Town of Princeton, Mass. -- BOARD OF SELECTMEN -- December 30, 2013
6:00 PM 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.
New Business
The board voted all in favor to appoint Laura Luoma from Gardner as assistant to the treasurer–collector for the part-time, non- benefitted position—12 to 15 hours per week--to begin on January 6. John L. explained that the job was posted internally with no response and then they looked at the previous applicants from 18 months ago. He noted that Ms. Luoma was out of state this week and couldn’t attend the BOS meeting.
6:05 PM John L. recommended a revision to the Capital Request Process by revising the minimum level that would trigger this process to be $5,000 rather than the current $2,500. Funding for items less than the minimum would likely be sought through a department’s operating budget. He said the Advisory Board had not yet been approached with the idea. The revision would make it a little more efficient for department heads to make routine purchases, and state procurement regulations would still need to be followed. After some discussion of possible pros and cons, the board voted all in favor to raise the level for a capital request from $2,500 to $5,000.
6:17 PM The board considered an amendment to the East Princeton/Rt.140 Design agreement with GPI Engineering. John had reported that Mass DOT is requiring that any action anticipated to take place after completion of the 25% plans (Phase 2) must occur as part of the 25% plans, in the current contract with GRI. There is a cost shift that has a neutral effect to the town. The board voted all in favor to amend Phase 1 and increase it by $12,000 and similarly decrease Phase 2 by the same amount; and, to approve the chairman’s signature on the document.
Old Business
6:23 PM The board considered issues around the Broadband Committee’s progress with cable TV. They were asked to approve employment of ‘special counsel’ for the cable TV licensing process, since at the December 2 meeting they had authorized John L. to engage legal counsel with experience in cable TV contracts. To meet requirements of Chapter VI, Section 4 of the General Bylaws, the Selectmen must approve the appointment. John L. read the bio of William August of Epstein & August LLP who he recommended as Special Counsel. It stated, in part, that Atty. August has represented more than 70 municipalities in cable franchise renewal and cable regulatory matters and is a recognized leader in municipal cable television law.~~Mr. August was previously General Counsel~to the Massachusetts Cable
Television Division and served as the Cable Division's first municipal~assistance coordinator.~ The attorney has agreed to a very reasonable flat fee for what will be Phase 1 of a Cable Television License process, with his service to last through the receipt of any applications from cable television operators. If none are received, the process and the town’s relationship with special counsel both come to an end. If any applications are received, Mr. August will be asked for a fee proposal for a much more involved Phase 2. The board voted all in favor to engage Mr. August.
The board then discussed an update from the Broadband Committee. The town now has a complete network design that inventories all current wired utilities in town, which the two relevant vendors, Comcast and Charter, have received. It is far beyond what any community has provided in the past and should speed up the process by minimizing the contractors’ scope of work. The board discussed two standard waivers the town can request that could be included in the bid proposal—a requirement that the town advertise nationally for cable TV operators; and, a 60-day limit on the vendors response to the bid request which is sometimes shortened to 30 days with a waiver. Seeing no need to advertise nationally, since only two operators abut Princeton and would be the only bidders, the
selectmen agreed to request that waiver. They discussed the 30-instead-of-60 day waiver at length, finally agreeing to a compromise of 45 days.
The board then considered all recommendations of the Broadband Committee and voted on three motions. They voted all in favor to initiate the cable licensing process pursuant to 207 CMR 3.00; The voted all in favor to request the waiver of the national advertisement of the licensing process. They voted all in favor to seek a Dept. of Telecommunications waiver to allow filing of initial license applications (if any) within 45 days of the advertisement, instead of 60 days.
Scheduled Meetings/Appointments
7 PM As the selectmen had requested, they received an update/status report from the fire department with Chief John Bennett, Dep. Chief Tim Kelly and Dep. Chief Bill Dino present. Mr. Kelly shared some data about the call response, noting that in the two previous months—November and December—there had been no dropped calls and all responses had been met by Princeton personnel, except for one 24-hour period when the ambulance was down even though staff was ready to respond, so two calls went to Westminster. The FD averages 300 to 310 calls per year, of which two-thirds are EMS [medical] calls. EMS finances for the department are sound, since halfway through the fiscal year less than half of ambulance receipts have been spent. An ambulance inspection by the state inspector resulted in a perfect score,
which rarely happens and the selectmen offered congratulations. Chief Bennett has instituted a full schedule of EMS staff coverage, and he said having staff on duty during the day has helped with maintenance of the ambulance and related equipment as well as organization of records and data files. Stan reminded the chief that the town’s auditors are asking for abatement requests from the FD, to close the books on outstanding, unpaid ambulance bills. The report also noted several new staff additions and potential FEMA grant awards to cover a new truck and several costly items of safety equipment.
Discussion continued around senior citizens, as Kelly reported on a small grant for a “Senior Safe” program to start communicating with seniors about prevention of fires and other hazards. With a question about welfare checks to look in on elderly senior residents, it was reported that the FD will be working with the Council on Aging and the Senior Center to create a database of seniors and others who would need the most help during emergencies.
Other Business
7:50 PM Neil reports that in the WRSD, individual towns have traditionally offered sports activities on a reciprocal basis with other district towns, but recently a ruling put an end to that practice, and he offered to research the issue.
7:55 PM Stan reported on behalf of the Broadband Committee that tenants at the Princeton Center don’t have phone wires and are requesting internet access. There is currently a Verizon DSL connection to the COA and Senior Center in the building. The board discussed public access to internet for the TP School and the library and how to increase availability. Neil said he would investigate the school’s status.
Warrants and Minutes
Selectmen reviewed and approved Vendor and Payroll Warrants: FY14 #13. They voted all in favor to approve meeting minutes and approve [but not release] executive session minutes for Dec. 16, 2013.
8:25 PM Selectmen voted all in favor to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted, Marie Auger, administrative assistant
Referenced Documents: GPI documents; bio of William August of Epstein & August LLP; recommendations of the Broadband Committee; update/status report from the fire department
Marie Auger
Administrative Assistant
Planning Department
978-464-2100
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