Town of Princeton, Mass. – April 18, 2017 – 5 PM
Board of Selectmen – Regular Meeting Minutes
Chairman Stan Moss, Edith Morgan, and Jon Fudeman plus TA Nina Nazarian.
5:00 PM Stan opened BOS meeting in the Town Hall Annex. Advisory Committee members present: John Shipman, Jim O’Coin, Wayne Adams, Judy Dino, Don Schoeny and Bill Lawton.
Selectmen voted all in favor to authorize the T.A. to sign a new contract for Chapter 90 (highway) funding.
Jon F. reported that Jeff Yaglou offered to help clear the town dog pound. Nina noted that any volunteer labor needed to sign a liability waiver. Contact for this project should be Larry Todd for the Historical Commission and/or Brian Keevan for the ConsComm.
The deficit for the ‘Snow & Ice’ Highway Dept. budget is $10,146.48 and selectmen voted all in favor to authorize spending into deficit for theat amount.
Selectmen voted all in favor to authorize the T.A. to appoint an IT Committee. After they’re assembled they’ll come and meet the BOS.
The board voted all in favor to approve the minutes of April 3 w/ exec. sess., April 5 and April 10 w/exec. sess. but not release the April 10 exec. session.
The Adv. Cmte. was all present except George Handy, but John S. had some written comments from George. Nina explained some details about Article 3 and suggested publishing—posting on the website--the warrant as a draft this week and replace it with a final version next week.
It was noted that the Assessors budget was decreased by $1,500 as they had waived their stipends in order to fund new software. An actuarial study was built into FY’18 budget but it can be divided up into FY’18 and 19, so the Treasurer/Collector expense line is going down. Princeton is saving some funds with the addition of West Boylston to the Holden Regional Dispatch in 4th quarter of FY’17.
Nina pointed out several minor changes in the budget. There was long discourse around Art. 10 as public safety buildings needing exhaust evacuation fans. The fire chief says grant funds may be available to offset total cost. It was noted that Station 2 is virtually unoccupied and may be less of a priority. Both groups agreed on safety issue and level of “effective capture” as a CO/CO2 threshold or use the national standard. Final agreement on a figure of $50,000 and adding that “spending will be done by BOS.”
Group went over Art. 16: sale of town-owned parcels, mostly acquired by tax-title, noting that two don’t have deeds, but the town will authorize sale of all 11 and try to sell them.
Jon F. announced that he has vetted the wording on his citizen’s petition and BOS will still control the budget. Group also discussed the other citizen’s petition, Art. 29, on the environmental action committee/plan.
6:15 PM Group went over minor changes in capital expenditures and concluded with a final total of $494,548. With $115,890 unspent/unappropriated in free cash. Art. 9 asks for $52,000 to be deposited in the Other Post Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund (OPEB).
Road Adv. Cmte. member Bill Holder outlined several highway projects for the next three years and spoke in support of keeping the $350,000 that is approved each year and has stayed level. Group went over the suggestion from George H. for $180,000 instead of $350,000, since the state Ch. 90 will be $500,000—but small bridge repair is a goal using those funds.
Selectmen voted all in favor to sign the may Town Election Warrant and the May ATM Warrant in the future, with minor changes as needed.
7:00 PM Selectmen voted all in favor to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted, Marie Auger, admin.assist.
BOS Referenced Documents: Town budget materials and warrant for 2017 ATM; George Handy memo; Bill Holder outlined of highway projects
Marie Auger
Administrative Assistant
Planning Department
978-464-2100
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