Town of Princeton, Mass. – June 13, 2016 – 5 PM
BOARD OF SELECTMEN – Regular Mtg. Minutes
In the following actions, all BOS votes were preceded by a motion from Jon F. and second by Edith M. unless noted otherwise.
5:00 PM Stan opened meeting and announced it was being recorded. Chris Lynch from Matrix presented a proposal outlining how his firm could design/build/operate the fiber optic broadband installation and assume all costs, since the town has completed much of the make-ready work on the pole system and some equipment. He said Matrix could move forward with a minimum 500 subscribers to start, giving them a min. two-year commitment at $95./month. There could be a few dollars more to cover frees and insurance. Matric needs six subscribers per mile, and 60 percent or better buy-in, to make it viable. Each home would receive 50 MB/sec. initially and installation fee up front would total $500. Covering a standard drop distance to house at 300’ and get each house online as
Matrix strings line through town since it’s a single contractor doing construction and then service and ISP. The grant expected from MBI of $910,000 could go towards paying off the funding previously borrowed for the make-ready.
He described a standard G-PON fiber to each home system—rather than Active Ethernet which the PBMLP has favored for the town’s more rural, long distances between customers. Stan and Chris described the pros and cons of each system. The town would have a buyout option in three years; pole ownership would remain in name of town.
In the past, Martrix had proposals before the PBMLP that were abandoned, owing to what seemed as insurmountable hurdles. One was the tax-exempt municipal bond the town would receive, which couldn’t be used by a privateer like Matrix. Chris noted that the current proposal requires no town funding so municipal bonds are not an issue, according to his bond counsel. Stan noted that the town’s bond counsel may not agree. Group agreed to let attorneys talk to each other. Jon F. said he didn’t think the bond financing was a fatal flaw. He praised the three-year buyout, allowing the town to own the infrastructure—this was a real turning point in discussions—and he liked the elimination of financial risk to the town. He
stressed the need for a good service agreement and noted that another possible issue is MBI approval.
Discussion shifted to buried utility lines to 211 houses and if Matrix would provide same service and installation as has been promised so far by the PBMLP. Stan noted that the documents Chris had distributed didn’t match what Chris was saying verbally, in respect to home connections.
5:25 PM Edith commented on the need for initial design and installation to be done properly, and insure there was enough funding for that, invested by a privateer. The town would inspect the infrastructure before taking ownership, Chris noted, just like a home inspection when you purchase real estate.
5:40 PM Group recessed from the Matrix discussion to address Scott Conchieri, organizing a cycling event and use of Town Common Gazebo as an aid station on June 18, 2016. Selectmen voted all in favor to allow gazebo use subject to proof of liability insurance, a fee of $25, and approval from fire and police chiefs.
5:43 PM Jon asked Chris about the possibility of building in enough dark fiber and leasing it to commercial customers, and Chris noted that extra fiber is included anyway, as a contingency for future growth.
Public comment began, with a query about a time frame from Matrix. Chris said installation of the fiber lines should be complete within 12 months of completion of make-ready. Another question was about use of existing, open conduit and Chris said it’s covered in the proposal. The method for dealing with existing buried wire, without conduit, was discussed, and Matrix would provide installation similar to that outlined by PBMLP.
Larry Greene, Sr., encouraged town officials to take a serious look at the new proposal. Chris was asked how this proposal was different from the one presented 18 months ago and the main thing is the three-year timeframe for a buyout, as opposed to 20 years in the original model. Plus, the minimum broadband speed will meet or exceed the FCC standard which is currently 25 MB/sec. Phil O’Brien asked about the 480 early subscriber sign-ups who were promised a discount and Chris was not in a position to answer. Nina offered to run the proposal provided by Matrix by Special Counsel and the Board agreed.
