Town of Princeton, Mass., Selectboard Meeting Minutes
April 17, 2019 – 6:00 pm – Town Hall Annex
Present: Chair Richard Bisk, Karen Cruise, Edith Morgan and TA Nina Nazarian
6:01 PM Richy opened the meeting.
Minutes – The board voted unanimously to approve the minutes from April 3, 4, 10 & 11 and approve but not release April 3rd Exec. Session minutes.
Public Comment – Residents of Prospect Street were in to present evidence to the S.B. about continuing flooding during recent weather events which they attribute to the cleared hillside on the rear of the 10-acre property at 30 Mountain Road. Phil Kenney, 21 Prospect St., described water eroding yards, flooding catch basins and streaming over Prospect St. Other neighbors had similar complaints. Richy outlined previous communications/actions taken on this issue and explained how the town and the S.B. have no standing, according to town counsel. He also explained that the board couldn’t address the issue or discuss or advise on it because it was not on the agenda. Neighbors Trey Nelson and Donna Brisbois (18 Prospect St.) submitted information on overwhelmed drainage basins and flooding basements. Trey
played a video of rushing water behind his house. He said that Dr. Ervin had been contacted and had promised to resolve the problem but no progress has resulted. Donna submitted photos of water flowing and erosion trenches on her property and on the road.
The neighbors were aware that their property damage is a civil issue, not involving the town, although they warned the board about the town road and its drainage facilities being impacted. It was also noted that the only regulatory agency with standing is the federal EPA. Richy agreed to add this issue to a future S.B. agenda.
FY20 Budget / Capital / Warrant – The group reviewed the FY20 budget and capital recommendations and discussed placing items on the warrant. They approved several sections as written, including General Government, Education and others beyond control of the town. The regional dispatch budget was up 30 percent for various reasons, but it still costs the town less than the previous local dispatch service.
In the Public Safety section, there were no bottom line changes, as it is level-funded, except for cost of Animal Control. Nina reported that the town could pay cash for the planned new cruisers to avoid new debt and the board agreed.
The group considered a $15,525.50 line item for Franklin Cty. Tech. H.S. which is not being spent, as the student it was to be used is not going there. Board members decided to remove it from the budget.
Regarding road construction projects, Nina explained that bids for the Route 31 culvert were due April 22 and bids for the Calamint Hill paving project were due May 6—close to ATM on May 14. The board discussed a Road Adv. Cmte. request for $375,000 instead of the previous years’ $350,000.
Parks & Recreation Commission expense line may increase by $5,000 to maintain fields at Krashes but the S.B. needs their input before they can support the request--setting a joint meeting has been difficult. The commission only has three members left and Karen agreed to contact Phil Gransewicz and Richy offered to contact Kelton Burbank—to set up a joint meeting regarding the future of the fields.
Regarding the Wage & Salary Reserve Fund, a 3 percent cushion was factored into the budget at $15,000, which the board felt was not sufficient. After subtracting the police cruisers, Nina calculated that the Reserve could be up to $30,000 at 3 percent.
The group discussed a request from Lynne Grettum, town clerk and soon-to-be town clerk, Ginger Toll, for new voting booths to replace the old, wooden ones and after accepting their reasoning, agreed to purchase them in FY’19 and take the line item off the FY’20 budget.
ACTION: The Selectboard voted all in favor to purchase the voting booths.
The board agreed to use cash reserves of $28,000 for Public Safety Building Phase I design.
They also decided not to wait for the next highway superintendent to purchase/replace the 1988 Mack dump truck and keep the article on the warrant with no stipulations. They also agreed to the replacement/restoration of the historic windows in the library.
Nina discussed a PEG grant for local production of cable TV, acknowledging that the town doesn’t have the resources to engage in such a project anytime soon. She will look into holding onto any funds the town receives for PEG that may be put toward future use.
The board considered funding the town’s stabilization accounts or carrying over the funds as free cash. It was suggested that the town could raise taxes up to its levy limit and that could bring in almost $1 million.
New Council on Aging/community space, usage policy – Karen reported on use of space at the new COA/Community Center (former Sonoma at P.O. Place). She outlined how the Princeton Art Society wished to “partner” with the town in sharing monthly rental fees, rather than pay on an as-need basis for event space. Karen preferred opening up the opportunity to all non-profits such as Scouts or garden club etc., who may want to partner rather than pay-as-you-go. The issue will be considered after the scheduling/space needs of all stakeholders, especially the town, are assessed. Karen noted that there is already a tentative fee schedule.
Interim Town Administrator Interviews – The group decided to craft some interview questions when they meet Thursday morning and then interview three candidates on Monday morning.
Annex & Public Safety Improvements “Stabilization” – Nina noted that bids are projected to go out in early May for the Public Safety Improvements project.
