News

Name: Merrimack Valley MPO Meeting
Start: 2024-04-24T12:00:00-04:00
End: 2024-04-24T13:00:00-04:00
Location: Zoom

Town of Groveland and Pentucket Regional School District Announce Delay in Uptack Road Project Will Result in Bus Route Impact

GROVELAND — Town Administrator Rebecca Oldham and Superintendent Justin Bartholomew report that the Uptack Road project has been delayed, which will impact the school bus commute for Pentucket Regional School District students.

Pentucket Regional Middle andHigh Schools and the Bagnall Elementary School will be affected by this delay, and school bus companies have been notified.

Click here to view the updated bus route information.

Uptack Road will be reopened for travel Sept. 13.

Uptack Road was closed due to culvert demolition. To learn more about the Uptack Road project, click here.

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August 2023

Town Administrator’s Corner

Message from the Town Administrator

Hello and welcome to the first edition of the Town Administrator’s Corner! Here I will be providing monthly updates about issues and projects happening in and around town. We will have a Town Department Section where departments can highlight initiatives and share information with residents. Each edition will also contain a Community Member/Volunteer/Employee Spotlight. This will provide a platform to identify and reward performance and dedication that both exceeds normal expectations and reflects superior performance, innovation and dedication. For future spotlights you can nominate an individual here.

So, what is new? A lot! We have had a busy last two years. We are currently in our third year of having adopted new legislation and appointing the first town administrator. It has been an honor to serve in this role and I look forward to working with all of you as we continue. In such a short time we have had great success! We have adopted financial policies, enacted new procedures and have begun long-term planning for the future of Groveland. But this is just the beginning and there is much more we can do. I hope this newsletter will help provide transparency and open lines of communication. If there is anything that I can do to be of assistance please feel free to email, call or stop in during office hours.

Summer Rain Storms

Recent rain events and flash flooding resulted in major impacts to our public infrastructure. We have assembled a team that includes the Highway Superintendent, Town Planner, Building Commissioner/Flood Plain Administrator and Town Administrator to evaluate the impacts of the storm and identify the specific areas of concern. We will also loop in our MS4 consultants, Comprehensive Environmental, Inc. (CEI), to build upon our infrastructure mapping and identify problem areas. As an immediate response, the Highway team has been out cleaning catch basins and evaluating detentions ponds, culvert areas, etc. If you have any questions relating to drainage and storm impacts, please reach out to the Highway Superintendent, Renny Caroll or 978-556-7208.

Some helpful tips and resources for homeowner and businesses that experienced flooding:

If you have incurred damages to your home as a result of recent flooding, you should immediately file a claim with your business or homeowners’ insurance. Do not wait.
Document the damage with photos including the cleanup process.
Remove water and thoroughly clean areas affected. Drying it out quickly will help prevent further damage and make the cleanup process much easier.
If possible, use dehumidifiers and HEPA air purifiers to help filter out mold spores and allergens.
Make a call or file a claim with your business or homeowners’ insurance company. Do not wait.

2023 Flood Resources for Residents & Businesses

What You Might’ve Missed:
Latest News

2022 Annual Town Report

Groveland Council on Aging Welcomes New Director Alyssa Lee and New Outreach Coordinator Janet Delmare

*PHOTOS* Town of Groveland Opens New Community Trail

Trash Update

Residents are able to report missed trash pick-ups and schedule bulk item pick-ups online.

Employment Opportunities

Public Grounds and Cemetery Supervisor

The Town of Groveland is seeking qualified candidates to fill our full-time position of Public Grounds and Cemetery Supervisor. The Public Grounds and Cemetery Division, within the Highway Department is responsible for the daily operation of the Riverview Cemetery and operation and maintenance of Public Grounds in the Town of Groveland.

Part-Time Van Driver

The Town of Groveland, Council on Aging (COA) is currently seeking a responsible and compassionate individual to join our team as a Part-Time Van Driver. As a van driver, you will play a crucial role in providing safe and affordable transportation services for elderly and disabled adults within the community.

Recreation Summer Program Director

The Town of Groveland is seeking a dynamic Director to lead our Summer Program at the Bagnall Elementary School. Applicants must possess a high energy level, a strong work ethic, and administrative experience. The Summer Program Director will be responsible for extensive planning prior to the start of camp.

