Town of Princeton, Mass. – April 4, 2018 – 4 PM
Selectboard – Town Hall Annex – To Focus on Capital Plan
Present: Chair Richard Bisk, Edith Morgan & Jon Fudeman w/ TA Nina Nazarian.
Minutes from March 29 – Meeting was opened by Richy. Board decided to review edits on March 29 minutes and discuss at next meeting.
Capital Plan discussion – The board questioned whether the Annex will need immediate attention/funding and that it may be a tear-down. All agreed that Bagg Hall stabilization was top priority. Jon F. suggested taking monies out of stabilization funds to make spending more palatable. Nina recommended using stabilization funds for the larger capital project and will seek some direction from the town’s financial advisor about the alternatives. Richy wants to ask the advisor how far down a stabilization fund can or should be depleted without effecting bond rating. Monies from a bond bill, or from donations, are unknown. If a proposition 2 ½ exclusion(s) are required as a result of actions at ATM, a ballot election for borrowing will be
held on June 25. Funds would go to design/engineering first. Construction would follow--not before 2020. A Request For Qualifications could be drawn up to possibly go out before the election – this would be an aggressive timetable.
Capital Plan discussion con’t, Facilities articles Judy D. suggests keeping construction articles together. The article totals are very rough estimates. First article is Bagg Hall Stabilization at $1.25 million; next is a new public safety building, including design, at $7 million; third is a complete renovation of Bagg Hall with an elevator addition, at $6.1 million (if the first article passes, the 6.1 can be reduced by $1 million); next is just a stabilization/repair of public safety for $100,000 and an article funding the Annex repair would be $350,000.
Fire Dept. articles Nina restated her understanding that the fire chief is recommending “water on wheels” in the form of a new tanker/fire truck at $525,000 which is more efficient for quick response and would serve the entire town. It could be funded with borrowing, leasing or raise & appropriate (in light of excess levy capacity) or transfer from available funds. Edith recommended paying half the total in one year and the 2nd half in the following year. She also suggested moving EMT staff from slower days (Monday and Friday) to cover Saturday and Sunday.
Project updates 9:50 PM Group discussed space for COA and Nina will distribute floor plans of P.O. Place. The board agreed to meet on Tuesday, April 10 at 4 PM to continue discussions on long term capital costs. The board agreed to email Nina suggestions for “citizen of the year.”
Action: The board voted all in favor to set the Special Town Election for June 25, if one is necessary.
There was discussion about the town getting reimbursed from MBI for some of the make-ready expenditures for broadband. Currently the TA is beginning the conversation with Charter regarding the additional make-ready costs which are estimated to be $128,000. Charter is communicating with the MBI about the same. The equipment huts are still for sale.
Regarding the ATM article on the sale of Mechanics Hall, the Friends of Mechanics Hall are invited to the S.B. regular meeting on April 17.
Adjourned 6:05 PM
Respectfully submitted, Marie Auger, Admin. Asst.
BOS Referenced Documents: Draft FY’19 capital summary; proposed warrant articles for ATM;
Marie Auger
Administrative Assistant
Planning Department
978-464-2100
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