Town of Princeton, Mass. – May 31, 2016 – 5 PM
BOARD OF SELECTMEN – Regular Mtg. Minutes
5:01 PM An explanation of the timeline which took place when the selectmen began seeking a parcel for municipal use and Fieldstone Farm project history was given by Nina, as Ed Carlson was in to discuss Fieldstone Farm. BOS had met over the past 12 months with the F.F. Working Group and signed off on a LAND grant last fall for conservation parcels. Turnaround times were tight because the Audubon and Princeton Land Trust had a deadline from the state for the grant, and negotiations were in executive session, so selectmen had little opportunity to explain their goal, which was to get something for the town, in the form of a parcel to develop for future needs. Special Town Meeting and Election mid-December—the most conservative process for spending
town funds--had a heavy majority in favor of borrowing $650,000 of which $400,000 would be reimbursed by the grant monies. In the end, the $250,000 which the town ultimately contributes, will buy a conservation restriction on 32 acres and buy a 122-acre parcel. After that, the BOS finally negotiated Parcel “D” with 10 buildable acres for about $100,000 to be paid with available funds, but that purchase failed to get support/funding at the May 2016 Annual Town Meeting. Long-term planning was the goal and Edith insisted that the effort was an attempt to save the town money and effort in the future. Some residents resisted the concept of acquiring land with no actual plan for its use.
5:25 PM After having reviewed all exec. session minutes regarding Fieldstone Farm, the board voted all in favor (Stan moved; Jon 2nd) to release the 10 sets of minutes for posting.
Ed C. then outlined his concerns. With the Purchase & Sale ending June 30 with the Smiths, he suggests that town counsel be present at any closing to represent the town’s interests which represent a portion of the $3 million sale. He described the 4-Corners/Bentley project of several years ago, when the Trust for Public Land acted as liaison. All monies were collected in advance of the closing, he said, and the TPL walked away from the deal with $400,000 of it. Stan noted that the town’s protection against that happening again was built into the motion that was passed at the STM which earmarked the funds in December of 2015.
5:30 PM Phil Mighdoll spoke for his committee on underutilized assets and cited a report from 10 years ago which listed the same properties which the town owns that are generating no tax revenue. There are several buildable lots including adjoining lots on Mtn. Road that could be combined. The town needs to first pay for an appraisal and simple survey, and any sale must be subject to bid, eliminating services of a broker. There is also a 6.5 acre lot on Hubbardston Road opposite Steadman’s pond. Phil was anxious to get these properties moving, focusing on Mtn. Road as potentially quick sale, as an exercise in going through the property-sale process. Nina suggested this issue be on the agenda for the BOS goals retreat coming up.
5:50 PM Charlie Wyman for Audubon and Tom Sullivan for Princeton Land Trust were in for the 32-acre F.F. parcel on Hubbardston Road for which the town will hold the CR. Documents for the CR need to be signed by all parties and sent to the state before June 24. Jon F. was concerned about paying into a pot that was not completely filled before it will be disbursed. Charlie explained that on the 24th, Audubon will purchase the entire property from the Smiths—in a sort of “bridge” loan—and then get reimbursed by all parties. They would not get a check from the town until the deal is done. The LAND grant which reimburses the town will not be paid until after the closing—there was some concern raised about this. Nina explained that state grants
such as the LAND, as a reimbursement, are essentially guaranteed by an “award letter” and only pay after the deals are done. The town is out for that $400,000 for some weeks or months after the closing. George Handy asked about plans for recreational use of the 32 acres but there are no trails planned and it’s unlikely there would be any, as it’s a remote location. Trails are planned on the 122-acre parcel which the town’s ConsComm will own in fee.
Phil Gransewicz of 14 Laurel Lane spoke out against creating more protected open space that doesn’t pay taxes. Selectmen explained that it was their duty to hold a STM followed by a Special Election, last December, to allow voters the opportunity to accept or reject the purchase of more open space, and the clear majority was in favor—this was not a BOS decision. Kathy Conway of Mirick Road spoke up about the need for transparency.
6:15 PM Selectmen then voted all in favor (Jon moved; Edith 2nd) to sign the CR document for the 32 acres at Fieldstone Farm.