More information about these open positions can be found here.

Town Projects

Uptack Culvert Replacement

Uptack Culvert Project. The Town received a $1 million grant award from the MassWORKS Infrastructure Small Town Rural Assistance Program (STRAP) to replace the culvert on Uptack Road over Meadow Pond. The construction contract was awarded to Kodiak Corporation, and they have been at work over the Summer. The recent rain events have pushed back the project completion date and unfortunately the September 6^th date has now become September 8^th.

Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) Update. Hazard mitigation planning is the process of reducing vulnerability to natural hazards through comprehensive planning that protects and bolsters our communities, natural systems, and built infrastructure. The Town is working with the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission on this effort and the Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update will include ten other communities in the Merrimack Valley. This study is timely with the recent storm events and we hope it will help the Town address our areas of vulnerability and enhance our response.

Housing Production Plan (HPP) Update. The Town is working with the Merrimack Valley Regional Planning Commission on the HPP. The project will focus on identifying the community’s housing goals and building consensus on approaches we can use to increase housing production that are consistent with community values. HPPs give communities under the 10% threshold of Chapter 40B but are making steady progress in producing affordable housing on an annual basis, more control over comprehensive permit applications for a specified period of time.

Comprehensive Master Plan. A comprehensive plan is a document that expresses the community’s vision for its future and establishes a plan to achieve that vision. In Massachusetts, the plan requirements fall under Massachusetts General Laws in Chapter 41, Section 81D. The Town has been working with Innes Associates, Inc. and Form + Place on this initiative. The consultant recently gave a presentation at the Board of Selectmen meeting on August 28^th and there is an active survey for residents to provide feedback, see here. It is extremely important that we hear from all of you to make sure the plan accurately reflects the needs of the Town. This plan gives staff a blueprint with how to move forward with grants and other funding initiatives. It also guides land use zoning – where you want to see business, mixed use, housing and open space.

Route 97/School Street and Salem Street Intersection Signalization. The Town received $800,000 from the MassWORKS Infrastructure Program. Working with Coviello Electric the project has been underway since June, and we have experienced some delays due to supply delivery. We are expecting the signals to be up and running by November. We will also mill and overlay the intersection and are currently coordinating when that work will take place.

Please visit our Grants and Project page in the interim for more detailed information concerning the projects mentioned above and others.

Volunteer & Employee Spotlight:
Meet Mike Dempsey

Mike Dempsey knows how to get things done. He knows more people in Groveland than anyone else, too. These are not hyperbolic statements – anyone who knows Mike knows they are hard facts. Unassuming, considerate, pragmatic, and tireless, he is the town’s hardest working volunteer. Mike’s been instrumental in preserving green spaces, historically significant places, public use trails – and more! It’s hard to know just how much he’s done for Groveland, and beyond, but what we do know is that it’s a lot.

Mike started out as a research chemist working on the earliest lithium batteries for 15 years. He went on to become president of an IT company called GorilLAN, in case you were wondering why the Conservation Commission had such amazing Zoom connections during the pandemic. He was able to retire early in 2013, but that was just his paid position! You see, Mike believes in “giving back to the community”. He enthusiastically says that “people matter” and that they need to care.

Mike and his equally civic-minded wife, Jan, raised their children in Groveland, and now have 5 grandkids in town to show for it. You’ve probably seen Mike and Jan around town, even if you don’t know who they are. Both are active in town politics and committees as public servants, making their retirements as unrelaxing as possible. Mike and Jan are what you call a powerhouse couple. Oh sure, they get away to Vermont to her family homestead when they can, and you might hear of a trip to the beach in Florida once in a while but make no mistake: their work here is never done. Former director of the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library, Jan is now Vice Chair of the Board of Library Trustees for Groveland, still striving to help the public to engage in lifelong learning. Mike has been Chair of the Conservation Commission for most of the last 20 years, 3 years after he first joined the commission in 2000.

