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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-4 Planning Board MinutesPage 1 of 1 TOWN OF GROTON PLANNING BOARD Minutes of Special Meeting via Zoom - Thursday, 4 February 2021 - 7:30 PM Town Offices – 101 Conger Boulevard – Groton, NY Members, Groton Planning Board (*Absent) Others Present Mark Baxendell, Chairman Don Scheffler, Town Supervisor Leon Brockway, Jr., Vice-Chairman Rick Fritz, Town CEO Monica Carey Robin Cargian, Deputy Town Clerk/Host Edward Neuhauser Brian Klumpp, Town Councilman Lisa Maloney Hahn Fran Casulloo, Town Attorney Samuel Rose Joan Fitch, Board Secretary Dan Cerretani Applicants & Public in Attendance Jeff Brockway, Applicant; Jolene Brockway. Sam & Natalie Sweeney. The meeting of the Town of Groton Planning Board was opened at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Mark Baxendell who announced that Town Attorney Fran Casullo wished to speak to those present. Attorney Casullo stated he had asked to speak first at this meeting in order to disclose, and place on the record, that he had received an email from Deputy Clerk Robin Cargian on 1 February asking that he attend this meeting, representing the Town. He reviewed the packet received from the Deputy Clerk and discovered that he had represented the applicant, Jeffrey Brockway, in the purchase of the subject property at 700 Stevens Road (TM #31.-1-19.52). Attorney Casullo had also represented Mr. Brockway in the purchase of the business at another location. As of Monday, February 1, 2021, he said he had absolutely no involvement in this matter, nor did he know this matter was pending until then. Attorney Casullo also affirmed that he has done nothing since that time relative to this matter. He does not want anyone from the public who has an issue to feel that they are not going to be heard, or that the applicant is being given an unfair advantage; they should be given the right to speak. Chairman Baxendell, noting there were two unidentified participants on the screen and asked if they would identify themselves and give any comments they would like with regard to Attorney Casullo representing the Town in this matter. The participants identified themselves as Sam and Natalie Sweeney, neighbors, who stated they had an issue with Town Attorney Casullo representing the Town with regard to Mr. Brockway’s application. Town Attorney Casullo then stated that the Town would need to hire another attorney who does not have a conflict. Chairman Baxendell stated that since there was a conflict, the Board will adjourn this Special Meeting and place the subject application onto the Agenda for the 18 February 2021 regular meeting of this Board at 7:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT At 8:40 p.m., a motion was made by Member Sam Rose to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Member Lisa Maloney Hahn, with all members present voting in favor. Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary Emailed to Supv., Town/Deputy Clerks, CEO Fritz, Attorney Casullo & Board Members on 2/7/21.