The Advisory Board was called into session with six present, to discuss the viability of acquiring land for municipal use in the future. The attempt to do so as part of the F.F. project failed at ATM, and the Advisory Board didn’t support it, but Edith voiced a goal of moving forward with it somehow as part of long-term planning. Feedback from residents indicated that the town owns enough land already, and that the ATM article for Parcel D did not include any kind of plan for its use. Adv. Bd. members cited a lack of trust and suggested that an attempt to bring the issue back before voters would not be prudent. Stan noted the need for land, especially for a public safety facility, may be 10-12 years out when even less buildable land will
be available. The 2008 Master Plan had suggested a Public Safety Building Committee. Selectmen contended may need a long-term plan and that they are back to the drawing board on this issue. Phil M. suggested the possibility of the town ‘swapping” the Hubbardston Road parcel it currently owns with a parcel closer to town.
Phil G. asked about all the town-owned parcels and their asset value. Phil M. offered to meet with him separately with all that info as compiled by his committee.
6:55 PM Group addressed a long-term infrastructure and buildings plan with brief explanation from Nina, and decided to create a “process team” of seven members, with BOS, two Adv. Bd. members David Cruise and Bill Lawton volunteering and two residents. Edith recommended bringing different interests to the table, such as Historical Commission and Cultural Council. Stan pointed out focusing on projects that have already been funded. BOS looked at a spreadsheet from Nina outlining hours she would need to apply to completing each of the eight action items on the Facilities Planning list. Stan explained the Infrastructure Stabilization Fund, created in 1992, which has only been tapped once and now has about $500,000. Jon F. agreed about the importance of repairing Bagg
Hall first. To get anything done, selectmen must have buy-in at town meeting.
7:30 PM John Shipman reported on a letter from state Sen. Harriet Chandler’s office that essentially skipped over Princeton’s dilemma but will address regional school funding issues and disbursements. He, George Handy, and David Cruise have been meeting and communicating with Chandler and Rep. Kim Ferguson for 2 ½ years over the Chapter 70 inequities with Princeton. Selectmen all thanked the two for all their work and dedication to this matter.
7;40 PM Nina noted that the BOS goal-setting session still needed to be pinned down. The group turned to discussion on Comcast, and issues involved, such as how a municipality cannot spend funds to help a private contractor with make-ready work although special legislation may allow it), time schedules, using MBI as an intermediary etc. Selectmen have attempted communication directly with Comcast but Comcast has been dealing with MBI and not much is known as yet. There was some discussion about the $920,000 that MBI had originally promised for a Princeton broadband project.
7;50 PM Chris Trudeau explained that the town of Leverett is not a complete success with their fiber-built broadband and could not do it alone, and the Holyoke MLP ran the operation for them. The whole broadband install and operation is too big for a small town, she insisted, citing experience with the PMLD WiFi business, as she has worked for PMLD for some time. John Kowaleski countered that Princeton has LINX doing what Holyoke did for Leverett, and it’s considered a success because of the high buy-in or subscribers, close to 90 percent.
Jon F. announced that he had previously contacted MBI and Comcast and reports that Comcast is newly interested because there is a new structure in place at MBI under the Baker administration. The state may make it easier for vendors to deal with small towns. All stakeholders are waiting for the state to act on cable franchise proposals and participation. The cable TV franchises are federally regulated and require local government participation. A list of letters from residents had been forwarded to selectmen on the issue.
8:15 PM Selectmen voted all in favor (Stan moved; Jon 2nd) to authorize the T.A. to enter into contracts for work on Route 140.
Nina thanked staff and volunteers for stepping in and helping with events and activities for COA, Princeton Center and Parks & Rec., in Sue Shanahan’s absence. She noted possible need for temporary staffing.
It was announced that the WRSD Regional Agreement has been updated and approved by all five member towns. Princeton BOS is still pressing for reimbursement on sewer and water costs.
8:20 PM Jon moved and Edith seconded, all in favor to accept minutes from May 16.
6:30 PM All in favor to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted, Marie Auger, Admin. Assistant
BOS Referenced Documents: T.A. hours on nine Town Meeting action items; WSRD regional agreement; letters from residents on broadband.
Marie Auger
Administrative Assistant
Planning Department
978-464-2100
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