Town of Princeton, Mass., Selectboard Meeting Minutes
– January 9, 2019 – 6:00 PM – Town Hall Annex
Present: Chair Richard Bisk, Karen Cruise, Edith Morgan w/ student member Kimberly Union and TA Nina Nazarian.
6 PM Richy opened the meeting.
Minutes – There was some discussion about the minutes of Dec. 13 at 5:30 PM (meeting with public safety departments). The Selectboard voted to approve minutes of Dec. 13 (5:30 PM), Dec. 27 and Jan. 3.
Building Department Appointments – The Selectboard reviewed the resume from Mr. Frederick Lonardo for the Inspector of Buildings position. He was in to explain his qualifications and background, which are extensive. He lives in a nearby community and works as the building commissioner fulltime for Westboro.
ACTION: The Selectboard voted all in favor to appoint Mr. Frederick Lonardo to the position of inspector of buildings for a term through June 30, 2019.
ACTION: The Selectboard voted all in favor to revise Mr. Richard Breagy’s position to that of “local building inspector” for a term through June 30, 2019.
Public Comment – Mirick Road resident John Stimpson noted that he lives three miles from the Fitchburg/Westminster landfill and there has been methane-associated odors over the years, which have been more prevalent recently. He has communicated with Waste Management about it. Other Princeton residents have complained as well. The operation is supposed to close in 2024 but the town of Westminster and the city of Fitchburg voted to pursue a plan to open more land and extend operations another 10 years. It involved a land swap with Leominster State Forest which requires an act of the legislature under Art. 97. The proposal requires a 2/3rds majority vote from both the House and Senate.
Representatives from WM were in attendance, and senior manager of business development, Fred Confalone, acknowledged that there is an odor problem and that it comes from the landfill. He explained how gases are controlled at the landfill with piping etc. and that excessive rainfall over the fall increased production of gases. The gas engineer for WM, Joe Ianuzzi, reported that a piping project scheduled for next year was moved to recent months in an attempt to mitigate the problem. Several residents suggested finding alternate means of trash disposal, including creating less trash.
Chair Richy B. thanked WM and everyone else for coming and commenting.
Proposed Westminster landfill expansion, Mr. Bill LaBlair, Ms. Deb Cary & Environmental Action Committee Member – The topic continued as a previously posted agenda item, and Mr. Bill LaBaire of Fitchburg Road presented a visual on the drop-screen that indicated where the land swap parcels were estimated to be located. The 180+ acres in Westminster that would replace the 85 acres being taken by the landfill are currently privately owned, so the details have not been made official. Ms. Deb Cary spoke about truck traffic in Princeton and lack of progress on odor control. She noted that DCR has a fund specifically for purchasing land around the Wachusett-area state forests, so the 180+ acre addition to Leominster State Forest doesn’t need a swap with WM to become
protected open space.
She and others expressed concern, noting that a landfill expansion offers no benefits to Princeton and may have downsides including truck traffic on local roads, air and possibly water quality being compromised, and the fact that Princeton receives none of the revenue that Westminster, Fitchburg and DCR can collect from WM.
Environmental Action Committee member Cory Burnham-Howard presented details about the legislative effort, and how the expansion could be re-introduced in a future session. She explained why supporters are in favor and noted that it seemed as though progress was being made with odor control. Nina reported that, after talking with Rep. Kim Ferguson, she believed that it was unlikely the legislation would be filed in the coming session—the deadline for filing is Jan. 18.
The WM representatives offered that residents call them on a specific phone number for odor complaints but did not have the number on hand and added that DEP had only recently approved a new system for odor mitigation. According to WM, they do more recycling than anyone else locally. They outlined the challenges around recycling and how disposal capacity of landfills is diminishing just as the recycling business is receding.
Richy B. suggested that anyone concerned start writing letters to all stakeholders and copy the S.B. on complaints. He also noted that Princeton receives no compensation for the landfill’s impact on local infrastructure and environment. The S.B. agreed to consider a letter to legislators at their next communications meeting on Jan. 17.
Council on Aging, Sonoma Space update – The items, such as a janitor sink, required by the Board of Health are estimated at an additional $1,000-$1,500 which is still under the $145k authorized by the Selectboard. Per the original terms agreed by the parties, the town would only be responsible for 75% of that amount. Also, the COA would retain ownership of appliances. Nina pointed out that the lease should be signed next week.
Clarify draft Road Adv. Committee charges – The group considered the draft document and Richy suggested an edit in reference to tree removal.
