about impact, yet the parking lot is always full.

"There is a local minority who has gone on a campaign of lies about who we are and what we are," he said. "The idea or notion of regional impact is a red herring. There is a process and we are going to follow it. If we have to educate people of what the process is, then so be it."