Town of Princeton, Mass. – Dec. 14, 2015 – 4:45 PM
BOARD OF SELECTMEN – Mtg. Minutes
5 PM After the 4:45 PBMLP meeting adjourned, BOS meeting was called to order at the Town Hall Annex. Present were Chairman Edith Morgan, Jon Fudeman, Stan Moss and T.A. Nina Nazarian.
5:03 PM Board voted all in favor to re-open Tax Classification Hearing, continued from last meeting, with Bob Cumming from Board of Assessors. Nina noted that this is a revaluation year and the tax rate for FY’16 was $17.30 and the estimate for FY’17 is $17.80. This would be an annual tax increase of $275.00 on the average house value of $310,000. Residential taxes represent almost all of town revenue, as only 1.7 percent is from commercial/industrial sources. After some discussion about the town’s upcoming capital expenditures with several residents in attendance, the selectmen voted to close the public comment segment of the hearing and deliberate. They then voted all in favor to maintain a factor of one for the town’s tax rate—taxing all properties at the same rate. They then
voted all in favor to close the public hearing.
Reviewing correspondence, Nina noted that she and Edith would attend a finance roundtable event at the WRSD regional office at 1745 Main Street, Jefferson on Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 6:30 PM. It will focus on the state’s FY’17 budget projections.
It was announced that the Advisory Board voted 5 out of 5 present, to support the article at the Dec. 15 special town meeting for preservation of Fieldstone Farm. The board discussed the importance of using a paper ballot which may be instituted by a decision of the moderator or allowed by majority vote at the meeting itself. Some questions about details of the land deal were raised by Gerry Oberhelman of Sterling Road.
5:35 PM Nina reported on the search by the Highway Department for the Mechanic/Truck Driver. Position was posted externally in local newspapers but received no applications by due date of 12/11/15. Nina and Hwy. Supt. Glenn Lyons considered the requirements, and figure skills listed may be too narrow-reaching. They may re-work it as truck driver with mechanic skills. Board agreed that posting should be extended to more ad sites or to different forums.
Selectmen considered permit fees for work on town-owned properties. They voted all in favor to authorize the town administrator to waive construction permit fees—where appropriate, on a case by case basis--for work on town-owned property and/or projects.
Selectmen approved a letter of support for a grant for the Regional Economic Development Organization of the North Central Mass. Development Corp.—affiliate of the NCM Chamber of Commerce.
Nina reported that the auditors are in for a few days, to complete a report by year’s end. Also, Bagg Hall roof work is progressing and is about half-complete.
Selectmen voted all in favor to approve minutes for: Nov. 30 and they signed Warrants FY’16 - 12
6:05 PM Board voted all in favor to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted, Marie N. Auger, administrative assistant
BOS Referenced Documents: Letter supporting NCMDC; tax revaluation chart; letter from WRSD.
Marie Auger
Administrative Assistant
Planning Department
978-464-2100
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