Selectboard -- Town of Princeton, Mass. – March 5, 2018 – 7:30 PM
– Meeting w/Adv. Cmte.– Town Hall Annex
Present: Chair Jon Fudeman, Richard Bisk and Edith Morgan w/ TA Nina Nazarian. Adv. Cmte. members: George Handy, Wayne Adams, Judy Dino, Don Schoeny, Jim O’Coin, Bill Lawton and Chairman John Shipman
WRSD budget – Supt. Darryll McCall, was in with Bus. Mgr. Joe Scanlon, Deputy Supt. Bob Berlo, Director of HR Jeff Carlson, and Special Ed. Coord. Carol Hume. School committee members Bob Imber and Megan Weeks were also in attendance. Darryll presented a PowerPoint review—as a hand-out--of the FY’19 school budget. He and the staff explained the reasons for a 25 percent deficit owing to unanticipated costs for Special Ed. and related transportation. Students sent out of district for Special Ed. numbered 41 this year which was more than last year. Richy B. questioned why costs are increasing while enrollment has been falling since 2011. Darryll said the enrollment changes are spread out over all towns/schools and that student needs are different, with Special Ed. costs increasing. There is an attempt to
serve Special Ed. students in-house in the future, as transportation is costly. Jon F. requested a total cost of Special Ed. including transportation.
The total proposed budget is 4.24 percent higher that last year, and Princeton’s contribution is just over $4.8 million, which is a 4.14 percent increase over last year. Princeton School Committee member Bob Imber decried recent cost cutting measures and listed basic needs that aren’t being met, such as textbooks. He described the WRSD budget as still climbing out of a hole. Group discussed revenue sources such as rental of school fields, or engaging a sponsor for sport facilities.
School security 8:10 PM – There was lengthy discussion on safeguards being used in the district, after Darryll described “shelter-in-place” drills being done at the high school. On March 24 a “March For Our Lives” is planned in cities nationwide Students at WRHS are planning a 17 minute walk-out. Darryll assured Richy B. that the walk-out students would not be penalized. Some noted the success of community policing, and did not support arming teachers.
Environmental Action Cmte. 8:40 PM – Chair Claire Goulding, Phoebe Moore and several members of the EAC were in to explain recent activities, including hosting speakers from PMLD and Green Communities. A survey in the fall collected opinions from just over 200 respondents. The group wants to craft an environmental action plan and have reviewed samples from other communities. The top issues from the survey were access to green energy and improving trach/recycling services. Members were concerned that the ATM vote had created their committee with a one-year timeframe but Selectboard members assured the group that the ATM article was a non-binding vote and committee would be ongoing, as it was under the purview of the Selectboard. The EAC is seen as a conduit for relating education and information to residents.
Mary Jo Wojtusik from the Facilities Steering Cmte. asked how EAC goals fit in with building codes for municipal buildings and how energy conservation may relate to future construction plans in town. Also, PMLD is involved with energy saving issues and encourages all residents to attend their commission meetings.
Route 140 Reconstruction Project 9:10 PM – Bill Holder noted that the project is basically on schedule and there will be an article at ATM to approve an alteration/relocation in the plans of the road footprint.
Charter Cable – Nina encouraged residents to sign up on Town News to receive updates on the cable TV installation. It was noted that with the consistent help and support of PMLD, the project was moving forward on schedule.
Mechanics Hall well – Nina noted no response from DEP on the Mechanics Hall well—after the town had requested an extension on remediation action that’s mandated.
Environmental Acton Committee appointment 9:25 PM - The EAC has recommended Christine Samoiloff to fill the vacancy on the committee. The board voted all in favor to appoint Christine Samoiloff--term through June 30, 2018.
Advisory Cmte. Review Cmte. – It is anticipated that the group will have a report by next Wednesday.
