Town of Princeton, Mass. – Aug. 8, 2016 – 5 PM
BOARD OF SELECTMEN – Regular Meeting Minutes
Chairman Stan Moss, Edith Morgan and Jon Fudeman present along with T.A. Nina Nazarian. In the following actions, all BOS votes were preceded by a motion from Jon F. and seconded by Edith M. unless noted otherwise.
5:00 PM Stan opened meeting and group looked at request for a letter of support for getting the superintendent’s house on Wachusett Mtn. into the Preservation Mass program. The house has been in the state’s Curatorship Program for some years with no progress. The town’s rep on the mountain’s Advisory Board is now Kevin Toohey with alternate Deb Cary, and both were present to explain the program. About $80,000 has been spent by DCR to keep the structure upgraded enough to attract a potential curator. Listing it as an “endangered building” with Preservation Mass will add exposure and increase chances of finding someone to lease the site for a negotiated number of years in a work-off exchange. The state retains ownership. Selectmen voted
all in favor to have Nina and Kevin craft a letter of support on behalf of BOS.
Treasurer Jim Dunbar was in to explain details of the next BAN (bond anticipation note) for the $1.2 million in Make-Ready funds for broadband. He pointed out the tax-exempt status of the next note and the board agreed to have him go forward.
5:30 PM Nina presented text of the STM article and ballot election coming in September for broadband funding. It essentially askes for $4.8 million for construction and installation of broadband infrastructure done by PBMLP to be reduced by other revenue such as grants; and, provides for a debt-exclusion election to be held. For the ballot question, by law it must be finalized 35 days before the election.
Given the substantial workload, Selectmen agreed to cut meetings off the calendar until after the STM and special election. These include the Facilities Planning Meetings and BOS Goals Retreat. They also discussed future use of the $90,000 “refund” from WRSD that resulted from their budget being reduced. This is money not yet raised or appropriated which could lower taxes by about one percent or, if raised, would go into free cash and could be sent to a stabilization fund or spent on urgent needs. Nina recommended using it as free cash to pay for building upgrades.
5:35 PM Edith had started a list for risk assessment aimed at Comcast, if the town partnered with them as a broadband provider. Major points were the use of coaxial cable and not fiber-optic; lack of timeframe; corporate shareholders; revenue not staying in town and marketing promises that never materialize. A conversation with Comcast is scheduled around Aug. 22 as to feasibility from their end.
Nina reported on the floor tile job at the T.P. School, saying that the work was well under way. About a dozen applications have come in for the COA and Parks & Rec positions and deadline is next week. There have been a couple of responses to the request for vendors for repairs on Bagg Hall chimney and Station 2 roof. Nina noted that the PTA, who had previously asked for permission to put temporary signs up at the school agreed to hang sponsor signs on the fences near the driveway.
6:00 PM Selectmen voted all in favor to approve minutes from July 25; approve exec. session minutes from July 25 & 28; and hold July 28 minutes pending review until next meeting.
Stan then explained why BOS would go into exec. session, to discuss the lease agreement with WRSD and how other towns get paid for municipal sewer & water and Princeton does not.
.6:05 PM Selectmen went into executive session. Stan moved and Jon seconded to go into executive session: in accordance with M.G.L. c. 30A, §21: Exemption Six - To consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property if the chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body. In roll call Edith voted “Aye,” Jon voted “Aye” and Stan voted “Aye.” Stan then announced that the Board would enter into executive session to discuss the WRSD Lease Agreement for TPS and adjourn from executive session. SEE SEPARATE MINUTES
6:50 PM Adjourned from Exec. Sess.
Respectfully submitted, Marie Auger, Admin. Assistant
BOS Referenced Documents: The Landmark news articles from summer of 2015 about Supt. House; memorandum from Town Administrator and Town Treasurer on the BAN; meeting calendar; STM article and ballot; list by Edie for risk assessment of Comcast
Marie Auger
Administrative Assistant
Planning Department
978-464-2100
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