Town of Princeton, Mass., Selectboard Meeting Minutes
May 28, 2019 – 8:30 am – Town Hall Annex
Present: Chair Karen Cruise, Richard Bisk, Matthew Moncreaff and interim TA Rick White
8:30 AM Karen opened the meeting.
Minutes – The board voted unanimously to approve the minutes from May 13, 14 and later in the meeting, May 21.
Public Comment – Nancy Ciara of 45 Hickory Drive and Kathy Goyette of 71 Hickory Drive were in to report speeding vehicles in their neighborhood, which is not a through road and has at least 20 children under age 12 playing on site. Ms. Ciara noted that she had notified police two years ago but the problem won’t go away and more families have moved in recently. Speeders are mainly local neighbors as well as commercial vehicles. Police have been called in and their presence helps but is temporary. The two seek a less confrontational solution and are requesting temporary speed bumps on the roadway.
Karen said the board would discuss options for traffic calming on Hickory Drive.
Patrick O’Shaunessey at 29 Mountain Road was in to report about an alleged lack of enforcement by the Police Dept. among other criticisms and complaints. He claimed he has requested documents from the police with no response and asked to get onto the S.B. agenda. He described frustration over a number of issues, including death threats, unregistered guns, restraining orders and was generally agitated over recent events at the address.
Rick told him he must file a request in writing, so that it would be clear, and present it to the Police Station in order for the police to follow through, and he would need separate deliverables for specific requests to the Selectboard and to the Police Dept. Rick offered to escort Mr. O’Shaunessey to the police station after the SB if he wished to file a written request.
Geoff Yaglou came in to discuss the consent decree that’s been issued at 171 Worcester Road and its pending deadline. His brother now owns the house and has negotiated with the housing court to take responsibility for cleaning and rehabbing the property to avoid receivership. Mr. Yaglou specifically wanted to know the S.B. position on the consent decree and the Board of Health involvement.
After some discussion about this not being a Selectboard issue, Mr. Yaglou agreed that he would return to the Board of Health to try and extend the deadline on the decree.
Capital Improvement Plan – Rick discussed the Capital Improvement Plan from the Collins Center and its inventory of town assets. He noted that many town assets are kept beyond their useful life. The town’s athletic fields at Krashes in recent years have lost revenue since sports team leases are diminishing. The revolving fund no longer is sufficient to support maintenance costs. He noted the other assets such as 80 miles of roadway with 15 bridges or major culverts, and the DPW’s 47 units of rolling stock. Inventory at DPW is rehabbed/recycled/retrofitted and saves the town considerable money by avoiding new equipment purchases. Rick also reviewed the numbers associated with capital outlays and mentioned various grant sources. He suggested that policies be adopted regarding the future of the
playing fields, buildings and debt management and especially WRSD capital spending issues and short-term building envelope investment. He also stressed that the CIP is very good but needs to be presented differently so that residents can understand it easily. Feedback on the CIP is needed from the S.B. and the Adv. Cmte. before it will be approved/accepted.
Bond bill – Richy continues efforts to tap state funding sources for construction of a public safety facility, but noted that requests to public officials keep getting deflected. He indicated that his is not optimistic about the likelihood of state funding. Rick suggests that the town must fund initial efforts such as design/engineering, but voters may be hesitant to support funding without a guarantee of state support.
Bagg Hall project – Jim O’Coin and Dave Cruise are crafting a moving plan for Town Hall staff when Bagg Hall gets renovated. They anticipate moving temporarily to space at P.O. Place.
Mechanics Hall – Proposals are due on June 17, 1 PM, for purchase/reuse of Mechanics Hall. Nothing has been received to date, but submissions are often last-minute.
Resignations – Three individuals have forwarded a notice of resignation from a committee. Matt suggested sending cards thanking volunteers for their years on a board/committee, when they step down. The group agreed.
ACTION: The Selectboard voted all in favor to accept the resignations of George Handy and Krista Penning from the Advisory Cmte. and Richard Chase from the Facilities Steering Cmte. II
Committee openings/re-appointments – The board noted that terms end for many committee volunteers on June 30 and residents must be notified. Anyone interested, including incumbents, must complete the application process, and can find directions online. Karen had a draft of an ad soliciting for members on the A.C., including the charge, and group discussed the language in it. All agreed to have all empty positions posted on Town News. The A.C. seats should be posted separately.
ACTION: Board voted all in favor to accept the A.C. volunteer solicitation as agreed upon.
Building Maintenance group – The board discussed creating a new 5-member committee and settled on a charge, as well as naming it the “Building Maintenance Committee.” The group discussed and made some edits.
ACTION: Board voted all in favor to accept the B.M.C. charge as edited.
Municipal representative for WRSD – The board needs to send a member and Karen offered to represent Princeton. A meeting is scheduled for June 10.
New website – Karen suggested that the town’s new website include a “Finance” tab on the Home page which includes the budget and Capital Improvement Plan among other things. Also, a “Projects” page to keep residents apprised on progress with Bagg Hall windows, the East Princeton/Route 140 upgrade, Calamint Hill paving and sale of town-owned land.
Meetings – The S.B. will have its initial Goals meeting on Tuesday, June 4 at 8:30 AM; the next regular meeting will be Tuesday, June 11 at 1 PM; the first breakfast meeting with committee chairs will be Thursday, June 13 at 7:30 AM. They agreed that the first listening session of FY’20 with residents will wait until late September.
Communications letter – The board reviewed the letter Richy drafted for the S.B. communication to residents that described organizational/staff changes in Town Hall.
ACTION: The Board voted all in favor to approve the letter, dated May 21.
Meeting with residents for traffic calming options – The board agreed to hold a public meeting for residents on Tuesday, June 18 at 7 PM to discuss options for slowing traffic in residential neighborhoods.
10:25 AM Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted, Marie Auger, admin. assistant
Referenced Documents: Capital Improvement Plan; Resignations of George Handy and Krista Penning from the Advisory Cmte. and Richard Chase from the Facilities Steering Cmte. II; ad soliciting for members on the A.C.; Building Maintenance Committee charge; letter for the S.B. communication to residents.
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