Selectboard -- Town of Princeton, Mass. – March 26, 2018 – 3:00 PM
– Meeting in Town Hall Annex: funding public safety construction
Present: Chair Jon Fudeman, Edith Morgan & Richard Bisk w/ TA Nina Nazarian. Guest Deb Cary; Karen Cruise; John Bennett at 4:10 PM
3 PM – Opened meeting for discussion on finding sources of funding for the public safety building upgrade/reconstruction project. Board voted all in favor to accept minutes of March 6 with an addition from Jon F.
Bond bill pending – Group considered a bond bill now in the Legislature which will incorporate funding requests from communities, totally about $3.5 billion. The entire state budget is over $41 billion The bill includes $9 million for Princeton’s public safety complex.If this bond bill is issued every year, then Princeton can keep trying. Group will seek support of Harriette Chandler and other representatives on Beacon Hill, such as Lt. Gov. Karen Polito and John Lebeaux—all familiar with Princeton.
The issue is how to strategically get more funding from the state. Consensus was to stay “in front” of town’s elected officials, who have not been able to promise specific financial support but continue to advise, “don’t give up.”
Deb Cary shared list - Having had much experience finding grants and other support from the state, Deb Cary put together a list titled, “How Princeton Serves the Commonwealth,” which outlined the value and economic outcomes provided by the town’s outdoor (tourism) amenities, plus the issues around drinking water protection. These were incorporated into a larger list that included the group’s brainstorming strategies.
Building a case – Richy noted that the bill was submitted by Senator Chandler and Princeton’s funding was in the Senate version of the the bond bill. It was removed by the House. The Senate put it back in; but the House did not agree. The group considered visiting Boston to literally knock on doors. It was noted that the state’s revenue collections right now are higher that what was projected. Group went over numbers from insurance industry, looking at how ISO standards affect home insurance premiums. This is important in siting a public safety facility, as any property over five miles from a fire station is Category 9 in ISO standards—the town in general is now at Category 6. Category 9 would substantially increase homeowner insurance rates. These ISO numbers would increase if
the Town Center facility were shut down for code violations and Station Two became the sole facility. Jon F. agreed to forward the stats he has reviewed from insurance consultant Russ Craven.
The income status of town residents was discussed, as town officials regularly receive complaints about housing prices and high taxes forcing residents—especially senior citizens—out of town. While Princeton ranks in top 25 percent of state income level, numbers are needed on lower income levels of local households. Some see numbers skewed by several households at the highest end.
Group agreed to stress the fact that state aid is sought for the Public Safety building because costs for all the other capital projects in town have become unmanageable—the Fire Dept. alone has a long list of capital needs besides a new building.
The group agreed that state officials will insist that the town try everything and exhaust all options before requesting state funding—that includes seeking town meeting approval.
Detail on Fire Dept. activity 4:10 PM -- John Bennett arrived and reported that his staff conducts constant rescues off the mountain from spring through fall and was there every weekend last year. His comments were incorporated into the brainstorming list. He is waiting for a new ISO rating for the town, which analyzes risk using statistics on public safety staff and equipment, response rates, etc. He offered to ask a lobbyist he knows for advice, and maybe focus on the mountain summit communication complex and tie-ins with Homeland Security as rationales for state support..
4:35 PM Adjourned meeting
Respectfully submitted, Marie Auger, Admin. Asst.
Referenced Documents: Brainstorming Session list; List from Deb Cary “How Princeton Serves the Commonwealth.”
Marie Auger
Administrative Assistant
Planning Department
978-464-2100
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