Town of Princeton, Mass. – October 17, 2016 -- 5:20 PM
BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes
Chairman Stan Moss, Edith Morgan present; Jon Fudemanm absent. T.A. Nina Nazarian and residents in attendance. In the following actions, all BOS votes were preceded by a motion from Stan M. and seconded by Edith M. unless noted otherwise.
5:25 PM – Stan called the meeting to order. Larry Greene Sr. was in for the MassDOT Municipal Small Bridge (MSB) Program. He described how bridges less than 20’ span do not qualify for federal funding, but the Baker Administration has created a state grant for small towns with these smaller bridges. Group also discussed the state’s Community Compact which 230 towns have already joined. This allows additional grant opportunities and ‘best practice’ options. Nina suggested focusing on IT, Financial Mgmt. and HR, as a community can apply for up to three.
Group discussed deadlines for applications to the MSB program and reviewed the completed application form. Bill Holder offered to help Larry G. and Nina N. with writing/processing of grants to MassDOT.
Selectmen voted all in favor to submit an application to MassDOT for the MSB grant and authorize the town administrator to sign it. They also voted all in favor to authorize the town administrator to pursue joining Community Compact in the three areas of Best Practices as noted.
5:55 PM Selectmen voted all in favor to sell two cemetery lots in South Cemetery area 5A lots #1 & 2 for $1,200 to Richard & Dolores Fatcheric.
Moving on to committee appointments, selectmen voted all in favor to appoint Heather Cheney of Houghton Road to a term on the Agricultural Commission through June 30, 2019. They agreed to pass over appointments to Parks & Rec until that board meets with new director, Hollie Lucht. They discussed Cultural Council, which requests increasing its members from five to seven. Selectmen voted all in favor to expand the members to seven, and to appoint Shaunna Knuth and Melissa Yazdanpanah to the council for three-year terms to June 30, 2019. The two seats remaining to be filled, to make it seven members, will be for a one-year term and a two-year term.
6:10 PM After a vote all in favor the public hearing was opened by Stan, for liquor license transfer at the Kwik Stop in East Princeton. He then waived a reading of the hearing notice after a vote (all in favor). Atty. Tom Demakis was in with clients Kodal Corp. and principal Chirag Patel, who are purchasing the Kwik Stop from Richard Stuart. The total price is $111,000 including $5,000 estimated for inventory. A note for $80,000 is held by Rockland Trust who has a “Pledge of License” on the liquor license—similar to a lien on a mortgage. Selectmen voted all in favor to approve the license transfer as presented, although Nina noted that the ABCC document that the BOS signs needed a correction and suggested selectmen sign a corrected version on Wednesday when
they meet. Selectmen voted all in favor to close the public hearing.
6:20 PM Selectmen voted all in favor to open the posted Tax Classification hearing, and Nina read the notice of the hearing notice. They then voted all in favor to continue the hearing to Monday, Oct. 31, 2016 at 6:15 PM at the Princeton Center.
Selectmen reviewed a draft outline of the charge for the Cable Advisory Committee, with whom they will meet on Wednesday night. At that meeting they may discuss and plan to adopt a final version of the charge. The CAC will put together terms about which BOS can negotiate with Comcast including benefits and conditions. Legal counsel for cable franchise will be needed as well. Darcy Rowell pointed out that the document should be clear as an initial application and not a renewal.
6:30 PM Edith reported that the Mass. Dept. of Elementary Education has named T.P. School to be designated a ‘Commendation School,” as one of 49 schools recognized for academic accomplishment by scoring 97 percent in statewide rankings. BOS will forward a letter of congratulations to staff with cc to WRSD and Ferguson and Chandler.
Group reviewed materials and discussed personnel policies being adopted: anti-discrimination and sexual harassment. Nina will be trying to coordinate Nov. 15 & 16 as training sessions for the new policies. Training will be mandatory for all employees. Selectmen voted all in favor to adopt Equal Employment Opportunity, Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Policy as presented for Town of Princeton.
It was reported that the Heritage Bible Chapel hosted a free Fall Festival last Saturday that was a huge success, to engage the community in family activities providing free hot dogs, cotton candy and popcorn. Selectmen will forward a letter of gratitude.
Under Correspondence, the Ethics Commission provided a disclosure statement, which BOS reviewed, for Holly Lucht, the new Parks & Rec director, as she also may be serving on the town’s Little League board or volunteering. The Library Trustees submitted a letter regarding the Long Range Plan which the Library Director has put together. They noted that while it is not required, submission to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissions makes the Library eligible for state and federal grants. They also indicated that Mary has been certified in Basic Librarianship. Nina indicated that the letter has been placed in the employee’s personnel file.
Under Town Administrator’s Reports, the TA reported that the Advisory Committee has requested that each selectman provide an outline of how and why they came to choose the new members of the CAC. Stan has already submitted a report, Edith and Jon are pending.
Nina reported that the screening group for the COA position will meet tomorrow to interview more applicants, taken from the original pool of 19 individuals.
Selectmen discussed goal-setting sessions, and where to conduct them; include a meal or not, etc. Stan and Edie also want the Advisory Committee to participate. Edith sees value on others witnessing how the process works with BOS planning its goals and how the board reaches conclusions. They will further discuss on Wednesday.
7 PM Selectmen voted all in favor to approve minutes of Sept. 13, Oct. 3 with Exec. Session (not to release) and Oct. 5.
7:10 PM Voted all in favor to Adjourn
Respectfully submitted, Marie Auger, Admin. Assist.
BOS Referenced Documents: application to MassDOT for the MSB grant; Community Compact documents; draft outline of the charge for the Cable Advisory Committee; cemetery deed; Equal Employment Opportunity, Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Policy; ABCC liquor license transfer documents; Ethics Commission statement; Letter from Worcester Community Housing Resources, Inc.; Letter from Board of Library Trustees
Marie Auger
Administrative Assistant
Planning Department
978-464-2100
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