Town of Princeton, Mass., Selectboard Meeting w/ committee chairs -- Minutes
June 13, 2019 – 7:30 am – Town Hall Annex
Present: Chair Karen Cruise, Richy Bisk, Matthew Moncreaff and interim TA Rick White.
7:30 AM Karen opened the meeting and asked for introductions. Attending were Barbara Guthrie from Council On Aging; Helga Lyons for Adv. Cmte.; Pat McCowan for IT Stretegic Planning Cmte.; Rick Gardner for Open Space Cmte.; Claire Golding for Environmental Action Cmte.; Brian Keevan for Conservation Commission; Jim Shuris for Personnel Board; Charlie Steel for Cemetery Commission; John Mirick for Planning Board and Larry Todd for Historical Commission.
S.B. focus presented – Karen explained to the group what the S.B. is focusing on in the coming year including staffing needs; finance issues such as planning and communication, working with the Advisory Cmte.; communications with residents and volunteers, pages on the new website for “projects” and “finances” and appointing a new Buildings Maintenance Cmte.
Barbara G. – Reporting on Council on Aging, Barb reported an uptick in interest and use with the COA’s new, bright and welcoming location at P.O. Place. New programs such as the Men’s Group are attracting more residents.
Helga L. – The Adv. Cmte. had been facing a potential change in its charter but that has been tabled for now. The major current tasks for the group are creating a budget calendar and development of a financial policy.
Pat M. – The IT Cmte. has been helping IT staff Peter Cummings mainly with research of security systems and other updates. The IT department secured a grant last year for $45,000 for new accounting software.
Rick G. – The Open Space Cmte. is updating its 2013 Open Space Plan which is part of the Master Plan and is required for applying for open space grant funding. It needs to be updated by 2020. Rick described the “Trail Around Princeton” project which has evolved into creating of new trail systems—constructing them and finding ways to connect them. The Fieldstone Farm conservation land is undergoing a major trail building project. He also described the Princeton Hikes program which gets 20 -25 hikers on a typical day, exploring trails both in town and nearby.
Larry T. – The Historical Commission is an arm of the Mass. Hist. Comm., Larry explained, and in the past the group has identified six or seven National Historical Districts and installed numerous historical house plaques. For the Route 140 project in East Princeton, they have arranged for street lighting and railing on the bridge replacement to incorporate historical character. They were involved with restoring Meetinghouse Cemetery and will be installing a sign at the Town Pound site. They have oversight of the Bagg Hall restoration and new windows on the library—as both have historical restrictions.
John M. – The Planning Board is charged with updating the zoning bylaws and in 2020 will be looking at “short-term rentals” such as Air B&B. Also, for next year the group is considering clarifications to regulations around “pre-existing, non-conforming” lot and building dimensions and grandfathered uses.
Claire G. – The Environmental Action Cmte. started in 2017 and just this week has completed its Environmental Action Plan, which began with a survey of town residents to “take the temperature” of the town. The plan will be submitted to the Selectboard for review and then the group will seek feedback from residents in some public meetings. One goal might be to make Princeton a Green Community and have access to grants for energy savings which are timely because of the pending town building construction projects.
Brian K. – The Conservation Commission administers the state’s Wetlands Protection Act which represents at least 90 percent of the group’s time and efforts. Brian said the fun part of the commission is owning and managing public land including the Town Pound as well as the Four Corners and Fieldstone Farm projects, both of which just recently retired their debt. Lease revenue from town-owned hayfields was used to pay off debt but can now be used for conservation/recreation spending.
Jim S. – The Personnel Board only meets once or twice per year in their advisory role, and they have helped in the past with updating and clarifying Compensation & Classification and the Personnel Handbook.
Charlie S. – The Cemetery Commission meets monthly and oversees operation of the town’s seven cemeteries. Charlie explained that outside contractors have been hired to do landscape maintenance as the town does not have all the resources required.
Feedback – Karen asked about “rotating chairs” and the group will consider the concept. She explained the challenges of communication with residents, and the group agreed that the letters-from-Selectboard on Town News etc. have been well-received. Rick G. noted that all available forms of media should be utilized. He mentioned that Redemption Rock News gets to all households. John M. clarified Open Meting Law and how boards must adhere to it, adding that the major issue is avoiding serial discussions online by board members.
BAN to sign – Jim Dunbar was in with a Bond Anticipation Note submitted as the lowest bid from Greenfield Cooperative Bank.
ACTION: Board voted all in favor to approve and sign a BAN for $130,000 from Greenfield Cooperative Bank at 2.5 % interest.
8:35 AM Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted, Marie Auger, admin. assistant
Referenced Documents: BAN documents
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