6:05 PM Charlie Wyman and Deb Cary for Audubon and Tom Sullivan and John Mirick for Princeton Land Trust were in for the 133-acre F.F. parcel (appraisal value of $580,000) off Calamint Hill Road which the town will own in fee. Nina proposed getting a “first right of refusal” if the APR funding didn’t come in and Audubon somehow failed to follow through with conserving the parcel. Group discussed the process for the land divisions and deeds, which in concept has not changed since it was originally devised. The APR payment could take 2-3 years (previously 1-2 years). Deb C. noted that the donations are up to $700,000 so they are confident. Charlie W. agreed to write up a first-refusal agreement draft and send it to Nina and town counsel.
Selectmen needed to authorize the bond anticipation note. They voted all in favor to sign the bond documents for purchase 133.9 acres located along Calamint Hill Road in accordance with the article approving $650,000 at the December 2015 Special Town Meeting, $400,000 of which the LAND grant will reimburse. There was applause from the attendees, at this action.
6:30 PM With brief explanation from Nina, Selectmen discussed a long-term infrastructure and buildings plan. A “process team” has been created of seven members, with BOS, two Adv. Bd. members David Cruise and Bill Lawton volunteering and two residents with construction expertise: Chris Conway and Steve Mirick. They will meet to brainstorm on Monday, June 20 at 7 PM, aiming to create a spending schedule and decide how to get a plan.
Edith suggested that action should be taken and not more planning--it’s been studied for 15 years--and moving forward with Bagg Hall repair/renovation. Stan noted that residents at ATM objected to the purchase of municipal land for long-term future use because there was no long-term plan in place. Jon added that there was no money dedicated to upgrades and no buy-in from residents. He said the process team could work on getting a financial buy-in. The needs assessment has been covered by the most part with the HKT report. Jon and Edith supported the idea of doing both concurrently: planning long-term with the process team and repairing Bagg Hall. Already, $65,000 was voted to pay for a feasibility study on Bagg Hall. The HKT study had
suggested spending about $3 million, which was questioned by Phil Gransewicz of 14 Laurel Lane, but selectmen insisted that was just a guess-timate and not a serious number.
6:50 PM Nina will get dates for a BOS goals setting retreat at Harrington Farm.
Selectmen then voted all in favor to sign the bond documents for Fieldstone Farm for $650,000 with an approximately six-month term at .75% interest.
6:50 PM The board decided to defer the list of re-appointment of staff and committees until June 20th for a more complete list.
After some discussion, selectmen voted all in favor to disband the Facilities Planning Committee and the Broadband Committee effective July 1st, at end of term. They also agreed to a monthly review and release of BOS Exec. Session minutes.
It was reported that Phil Gransewicz wished to serve on a board or committee, as needed, and Emily Babbitt de Nicasio wanted to join the Parks & Recreation Commission. Nina reported on correspondence, from Rep. Kim Ferguson and WRSD Supt. Office. She noted that the bids went out for TP School asbestos abatement and floor tile repair and suggested offering a cash bonus for early completion of the job—before school starts on August 30th, anticipating that there would be sufficient funds to cover it if the bids came in at reasonable prices. Selectmen asked her to send out a thank-you note to volunteers Jim Hillis and Jim O’Coin for their technical contributions to the project once the project was completed. Nina also
reported that bidding was postponed for tree removal and fuel purchase.
7:12 PM Selectmen voted all in favor to accept minutes from May 31. They then voted all in favor to invoke the “rule of necessity” in signing warrant FY’16-25 because it included BOS stipend of $600 each for six months.
6:30 PM All in favor to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted, Marie Auger, Admin. Assistant
BOS Referenced Documents: Materials from Matrix; bike race schedule; Fieldstone Farm maps and documents; letters from WSRD, DESE, Mass Fiscal Alliance and K. Ferguson; T.A. reports included minutes of recent departmental meeting; town clerk’s schedule for records inventory project; building inspector violation notice to 128 Mountain Road new construction.
Marie Auger
Administrative Assistant
Planning Department
978-464-2100
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