Select Board Ratifies New Police Officer

Select Board · Meeting of November 2, 2026

GROTON — The Groton Select Board voted unanimously to ratify Mark Francis as the town's newest police officer, replacing Ian Pereira. Francis brings 20 years with the Townsend Police Department. The town manager told the board Groton School's payment in lieu of taxes rose 4.2 percent to $250,000 this fiscal year.

Staff also outlined a projected $2 million deficit for a level-service fiscal 2028 budget, floating three possible override scenarios, including one adding four firefighters per shift. The board separately accepted a conservation land deed on Monarch Path, appointed four members to the Groton Cultural Council and approved two one-day liquor licenses. A Main Street traffic study public hearing was set for November 19 at 7 p.m.

In the full story:

• Town Manager's Report: Police Officer Appointment
• Fiscal Year 2027 First Quarter Financial Review
• Select Board Goals and FY28 Update
• FY28 Budget Schedule and Override Scenarios
• Monarch Path Deed Acceptance
• Groton Cultural Council Appointments
• One-Day All-Alcohol Beverage Licenses
• Other Business
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,977 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of November 2, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.