Town of Princeton, Mass. – June 20, 2016 – 7 PM
BOARD OF SELECTMEN – Special Mtg. Minutes
Process Team for Building Repair/Reno Planning
In the following actions, all BOS votes were preceded by a motion from Jon F. and second by Edith M. unless noted otherwise.
7:00 PM Stan Moss opened meeting with Edith Morgan and Jon Fudeman present, along with T.A. Nina Nazarian and Advisory Board members Dave Cruise, Bill Lawton and Jim O’Coin plus Steve Mirick and Chris Conway. Special meeting is brainstorming session. Nina explained her goal is to have a spreadsheet with construction work by year and the corresponding amount of debt for example, with three buildings underway, how financing would overlap as per debt timespan.
Steve M. suggested prioritizing tasks as per the Facilities Cmte. report before trying to figure out borrowing. He said the priorities were first, Bagg Hall, then public safety and then Princeton Center. With Bagg Hall, the main unresolved issue is future of the 2nd Floor, and that decision is 1st emotional; 2nd political and 3rd logical—and it should be the other way around.
Edith noted that, like the library, other finance sources could be tapped for Bagg Hall such as grants or donations, with the Historical Commission or a “Friends” group involved. Steve M. said any grant investigation should include public safety. Grant requests require a plan in place which outlines/estimates costs. The estimate from HKT Architects report for full reno of Bagg Hall, with elevator etc. was about $3.2 million, including “soft costs” (plans, permits).
Group discussed use of space, and how to approach it, as it may be addressed in a feasibility study or an architect’s report. The annex could house office space if Bagg Hall is undersized. Nina stressed that ideal layout is for centralized departments, all in one building. Dave C. explained that due to general skepticism of town government, such as the failure of Parcel C at ATM, officials must first get voter support for spending on any project. He cited town hall renovations at other communities, in Paxton where a project failed and in West Brookfield where one succeeded.
Steve M. noted options at Town Hall Drive, such as creating more parking from lawn on the town common. Also, certain exemptions for an historical building may be available for Bagg Hall relative to a 2nd floor elevator and certain code issues. Stan M. said that creating some offices and a meeting space on the 2nd floor is an easier sell to voters than recreating the ballroom/auditorium/stage. Steve and Chris pointed out that the 2nd floor could be “stubbed out” with utility connections for future renovations, when the first floor is renovated. All mechanicals in Bagg Hall need upgrade, plus the problems around antique windows and the lack of insulation. The northwest corner has settled several inches
as the foundation sits on soil there, while the rest of the building sits on ledge. That settling may not have stabilized yet, and could possibly be continuing. The shift fracture in the brick face is visible all the way up the north side. Much of the brick needs re-pointing anyway. Little maintenance has been done since the building first went up in 1884. Phil Gransewicz of Laurel Lane asked about comparisons of a renovation compared to construction of a new building. The group concurred that the cost of a brand new town hall should be available to voters, an easy estimate using the current $365./sq. ft. for commercial construction. However, the issue of where to site it was unresolved, and the idea of razing Bagg Hall has no political traction, all agreed.
Dave C. noted that you cannot ask an architect to solve a political problem. A feasibility study, approved for $65,000 will soon be underway and the town will be soliciting for an architect. Steve M. suggested that just a few people should put together a plan—the fewer the better—and then present it to the voters. Jon F. outlined “limiting factors” as financing capacity an light of building functions, and noted that fundraising is very difficult, according to professionals in the industry. Chris C. described how other towns found land for municipal use, noting that Hubbardston swapped parcels with DCR, which owns lots of acreage in Princeton as well.
Group noted the limitations in the HKT report, which cost $22,000. Although it brought up many good points, it was a generalization. Steve M. stressed that you cannot expect architects to figure out the town’s needs or the scope of the project—the town must do that ahead of time and communicate those factors. All agreed that the next step was creating an RFT from architects, and meet on Thursday, July 14 at 7 PM to craft a scope of work for the architect and a concept for Bagg Hall 2nd floor.
9 PM Selectmen returned to their agenda. A document had been crafted for a “Right of First Refusal” for the Fieldstone Farm conservation land the town will own, between Town Counsel, T.A. and Audubon. Selectmen voted all in favor to accept the Right of First Refusal as written, allowing minor edits to be made by agreement between MassAudubon, Town Counsel, and the Town Administrator.
Bids were opened for DPW materials on June 14, 2016, based on the results selectmen voted all in favor to award the FY17 purchase and delivery of ¾ inch and 1 ½ inch crushed stone, and 1 ½ inch crushed gravel to E.H. Perkins Construction, Inc. and further to award the FY17 purchase, freight on board, of ¾ inch crushed stone and 1 ½ inch crushed gravel to E.H. Perkins Construction, Inc.; to award the FY17 purchase, freight on board, of 1 ½ inch crushed stone to Massachusetts Broken Stone Company; to award FY17 crack sealing work to Superior Sealcoat, Inc. and to award FY17 line painting work to Markings, Inc.
Board voted all in favor to authorize Town Administrator to sign the 2016 Commonwealth Security Trust Fund Grant, effective June 15, 2016. The Town of Holden is applying for this grant, in partnership with WRSD and the other four WRSD member communities. These funds have been identified to be used for pre-planning documents, medical and safety equipment and training for EMS, Police, Fire and School personnel.
Selectmen voted all in favor to advertise for a temporary position for Parks & Rec. Director. Nina announced that the Auburn town manager extended thanks to Andy DuFresne and his family for hosting attendees during the funeral of Officer Tatantino. The letter will be forwarded to the Fire Dept. There was some discussion about the WRSD needing a representative from Princeton for collective bargaining—no action taken.
9:12 PM Board voted all in favor to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted, Marie Auger, Admin. Assistant
BOS Referenced Documents: Facilities Study Committee report; HKT report, “Right of First Refusal” for the Fieldstone Farm
Marie Auger
Administrative Assistant
Planning Department
978-464-2100
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