Mike first joined the Conservation Commission when his neighbors started expressing concern about proposed development at Meadow Pond. Within just a couple of years, working with local, state and even national organizations, the town was able to permanently protect the 58 acre property as Meadow Pond Reservation, as a critical part of a 500 acre corridor of undeveloped land that stretches to the Parker River in Georgetown. This area is known habitat for two rare turtle species, the spotted turtle and the wood turtle. Groveland is also home to the endangered Blanding’s turtle, and the town works closely with the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program to help protect turtle habitat.

The Conservation Commission is the local entity that administers the Wetland Protection Act for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ensuring that proposed activities will not alter resource areas by reviewing proposals on a case by case basis and following the regulations. “The law regulates many types of work in resource areas, including vegetation removal, regrading, and construction of houses, additions, decks, driveways, and commercial or industrial buildings. If you want to work in a wetland resource area or within 100 feet of a wetland (an area called the buffer zone), contact the conservation commission before you start work.” Groveland’s Conservation Commission meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 7pm at Town Hall.

If you were thinking that was all Mike does for the town, he is also Chair of the Community Preservation Committee, and until they were formally disbanded after their charges were deemed complete, both the Town Government Study Committee and the Elm Square Committee. He oversaw the Open Space and Trails Committee until their umbrella shifted to the Recreation Committee. You will see Mike at most Board of Selectmen meetings, where he is frequently called upon to share his knowledge and expertise. You’ll also see him out on the trails supervising maintenance and clean ups.

And if you thought his work stopped in Groveland, then you didn’t hear that he also teaches English as a Second Language (ESL) at the First Congregational Church in Revere. Because, yes, he really is that awesome.

Nominated by Stephanie Bartelt & Dianne Plantamura. Write-up and Photos provided by Stephanie Bartelt.

Department Spotlight:
Groveland Inspectional Services Department

Why do I need permits to work on my own house?

This is a question I hear on a regular basis, and it is a great question to ask. While it is frustrating when you’re ready to get going on your new kitchen, bathroom, or swimming pool, permits protect what is likely your largest asset for not only you but for future owners of the property. Getting a permit can sometimes involve additional processes that cause delays, so it is best to start planning and asking questions well before you’re ready to apply for the permit.

As a homeowner you can apply for and be approved for a building permit (plumbing, gas and electrical permits must be retained by an individual licensed in that specific trade) but keep in mind the permit holder assumes all the responsibility for the work done, inspections required and for the contractors working on the job. The permit holder is responsible for knowing the Building Code and ensuring the work is completed to that code. If mistakes are made, you as the permit holder, are responsible for having it corrected. If an individual working on the job is injured or causes damage to your home and is not properly insured, as the permit holder you may be held responsible. Homeowners insurance may or may not cover these issues so if you decide to retain you own permit it would be best to check with your insurance company to confirm coverage. Lastly, if a contractor asks you to get the permit this should raise a red flag. If a contractor is properly licensed and insured, they should want to retain their own permit as this protects them as well.

When a licensed contractor applies for the permit, the Inspection Department ensures the license is valid and current and that the appropriate insurance is in place. The contractor is responsible for all workers on site, meeting the requirements of the Building Code and for calling for and standing for all inspections as well as correcting any issues that are found by the inspector. In short, they own it all and are responsible for every aspect of the job from start to finish.

Failure to get the appropriate permit(s), inspection(s), and close out the permit(s) can result in insurance companies not covering claims, banks not approving loans or mortgages, or delays in the sale of the home. As a homeowner, always check to be sure when any work is done on your home, that a permit is issued, inspections are completed, and the permit is closed out. Smaller jobs such as heating equipment, hot water tanks, or air conditioning systems are typically forgotten to be closed out by the contractor. As a homeowner you can log into our permitting system at the Town website to see the status of a permit or you can call or email the office to check that everything is in order and the correct process is being followed.

Most importantly, the reason for permits and inspections is public safety. Having qualified, licensed professionals perform the work on your home and having licensed inspectors verify the work has been completed correctly can prevent damage to your home and ensure you and your family are safe.

Please don’t be afraid to ask questions. The Inspection Department is here to help you through the permitting process, answer questions regarding Building Code and Zoning regulations and to be a resource for all of the citizens of Groveland.

Sam Joslin – (978)556-7209

Upcoming Events

Dates to Remember!

