Selectboard -- Town of Princeton, Mass. – Jan. 16, 2018 – 6:30 PM
– Meeting w/ Facilities Steering & Advisory Cmte. – Town Hall Annex
Present: Chair Jon Fudeman, Richard Bisk, Edith Morgan w/ TA Nina Nazarian. Advisory Cmte. members included Chair John Shipman, Judy Dino, Wayne Adams, George Handy, Don Schoeny and Jim O’Coin. Facilities group included Chair Karen Cruise, Chris Conway, Steve Mirick, Larry Todd & Mary Jo Wojtusik.
Mechanics Hall Insurance – Board noted report from Nina on insurance for Mechanics hall and agreed with insurance agent’s recommendation. Voted all in favor to proceed with recommended purchase of insurance for upcoming year for Mechanics Hall.
Thomas Prince School PCBs – Reviewing a legal recommendation, board voted all in favor—with Richy B. recusing--to dismiss a case against Monsanto regarding PCB removal at T.P. School.
Environmental Action Committee Resignation – The board voted all in favor to accept the resignation of Susan Hardenbrook from the Environmental Action Cmte.
Sawyer Field Temporary Easement for Route 140 Project – The board voted all in favor to allow the T.A. to sign the temporary easement acknowledgements for an easement for Sawyer Field in East Princeton as part of the road construction project.
Long-Range Planning discussed 6:40 PM – Jon F. outlined his idea for creation of a long-range planning committee to consider 5 – 10 year forecasting and capital planning. This new group would start after the ATM in May and sunset in three years unless a need is seen to continue indefinitely. Select Board voted all in favor for Jon to develop a warrant article, in the form of a proposed bylaw, to establish the committee.
Report from ad hoc citizens group Bill Holder explained the calculations the ad hoc financial-analysis group has produced. He had numbers for how much debt the town could take on, staying under 10 percent of the total budget, and adjusted both with and without inflation. With three percent growth of the budget each year, and no new debt, the average tax bill of today at $5,900.00 would climb to almost $9,000.00 by 2027. Current debt will be paid off in 2027. Using the threshold of 7-10 percent the town could take on about $4 million in new debt. Accruing debt above the 10 percent threshold could mean lower bond rating and higher interest rates.
Facilities Steering Cmte. convened 7:05 PM – Chair Karen C noted that JWA (architects) have been working on ways to bring costs down, and they estimate needing $6-7 million to create a public safety site at Princeton Center, and opening up parking at Town Hall. Priorities are to stabilize Bagg Hall and replace windows and create more meeting/community space. Chris C. prefers moving Fire Dept. equipment to Station II and upgrading the Annex. The Fire/Police building is in the worst shape (of the group) and needs structural support. He said these are relatively small projects. There was discussion about space at Station II as all bays are currently filled. Timeframes were also discussed, as at least one year is needed just to assess cost estimates. Steve M. reported on feedback from residents after surveys were
done in past, and it was noted that CMRPC has helped with that. Richy B. pointed out that the public must be educated about (building) needs before it’s worth asking their opinions.
John S. said ATM voters will decide on all spending and if debt is to be perpetuated. Steve M. suggested a schedule that would spread (capital) spending over 5 – 10 years. Jon noted that spending articles could be addressed at future town meetings, after the coming ATM.
George H. pointed out that collecting another $750,000./year is still below the town’s levy limit and doesn’t exceed Prop. 2 ½. He stressed that town officials don’t challenge themselves, and pointed out how $3.2 million in Chapt. 70 funding got away a few years ago.
Meeting opened to public comment 8:10 PM Larry Greene Sr. asked about spreading capital spending over time and not hit taxpayers up front. He said P.O. Place has space to rent which town could use for meetings/community functions, as it is currently being rented for COA and others. He stressed doing first things first, and fixing the Bagg Hall envelope, followed by other projects over a scheduled time period.
Phil Gransewicz demanded to know what it would take for some action, as the same excuses for delaying building upgrades have been going on for 40 years. Larry G. noted that if plans are laid out right they can get support for the spending, and it’s not necessary to own every building/space that the town uses.
New resident Tancy Kelly-Sawyer from Hubbardston Road described touring the public safety complex with her Girl Scout troop and it was a real eye-opener as to the need for repairs/upgrades. Phil G. suggested a video tour of all buildings, accessible on the website, to educate more residents as to critical needs and reach those who cannot attend meetings.
Jon F. pointed out that debt payments for the wind turbines, reflected in residents’ electric bills, will end in 2026.
Adjourned F.S.C. at 8:50 PM
Respectfully submitted, Marie Auger, admin. assist.
Selectboard Referenced Documents: Report from Nina on insurance for Mechanics Hall; memo from legal counsel regarding PCB case; resignation note from Susan Hardenbrook; Saywer Field Temporary Easement for Route 140 Project
Marie Auger
Administrative Assistant
Planning Department
978-464-2100
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