Town of Princeton, MA
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Tree Hearing
Regular Meeting
January 18, 2011-Revised
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM. Present were Chairman Joe O’Brien, Raymond Dennehy, Edith Morgan and Town Administrator John Lebeaux.
FY11 Warrant #15
The Board reviewed and signed the payroll and vendor warrants from the Treasurer and Accountant.
Minutes
January 3, 2011- Regular Meeting - Edie moved to accept the minutes. Raymond seconded. All in favor (3-0).
Public Shade Tree Hearing
Joe declared the hearing open at 5:10 pm. and read the notice as published in the Landmark. Tree Warden Joe Lee reported a site visit was held on January 15 to view three trees: #11, which is a 34” white pine; #12 & 13, both are black oak trees. Electrical wires are coming through the middle of the trees. All present at the site visit agreed they need to be removed. Resident Elizabeth Hammond attended the site visit and sent a letter stating she had no objections to the removal.
At 5:15 pm Raymond moved to close the hearing and authorize the Tree Warden to remove trees as listed on the public hearing notice. Edie seconded. All in favor (3-0).
Mechanicals Hall & Underutilized Town Assets
Phil Mighdoll was present. Joe reported that Phil drafted a charge for a potential study committee for Mechanics Hall. Joe suggested a study be done for all underutilized town assets, not just Mechanics Hall. Raymond and Edie agreed. Phil revised the draft and will send to board members for review and comments. Further discussion will take place at the next meeting along with a review of potential candidates. John will provide a list of properties to be included in the study.
CIP Committee
The board discussed who will provide select board representation on the CIP. It was agreed all will share the role. Joe will begin the process; Raymond and Edie will attend future meetings.
Planning Board Special Article Request
Planning Board Chair Tom Daly provided the board with a draft scope of work for a potential village overlay district at Post Office Place. Tom reported the Planning Board agreed to request town meeting to approve $2,000 for CMRPC to fund the project to ensure the town would buy in to the idea before additional work is done. Tom will work with John on language for the article.
Tom asked to be involved in discussions during the Route 140 design phase for potential parking in E. Princeton.
Tom informed the board that Jim LaChance will not run for another term and asked the board to keep in mind any attorneys that may have interest in serving on the Planning Board.
Schedule Dog Hearing
Joe noted the board received a request for a dog hearing.
Edie moved that the Board schedule a Public Hearing Monday, February 14 at 5:10 PM, pursuant to Mass. General Law Chapter 140, Section 157 to consider the complaint of Mary Bolger, 25 Worcester Road, that a dog known as Dakota, owned by Philip Connors, 23 Worcester Road is a public nuisance by virtue of excessive barking. Raymond seconded. All in favor (3-0).
Raymond noted he hopes to resolve prior to the hearing and will try to work with both parties.
John noted the issue first surfaced in July and improved for a period of time after animal control officer involvement.
Draft Inter-municipal Agreement
The board reviewed the agreement sent by the City of Worcester relative to Regional Dispatch and noted it favored Worcester. Prior to entering into any agreement, Town Counsel will need to review. There was discussion on sharing one attorney among all towns involved. It will not only cut legal cost, but will allow for additional negotiating leverage. John noted the town is investigating the options at this time
Thomas Prince School Green Repair Building Committee
John reported a designer for the project will be selected after a project manager is hired. Princeton, Paxton, & Rutland must commit to 100% of the cost of the design phase; however 52% will be reimbursed.
Edie moved that the Princeton Board of Selectmen appropriate the sum of Twenty Four Thousand, Six Hundred ($24,600) Dollars from its Building Maintenance Account #03-5-192-204 to fund a feasibility study to replace a boiler, replace windows and perform roof repairs at the Thomas Prince School, 170 Sterling Road, said sum to be expended under the direction of the School Building Committee, that the Town of Princeton acknowledges that the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (“MSBA”) grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and any costs the Town of Princeton incurs in excess of any grant approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the Town of Princeton.
Raymond seconded. All in favor (3-0).
Thomas Prince Middle School Enrollment Study Committee Update
John informed the Board that Committee Chairman Larry Pistrang updated him earlier in the day on the status of the survey. There had been 184 online responses plus 17 paper copies turned in at TPS. Hard copies had not yet been collected from other locations. Larry is hoping for a total response in the neighborhood of 10% of registered voters (270), a marked increase from the 2006 survey that generated 69 responses. Larry’s report continued by informing the Selectmen the committee is on schedule to deliver its report April 15th. Remaining tasks are drafting the report, voting on recommendations, and separate meetings with TPS Principal Mary Cringan and WRSD Superintendent Tom Pandiscio,
Public Safety Committee – Status Update
John reported the committee has not met since the last BOS meeting but will meet at 7 PM today, and is meeting with Chief LaPorte and senior staff of fire department January 25 at 7 PM at Fire Station 2.
Other Business
John reported the auditors were expected in the building today, but that the storm caused them to push their visit back a day. The Accountant and Treasurer emailed and faxed material directly to the auditor’s office, so work did take place.
The Board agreed to change the start time of its February 14 meeting to 4 PM.
Public Comment
None
Executive Session
At 6:15 PM Edie moved and Raymond seconded that the Board enter into Executive Session pursuant to MGL Chapter 30, Sections 21(2), to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel and not to reconvene into open session. The Board voted by roll call: Joe, yes; Raymond, yes; Edie, yes.
Joe announced that the Board was entering into executive session to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel and would not reconvene into open session.
Respectfully Submitted,
__________________
Brenda Savoie
Administrative Secretary
Referenced Documents
FY 11 Warrant #15
January 3, 2011 Meeting Minutes
Draft - Village Overlay District at Post Office Place
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