Firearms as public health threat – Richy shared documents and statistics, including an editorial from the NY Times by Gregory Gibson. The USA has eight times more shooting deaths per capita than Canada and 27 times more than Denmark. He noted that Australia instituted gun laws 18 years ago and there have been no mass shootings since then. Federal funding for gun death research has been cancelled, but private organizations such as Rand Corp. and Pew Research Center have conducted major studies and other websites such as JUSTTHEFACTS.COM are available. Richy contended that strong opinions on opposing sides make this issue a difficult one for open discussion and all
sides must find some compromise before any solutions can be found. He cited engaging the sportsmen’s clubs to foster the work they have been doing on gun safety for everyone. States, including Massachusetts, are considering or adopting laws, such as the Extreme Risk Protective Order which takes guns away from individuals deemed risky. Instituting “active shooter training” such as ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate) was mentioned. Jon F. suggested getting the police chief involved and possibly having the Selectboard initiate a non-binding resolution.
Cannabis Control Commission 10:05 PM – Pl. Bd. Chairman John Mirick was in to explain that his board considered the new recreational marijuana regulations, from the state, to be analogous with alcohol (ABCC) licensing, and as such, subject to the same permitting process which is under local jurisdiction of the Selectboard. Local regulations must be approved by ballot at the next local election, which is November 2018. John M. agreed that the Pl. Bd. could do the research and craft some options concerning regulations, to forward to the Selectboard, who would choose an option to present to voters next fall.
Public Participation at Meetings 10:25 PM – Board voted all in favor to adopt a Public Participation Policy. The board discussed asking other committees and boards to consider adopting it and will suggest that when distributing the policy.
Highway Dept. deficit – The Board voted all in favor to spend up to $30,000 into deficit in the snow and ice budget pursuant to M.G.L. c. 44, §31D.
Historical Commission appointment – The Historical Commission has recommended Carl Soderburg to fill the vacancy for an alternate member on the commission. The board voted all in favor to appoint Carl Soderburg as an alternate member for a term through June 30, 2018.
Auditing firm engaged – After considering a FY17-19 engagement letter with Roselli, Clark and Associates, the board voted all in favor to authorize the town administrator to sign the engagement letter with Roselli, Clark & Associates.
North Face Endurance Challenge June 9 & 10 – The board voted all in favor to approve the events by the North Face Endurance Challenge, being held by Publicis Hawkeye, Inc. on June 9th and 10th, subject to the conditions set by the police and fire chiefs.
Out-of-District student update – WRSD sent a notice regarding Amelia Burrows attending Franklin County Tech H.S. This choice was finally allowed because she redirected her concentration to one not offered by local school districts. Group discussed possible outcomes if her concentration returned to one offered locally, but main concern was the town being potentially responsible for transportation costs if current situation (her father drives there to work) were to change.
Princeton Center update – Building maintenance staff and Nina ascertained that costs for repairing and maintaining heating system in Princeton Center outweighed any need to keep it heated at a reduced temperature through this season and the decision was made to shut-down the heating system & drain the building, One previous tenant has yet to remove all her inventory but the building is essentially empty and unoccupied.
Mechanics Hall update 10:45 PM – The town’s insurance company for Mechanics Hall has informed the T.A. that they will not provide property repair insurance after 3/11, due to the building being condemned. The company notes that the building is risk ineligible, pursuant to their underwriting guidelines. This insurance broker will look into other coverage options, but does not expect to find companies that will cover a condemned building, so the town will be self-insured after 3/11/18 for damage (i.e. fire, wind storm, hale, vandalism, etc.). The board discussed the option to present an article at ATM in May to sell the building ($1) and they will meet with the Friends of Mechanics Hall soon to discuss the future of this property.
Adjourned 10:57 PM
Respectfully submitted, Marie Auger, admin. assist.
Selectboard Referenced Documents: WRSD Budget memo/charts in PowerPoint document; Power Point from EAC; editorial from the NY Times; Public Participation at Meetings Policy; engagement letter with Roselli, Clark and Associates; North Face Endurance Challenge request; Report on Princeton Center; email from Nina on Mechanics Hall insurance.
Marie Auger
Administrative Assistant
Planning Department
978-464-2100
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