ACTION: The board voted all in favor to accept the draft version as edited and send it to the Road Advisory Committee for their comments/suggestions.
Selectboard to focus on long-term strategic thinking – The FY’19 goal list outlines this effort to evaluate best practices. Karen C. reported on meeting with Barbara Guthrie who serves on One Worcester, an organization that provides business skills to Worcester-area nonprofits. Nina mentioned setting longer-term goals. Karen suggested visioning sessions rather than goal-setting sessions. Resources may be available from Mass. Municipal Assoc. for strategic planning and long-term goals. Karen will communicate with Ms. Guthrie and the group will address the issue at a future meeting.
Old Mill Road status – Board members reviewed a prior request from Mr. Ed Carlson who was concerned about the RR crossing on Old Mill Road and wants new crossbucks to be reinstalled. Extensive research was done to determine if it was legally a town road or a private way, as the town cannot spend funds on private property. No evidence was found to prove that the town owned it. Nina reported that based on a meeting requested by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), which is the department which regulates public RR crossings, the RR company has been asked by the DPU to install crossbuck signs.
It was noted that a future task for the RAC could be to research the status of town roads—which ones have been accepted and which might be discontinued.
Memorial Day Committee, full board vacancy – The board considered a letter of resignation from Mr. Evan Lattimore who is resigning from the Memorial Day Committee. There is now a full vacancy of the whole Committee. He suggested canceling the Memorial Day band and the S.B. discussed various options. The town’s Memorial Day has been organized for 70+ years, draws a crowd and includes multiple activities including a parade with a hired band, lunch for vets at the Congregational Church and memorial services. The group decided to advertise for committee members or a single Memorial Day officer if not enough people respond. They decided to cancel the band after two weeks of soliciting for volunteer help, if no one responds.
ACTION: The board voted all in favor to accept Mr. Evan Lattimore’s resignation.
Calamint Hill Road North tree removal bid – On Thursday, bids will be received for tree removal on Calamint Hill Road North (southern section).
ACTION: The Selectboard voted all in favor to authorize the TA to award the work to the lowest responsible bidder.
2019 Political Calendar draft – The board considered a 2019 Political Calendar. Once the Selectboard has decided the deadline for the submission of warrant articles and citizens petitions, all boards/committees/commissions/departments,
will be notified. Nina will work with the Advisory Committee to fill in the other blanks and send out the information over Town News so that residents know the deadline for citizens petitions.
ACTION: The Selectboard voted all in favor to set the warrant article deadline for boards/committees to Friday, March 22, 2019 and the deadline for citizens petitions to Monday, April 8th by 3:30 PM as proposed.
Town Administrator report:
- On Friday, January 18th and Saturday, January 19th, Nina will be attending the MMA Annual Meeting and a panelist in one of the workshops called “Initiatives in Municipal IT”. She has asked about S.B. members who may wish to attend the Annual Meeting.
- Nina reported on phone service from Charter being available early in the following week.
Regarding the S.B. Annual Report for 2018, due by mid-February, Karen C. has offered to put it together. The table containing the Record of S.B. actions/votes for 2018 will be forwarded to her.
- Nina submits the budgets for several departments and requested a meeting with the S.B. to discuss some specific items. They agreed to meet Monday, Jan. 14 at 10 AM.
Correspondence/Communications:
- Email from CMRPC regarding Assistance to Achieve Green Community Designation;
- Email from resident regarding Spectrum pricing concerns; and
- Letter from Mass Selectmen’s Association to each member individually regarding the MMA Annual Meeting and Selectmen’s Annual Business Meeting.
Executive Session 7:55 PM
Edie moved and Karen seconded to go into executive session: in accordance with M.G.L. c. 30A, §21: A. Exemption Two – To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel, police chief and fire chief, and not to return to open session. In roll call Edith voted “Aye”, Karen voted “Aye” and Richy voted “Aye”.
SEE SEPARATE MINUTES
Meeting Adjourned 8:34 PM
Respectfully submitted, Marie Auger, admin. assistant
S.B. Referenced Documents: Application/resume from Mr. Frederick Lonardo; emails from Ms. Corey Burnham-Howard on the Westminster Landfill; draft Road Adv. Committee charges; request from Mr. Ed Carlson on a RR sign; letter of resignation from Mr. Evan Lattimore; draft 2019 Political Calendar; Email from CMRPC regarding Assistance to Achieve Green Community Designation; Email from resident regarding Spectrum pricing concerns; Letter from Mass Selectmen’s Association to each member individually regarding the MMA Annual Meeting and Selectmen’s Annual Business Meeting.
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