April 2024
Town Administrator’s Corner
Message from the Town Administrator
I am a day late with this month’s newsletter, but I am excited to report we had a successful Annual Town Meeting and we are ready for Fiscal Year 2025! We thank all of the residents who attended Town Meeting and all of the boards, committees, departments and staff that worked to assemble information and prepare for the meeting. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes, so I want to be sure to acknowledge all those who helped to make it happen.
Speaking of work behind the scenes, we received feedback that people want to see more information about projects, grants and initiatives staff are working on here in Town. We heard the message loud and clear and created a Grants and Project page on the website. You now have access to all the relevant project information and project updates. Each individual project link will take you to a page that has details about the project, funding sources, contacts, progress reports and documents. You can find the link to the Grants and Project page on the home page.
Project pages are catered to each project and provide unique information. We are excited about this effort and if you have any helpful feedback, please submit to ROldham@groveland.com
We have also started to integrate all of the Community Preservation projects into a similar format on the Community Preservation Committee webpage. This project page provides the application that was submitted and approved, estimates, conceptual plans and more. The goal is to ensure that residents are able to see how these funds are used and watch as a project unfolds.
Please do not forget the local election is Monday, May 6th at Town Hall from 7am to 8pm. See the sample ballot for the list of candidates seeking election and the two ballot questions.
Upcoming Events
Spring Choral Event. The Newburyport Choral Society presents their 2024 Spring Concert: “Resilience & Hope”! This concert will celebrate the resilience of the human spirit, and the redeeming power of hope. See HERE for more information.
Town Election. Monday, May 6th at Town Hall from 7am to 8pm.
Café Jazz. May 10th at 7pm in the PRMHS Dining Commons.
This event is free, food is served, and all are welcome.
Small Business Association. Town of Groveland Economic Development Committee in partnership with the Chesterton Company invites business owners and community members to a small business workshop May 15th from 10am to 12pm. More information can be found HERE. To register see HERE.
Mystery Book Con. On May 18th, the Langley-Adams Library will be co-hosting this special FREE event with Kensington Publishing Corp. Register online or call the Library. The authors will be seated at tables in the main meeting room at Groveland’s Town Hall. Throughout the day, 4 author panels will be held in the Library. See HERE for more information.
Memorial Day. American Legion Post 248, Memorial Day Ceremony will be held on May 23, 2024 at 6:30pm Central Fire Station.
Memorial Day. Bagnall Elementary School Memorial Day Ceremony will be held on May 24th at 9:30am at Bagnall, 253 School Street. See HERE.
Volunteer/Employee Spotlight:
Meet Dave Tuttle
Dave Tuttle, Commander & Chaplain of the American Legion Nathan M. Webster Post 248
Nominated by Laurie LeBlanc and Elizabeth Cunniff
A lifetime of giving: Dave Tuttle moved to Groveland 52 years ago. Dave and his wife Evelyn have three children, two boys and a girl. They have five granddaughters and four great grandchildren; three boys and a girl. Dave and Evelyn will be married 60 years this September.
Dave graduated from Haverhill Trade School in 1958, and joined the Marine Corp in 1958. After leaving active duty in 1963, he joined the Marine Corps Reserve until 1990. In May of 1990, he retired as a Sargent Major. In November of 1990 Dave was recalled to serve during Desert Storm as a casualty assistance officer from 1990 to 1991.
Dave also worked for UPS for 34 years, retiring in 1997.
Dave and Evelyn volunteered as Short-Term Missionary workers for 20 years through their church affiliates with the Alliance Church in Haverhill, MA and the Hope Church in Pittsfield, MA.
Dave has been the Commander and Chaplain of the American Legion Nathan M Webster Post 248 for the past 15 years. During that time, he has helped organized multiple blood drives, as well as helped to raise money for projects the Legion has completed in our community through the years.
He has been a Chaplain for the American Legion District 8 Post of the Merrimack Valley for past four years.
Dave, with the help of his wife, coordinate, organize and run the Town’s Annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day Service. At these services, we celebrate our local retired and active veterans along with those that have passed on from all branches. Dave works with the high school band and chorus, and the Boy Scouts as well as the local clergy and politicians in organizing these memorial events. They organize beautiful events and provide moving poems and readings. The ceremonies conclude with the laying of a wreath and the playing taps at the Town’s Veteran’s Memorial Monument.
Dave currently works with the Men’s Veterans Group through the Rock Church in Plaistow, NH.