Bagg Hall Improvements “Stabilization” update--authorize TA to sign contract – A proposal from Spencer, Sullivan and Vogt will be reviewed by Chris Conway, Steve Mirick, Jim O’Coin and Nina.
ACTION: The Selectboard voted all in favor to authorize the town administrator to sign a contract with Spencer, Sullivan & Vogt for the Bagg Hall Improvements project.
Mechanics Hall Survey / Request for Proposals – Andrysick Land Surveying has provided a contract, which has been reviewed by town counsel. For an amount under $10k, as per Town Bylaws, no bid process is necessary so the T.A. can sign once paperwork is turned around.
Completion of a survey will be followed by the RFP for the sale of Mechanics Hall.
Highway Superintendent transition –The Nina noted that the contract is pretty broad in describing highway superintendent duties and that a Princeton job description may not exist for this position. The Selectboard may wish to review a draft job description and see descriptions from similar, neighboring towns. Nina agreed to further investigate the town’s HR files and Karen offered to research other communities.
Notice of Intent to convert to other use under M.G.L. c. 61B, – The board received notice that a property owner plans to take a piece of land described as Map 12, Lot 22-1A, Brooks Station Road out of "Chapter 61B" and the town is offered first right of refusal to purchase the land. A map which the board received indicated the lot on Brooks Station Road was only 3.57 acres. The board saw no use for the land and agreed to take no action.
Resignation Update from Mr. Jared Sharp -- IT Coordinator Peter Cummings has been working with current Veterans Agent Jared Sharp on understanding the veterans agent job. They have concluded that Peter can be the person that residents contact to meet in person and have Jared continue to work on processing claims remotely—as he will be moving out of state. The board received an email from Jared outlining the general approach. A regional agent will be considered going forward, as many surrounding towns share this service.
Resignation from Ms. Emily Babbitt de Nicasio & Post Parks & Recreation
Commission opening – The board received an email announcing Ms. Babbitt de Nicasio’s
resignation.
ACTION: The Selectboard voted all in favor to accept the resignation of Ms. Emily Babbitt de Nicasio from the Parks & Recreation Commission and post the opening.
Approve Wachusett Hill Climb Road Race on Sunday, May 12th – The board reviewed a map of the proposed race.
ACTION: The Selectboard voted all in favor to approve the Wachusett Hill Climb Road Race on Sunday, May 12th, subject to the Police and Fire Department requirements and the submission of a Certificate of Liability Insurance covering the town.
Calamint Hill Road North Tree Removal, Authorize TA to Award Bid – Nina noted that on Tuesday bids were opened for Phase 2 of tree removal on Calamint Hill Road North and bid results were distributed.
ACTION: Board voted all in favor to authorize the TA to award the Calamint Hill Road North Phase II tree work to Princeton Tree Services, Inc.
Correspondence/Communications:
1. Letter from Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke regarding the Monty Tech FY20 disapproval
vote – This was previously sent to the board along with other minor correspondence,
Town Administrator’s Reports:
1. FY2020 Budget Development / Town Meeting Warrant – Upcoming meetings:
a. On April 24th at 6PM the AC is planning to meet to review the Draft ATM warrant
b. On May 1st at 6PM the AC will hold its Public Hearing on the ATM warrant.
c. If not finalized beforehand, we will need a special meeting on Monday, May 6th (before 5 PM) to finalize and sign the warrant. The warrant must be posted on May 6th.
2. Administrative Consent Order (ACO) for new Public Water Supply at Town Hall Drive
– The Town received an ACO from MassDEP on the subject of the Public Water Supply that is needed to serve the town buildings located along Town Hall Drive. The Town has have begun planning and working toward the requirements of this ACO.
3. Long Term Financial Planning – Considering that the SB/FSC ask to this coming town meeting has changed, the limited time available during this transition, and the fact that the Town has not received the MS Excel workbook template being worked on by the Division of Local Services for Municipal Forecasting, Nina reported that it is not likely that we will have a long term financial plan prior to the annual town meeting.
8:35 PM Executive Session: The board voted in roll call vote, with Richy saying “Aye,” Karen “Aye” and Edith “Aye” to enter into executive session, in accordance with M.G.L. c. 30A, §21 under Exemption 2: to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for contract negotiations with nonunion personnel--Classification & Compensation Plan, police chief, fire chief & highway superintendent, only to adjourn.
See separate minutes
Meeting Adjourned: 8:54 PM
Respectfully submitted, Marie Auger, admin. assistant
Referenced Documents: Photos and memo outlining erosion damage to Prospect Street properties; Draft warrant budget pages; request from soon-to-be town clerk, Ginger Toll; proposal from Spencer, Sullivan and Vogt; Notice of Intent to convert to other use under M.G.L. c. 61B; email from Jared Sharpe; letter of resignation from Emily Babbitt de Nicasio; Wachusett Hill Climb Road Race map; bid proposal from Princeton Tree Services, Inc.; Letter from Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke regarding the Monty Tech
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