Town of Princeton, Mass.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN -- July 29, 2013
6:00 PM Open Meeting The meeting was called to order in the Town Hall Annex. Present were Chairman Stan Moss, Edith Morgan, Neil Sulmasy and Town Administrator John Lebeaux.
Warrants and minutes
Review and Approve Vendor and Payroll Warrants: FY13 #28; FY14 # 2
Board voted all in favor to approve minutes for July 1 and July 15
Scheduled Meetings/Appointments
6:12 PM All Council on Aging members and several interested parties came in to discuss the director’s job. Interim director Sue Shanahan was present. Chair Beverly Lind and member Edith Johnston explained to selectmen that they expected their director to be present at senior activities and events, providing outreach, and be available for more office time than is currently happening. They questioned why their director position was blended with the Parks & Rec director position and insisted that the roles should be held by separate individuals. They also questioned why no one on the Council on Aging was asked to fill the interim director position.
John L. explained that after director Gaile Rollins died on June 2, he had only eight days before his vacation [overseas] in which to get someone to step into the existing combined position of COA Director/Princeton Center Coordinator. The job involved 15 hours per week as COA director plus eight hours as Princeton Center manager. The end of fiscal year ‘13 was approaching on June 30, and financial details of all town departments needed to be finalized by then. Plus, daily administrative duties such as payables and receivables needed immediate attention. Expanding the duties of an existing department head with town finance experience seemed most effective and expeditious. John recommended Sue for the position for these reasons plus her demonstrated talent organizing
group programs. He also pointed out that “outreach” is a role for the council members as well as for the director.
Neil described Sue’s success with Parks & Rec programming and her inclusiveness and dedication to the needs of all town residents. Suggestions were offered about different ways of looking at management at Princeton Center, such as having administrative duties and financials done by one person and a separate outreach coordinator to engage senior citizens, including finding those who are not yet participating in existing senior programs. That person could be a senior on the tax work-off program, a staff person or a volunteer.
John stated that he had received no charge or indication from the Board to expand personnel and increase budget. He viewed this consolidation as a means to expand hours of staffing in the Princeton Center without increasing spending.
Stan reiterated that Sue is a high-performing department head and that COA volunteers aren’t familiar with financial protocol and compliance issues. He noted that Princeton Center can get 30 hours of coverage by placing Sue there in her three-pronged role.
The COA asked if this position will be posted, and John replied that the selectmen make all appointments and hiring decisions, and they could re-organize the job descriptions and hours and choose to post it, or not. Neil asked about programs and the hours needed. The COA outlined the current, ongoing activities: Tuesdays offerings were lunch program; exercise class; bridge game and cooking class. Wednesdays had yoga class and exercise was offered on Fridays. Plus, there was a monthly senior meal sponsored by local church groups and others. It was noted that Princeton has 662 residents over age 60.
Edith suggested calling a meeting of the COA, Sue, John L. and herself to consider the old COA mission statement to possibly update it, set goals and figure out who should be doing what among both staff and volunteers, including office hours and other responsibilities.
7:12 PM On behalf of Parks & Rec, Sue S. reported that playground equipment will be installed around mid-August, which is on schedule. To save money, Neil S. and a crew are dismantling and disposing of the old equipment, and the school district delivered a free, unsolicited load of mulch——which will also save money.
New Business
7:25 PM Selectmen reviewed a list from the town clerk of 27 Election Officers with terms ending July 31, 2014 and voted all in favor to approve the list.
John L. reported that the cemetery superintendent position posting was approved by the Cemetery Commission on June 18 and internal and external postings were done simultaneously. Bruce Rollins has resigned but offered to continue service as needed in the interim. The position remains open until filled.
7:30 PM The board voted all in favor to transfer a deed for two lots in Woodlawn Cemetery. The Bisol family sold back to the town the two lots for $600, and the lots were sold to the Allen family for $1,200. The board signed both cemetery deeds.
Old Business
John L. presented an update on the Code RED Emergency Notification System and noted that the phone notice went out to the published numbers, instructing residents to register any additional numbers, such as cell phones or email, on the website or by phone, or to withdraw from the program. There are 1,759 numbers in the system to date, with over 500 registrations including 257 emails.
7:40 PM Stan reported that bids had been opened for a new FD pumper. Town meetings had approved using up to $60,000 and a bid came in at $57,000.
7:45 PM Adjourned Selectmen voted all in favor to adjourn
Respectfully submitted, Marie Auger, administrative assistant
Referenced Documents; spreadsheets for election officers to July 2014; Bruce Rollins resignation letter and Cemetery Commission minutes; COA Guide for Board Members; COA job matrix; FY14 Opening Report—General Fund; Letter from E. Johnson; letter from B. Lind.
Marie Auger
Administrative Assistant
Planning Department
978-464-2100
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