September 8^th – Annual Groveland Day 5K Race
September 9^th – Groveland Day 10:00am to 4:00pm at the Pines Recreation Area

Groveland Council on Aging Welcomes New Director Alyssa Lee and New Outreach Coordinator Janet Delmare

New Groveland Council on Aging Director Alyssa Lee. (Photo Courtesy Town of Groveland)
New Groveland Council on Aging Outreach Coordinator Janet Delmare. (Photo Courtesy Town of Groveland)

GROVELAND — The Groveland Council on Aging is pleased to welcome Alyssa Lee as the new Council on Aging Director and Janet Delmare as the new Outreach Coordinator.

COA Director Alyssa Lee has nearly 20 years of leadership experience in non-profit organizations. Director Alyssa Lee is excited to bring her knowledge of human resources, leadership and advocacy for seniors to the Town of Groveland.

“It’s an honor to be entrusted with such a vital role, and I am committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive and vibrant environment where older adults can thrive,” said Lee.

Director Alyssa Lee will be available in the COA Office Mondays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Fridays 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Residents can contact Director Alyssa Lee by e-mail at alee@grovelandma.com or by phone at 978-556-7217.

Outreach Coordinator Janet Delmare came to Groveland with a variety of experience working with seniors, more recently serving as the Outreach Coordinator for the Town of Newbury.

Janet is eager to begin her work in Groveland serving the community and its officials, and working with supporting agencies.

Janet Delmarewill be available in the Outreach Office, Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Residents can reach out to Outreach Coordinator Janet Delmareby e-mail at JDelmare@grovelandma.com or by phone at 978-556-7222.

For more information about the Groveland Council on Aging click here.

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Town of Groveland, Massachusetts

Groveland Council on Aging Announces Summer Programs and Events

GROVELAND — Director Alyssa Lee and the Groveland Council on Aging are pleased to share summer programs and events offered by the Council on Aging.

The Groveland COA is kicking off the summer with a variety of programs and events that are being offered for both seniors and community members. Upcoming events include:

Thursday, July 13: Friends of the Council on Aging Meeting

The Friends of the Council on Aging will meet at 3 p.m. in the Town Hall Center Meeting Room, 183 Main St.

The Friends of the Council on Aging is a local non-profit 501(c)3 organization which helps with financial support for programs and events for the Groveland COA.

This is an opportunity for community members to connect with people, share ideas and create a positive impact on the community, while supporting our older adults.

All are welcome and Groveland residency is not required.

Tuesday, July 18: Senior CharlieCard Day

Senior CharlieCard Day will be held at Town Hall, 10:30 a.m. Residents 65 and older are eligible for a reduced MBTA fare when they sign up for a Senior CharlieCard.

The Senior CharlieCard is valid for eight years and the reduced fare rate is up to 50 percent off. The card can also be used to purchase reduced monthly passes for the Ferry, Commuter Rail, and the Express Bus.

This program is sponsored by State Sen. Bruce Tarr’s office and MassDOT, and is open to residents and community members 65 and up, who are applying for a first time CharlieCard.

Seniors who would like to attend this event can sign-up by calling the COA Office at 978-372-1101 and should bring a copy of either their state ID, a valid driver’s license, or a passport.

Thursday, July 20, and Thursday, Aug. 24: Council on Aging Games

The Groveland COA will host ping pong and cornhole games for seniors and residents under the tent at Town Hall. Games will start at 10 a.m.

This event is free and open to residents and members of surrounding communities.

Thursday, Aug. 17: Community Show and Luncheon

Singing star Ruth Harcovitz will perform her show, “The Sound of Music in Songs and Stories” for community members at the Town Hall Center Meeting Room. The show begins at 12:30 p.m. following a luncheon held under the tent at Town Hall.

The show is free. Tickets for the luncheon are $8 per person. To reserve lunch tickets, please contact the Groveland COA at 978-372-1101.

Residents and community members who are interested in attending the performance are required to sign-up by Monday, Aug. 14, by contacting the Groveland COA.

For more information about Ruth Harcovitz and the show, click here.

For more information about summer programs and events hosted by the Groveland COA click here.

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News

Town of Groveland and Pentucket Regional School District Announce Delay in Uptack Road Project Will Result in Bus Route Impact

August 2023

Town Administrator’s Corner