Many residents have had the pleasure of interacting with Dave through his work as an Elections Constable for the Town, a service he has been reappointed to for more than 10 years. He is also currently working at Groveland’s seasonal compost yard. Dave truly enjoys talking to, interacting with and getting to know people; working for the Town and his work with the Veterans over the years has been a great way for Dave to get to know so many residents. You may see Dave and Evelyn wearing their red shirts every Friday “Red Shirt Friday”, to honor and support our service men and women along with all veterans. Please be sure to say hello on Election Day, around Town or when you bring your waste to the Highway Yard, and please be sure to thank Dave for his many, many years of service.
Dave’s Motto is “Life is good” but most of all he ends everything with – “Semper Fi” [Always Faithful]
What You Might’ve Missed:
Latest News
MVP Grant Update. The Town of Groveland was awarded a grant to improve resiliency in the Johnson Creek Watershed by designing a new culvert at Lower Center Street and designing and constructing a bioretention area to capture runoff from a Town-owned parking lot. The following project activities occurred in April: (1) completed design plans for the proposed bioretention area at Groveland Park and (2) completed draft design plans and permitting documents for the proposed stream continuity and habitat improvements at Lower Center Street. For more information on the grant, see the project announcement HERE.
Garden Club Annual Plant Sale Pre-Order. Spring is quickly approaching and the Groveland Garden Club is excited to offer the opportunity to pre-order a selection of plants. Order now, and pick up May 18 at our annual plant sale at the “Little Red Schoolhouse” Payment is due at time of order. All proceeds will go towards furthering the mission of the Groveland Garden Club. See HERE to order.
COA Newsletter. May/June 2024 can be found HERE.
Langley-Adams Library Newsletter. May 2024 can be found HERE.
Veasey Rewilding Project. The Veasey Forest is a beautiful natural area that is home to a diverse range of animals, birds, and pollinators. The nature trails are enjoyed by thousands of nature enthusiasts each year. This area of the forest, unfortunately, has been taken over by invasive non-native vines that have encroached on the hillside, threatening the delicate balance of the ecosystem. However, the MA Master Gardeners are working to restore and reforest these 9,000 square feet back to its natural self-sustaining ecosystem for the benefit of all creatures. By removing invasive non-native vines and planting dense native trees, shrubs, and groundcover, we are creating a sustainable habitat for the many creatures who call Veasey Park their home. Reforesting Veasey is crucial to preserving and restoring the native habitat. By planting indigenous trees, shrubs, and groundcover, we are creating a sustainable home for the creatures who live in the Veasey Forest. Dense plantings will provide food and shelter for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife, while also creating a beautiful and natural environment for visitors to enjoy. On April 26th , a planting initiative and forest dedication was held at the site, coordinated by Dianne Plantamura. It was a huge success, and I would like to extend very special thank you to Dianne and her team for all of their efforts and their dedication to this important initiative.
Department Spotlight:
Economic Development Planning & Conservation
What is MBTA Zoning & What Does it Mean for Groveland?
MBTA Zoning, more formally Mass General Law Chapter 40A Section 3A, requires that MBTA Communities have an area within their community zoned for multifamily housing.
Groveland is considered an MBTA Community because our neighbor, Haverhill, is served by the Commuter Rail.
The Guidelines issued by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities give the Town additional guidance on how to be in compliance with this Law. Groveland must, by December 31, 2025, zone a minimum 8.7-acre area of land that would allow for 15 units of housing to be built per acre, meaning that the area must allow for 130 units of housing to be built as-of-right.
How will Groveland comply?
The Town of Groveland will begin working on potential strategies after Town Meeting. The first step will be an MBTA Communities 101 Workshop for the Select Board and Planning Board.
The next step will be a similar public workshop
to gather community input on the options for locations, housing types, and density levels. This workshop will be supported by an online option for input for those who cannot attend in person.
Finally, the Town will develop draft zoning that will be presented to the public for comments and then added to the standard public hearing process for zoning change
through Town Meeting.
The community will have multiple opportunities
for input and comment.
The Town received a grant with the State’s Community OneStop Program to hire a consultant to assist in the planning and drafting of compliant zoning.
The Town hired Innes Associates. RKG Associates will conduct the fiscal impact study. Innes Associates also assisted the Town with the Groveland Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in 2023.
There will be a community engagement session to discuss this matter with the consultant and Town Staff this summer, so be sure to check the Community Calendar for when that event will take place.
Town Staff are also actively monitoring the legal proceedings in Milton, and how that may affect what this Law means for Groveland.
For more information on MBTA Zoning in Groveland and links to State resources on the law, please be sure to check out the Grants & Project page, and navigate to “MBTA Zoning, MGL Chapter 40A, Section 3A”.
Annie Schindler, Town Planner & Conservation Agent
