Town of Princeton, Mass., Selectboard Meeting Minutes
– December 27, 2018 – 5:00 PM – Town Hall Annex
Present: Chair Richard Bisk, Karen Cruise, Edith Morgan w/ student member Kimberly Union and TA Nina Nazarian.
5 PM Richy opened the meeting.
Minutes – There was some discussion about the minutes of Dec. 13 at the 5:30 PM meeting with public safety departments. Selectboard voted to approve minutes of Dec. 12 and Dec. 13 (8:30 AM) and hold on the 5:30 PM minutes pending clarification from Dep. Chief Tim Kelly.
Public Comment – There was no public comment
Charter Update – Still pending is release of commercial business service, although Nina heard that a Charter employee has been promoting it as though it were for sale. Charter has also mentioned that there may be continued issues with phone service, which could delay availability.
Council on Aging, Sonoma Space update – The town is waiting on a response from the management company regarding BOH requirements and any resulting cost increases. Either way, the town feels that additional costs are not the responsibility of the town. Nina reported that the town has waived the cost of the building permit fee which would have been split between the town at 75% and 25% to the property owner, based on the previously agreed share, but that the management company and property owner are aware that the 25% savings may be used as a future credit for the town.
Extend terms of FSC Phase II and Mechanics Hall committees – The group discussed extending terms of these committees from December 31, 2018 to allow their tasks to be completed. For the FSC Phase II, the Selectboard discussed the date of the Annual Town Meeting (May 14th) and the assumption that we will not be seeking a debt exclusion given that the plan is to request funding for design plans at a town meeting, therefore a ballot vote would not be needed. As a result, Selectboard agreed to extend the terms of the members of the FSC Phase II through May 31, 2019. For the Mechanics Hall Committee, the Selectboard discussed extending the date, given that the due date for the report on the findings of the committee was previously extended to February 1st. Both changes
provide for enough time to reach the respective milestone (Annual Town Meeting and the due date of the report, respectively) and additional time should there be a need to extend the terms again.
ACTION: The Selectboard voted all in favor to extend the terms of the FSC Phase II to May 31, 2019 (after the Annual Town Meeting) and the Mechanics Hall Committee to February 20, 2019.
Final letter to residents about funding of roads 5:30 PM – Karen C. distributed a final revised version of the S.B.’s “Funding of Roads” letter for the board’s approval. The group suggested a few minor edits.
ACTION: The board voted all in favor to send the letter to residents with final edits.
Capital Improvements planning – Capital improvements requests are due by January 4th by departments, for compilation by the Collins Center. Nina asked board members to consider possible future projects that constitute a capital expense (a major non-recurring tangible asset with a useful life of at least 5 years and a total cost of at least $5,000). Karen C. noted that with the availability of cable TV, a PEG (public, education & government -- local filming and broadcasting) program may be coordinated with Charter per the previously negotiated license agreement. A point was made that the near-term timing may not be ideal, given renovations being planned for the Annex which would displace the location of regular board/committee meetings. However all agreed that this was
a subject that should be discussed further.
Clarifying Roles & Responsibilities: Draft Committee Charges– Nina provided a brief introduction regarding the background of this subject, specifically that the Selectboard adopted a goal to clarify the Council on Aging’s charge and then use it as a model for other boards/committees. Boards/committees having staff assigned to them are prioritized to clarity communication, roles and responsibilities. Board members considered the draft charge for the Road Advisory Committee (RAC) which was drafted by Karen and reviewed by Nina. Some discussion ensued about working with staff—directing or advising them. It was suggested that it may be more effective to specify who on staff the committee should work with, rather than spelling out what not to do. There
is a need to promote how to work together in conjunction with the T.A. Nina suggested one Selectboard member pairing working with the chairperson to come up with draft language for the RAC charge to then be reviewed and voted on by both boards. For the RAC charge, Karen will work with chair Bill Holder and get the resulting draft back to both boards.
Edith pointed out that the RAC has done an exceptional job, bringing in $19 million in highway grant funding in 20 years.
Proposed Westminster Landfill Expansion – Group considered whether to weigh in on the proposed expansion of the Waste Management facility located in Westminster and Fitchburg. Princeton residents have complained in recent months about odors. The project would take about 85 acres from the north boundary of Leominster State Forest on the east side of Route 31, in exchange for about 174 acres to be added to the west side of the park, north of Crow Hill ledges. Taking any land away from a state park requires an act of the legislature and the proposal is very controversial. As a long-time Westminster Planning Board member Marie A. supplied some facts and figures on the landfill operation and proposed expansion, including that Westminster benefits financially from the landfill.
Edith suggested that stakeholders should look at the bigger picture and start a movement towards more ecologically sound methods of waste disposal and management. Richy suggested that Princeton should discuss the issue since Princeton appears to be experiencing a negative impact, without any financial benefit. The group agreed to invite local residents with knowledge about the subject to a future meeting.
Princeton Center School property, title search 6:10 PM – Questions have been raised about the Princeton Center School property and whether or not the Town of Princeton has clear title. After conferring with town counsel, Nina recommends getting a title search.
ACTION: The Selectboard voted all in favor to approve spending up to $1,000 for a title search of P.C.
MassTech Collaborative Grant Agreement for $100k - The board considered the proposed grant agreement by MassTech. Nina has sent the agreement to Town Counsel for review and is waiting for comments.
ACTION: The Selectboard voted all in favor to authorize the T.A. to sign the grant agreement, subject to changes as determined by the T.A.
January 26-28, 2015 snowstorm reimbursement for $22,616.38 – The Town of Princeton is eligible for a
reimbursement of $22,616.38 for the January 26-28, 2015 snowstorm. Nina plans to delegate the completion of the paperwork to the fire chief.
ACTION: The Selectboard voted all in favor to authorize the T.A. and/or fire chief to sign the FEMA/MEMA January 26-28, 2015 snowstorm reimbursement paperwork for $22,616.38.
Liquor License renewals – The board reviewed several liquor license renewals for the upcoming year. Richy announced that his son may be partnering with one of the businesses being renewed (Mountainside Market) so, out of an abundance of caution, he chose not to vote on that approval.
ACTION: The Selectboard voted all in favor to approve and sign the following ABCC license renewals:
• Innkeepers license to expose, keep for sale, and to sell, all kinds of alcoholic beverages, to be drunk on the premises at the Harrington Farm Country Inn;
• Club license to expose, keep for sale, and to sell, all kinds of alcoholic beverages, to be drunk on the premises at the Norco Sportsman’s Club, Inc and the Nimrod League of Holden;
• Common Victualler license to expose, keep for sale, and to sell, all kinds of alcoholic beverages, to be drunk on the premises at Mountain Barn, Inc.; and
• Retail Package Goods license to expose, keep for sale, and to sell, all kinds of alcoholic beverages, not to be drunk on the premises at DeLiddo, LLC, DBA The Thirsty Lab and also at Khodial Corporation, DBA Kwik Stop Convenience Store.
ACTION: The Selectboard voted with Richy abstaining to approve and sign the following ABCC license renewal:
• Retail Package Goods license to expose, keep for sale, and to sell, wine & malt, not to be drunk on the premises at Cork & Windsor LLC, DBA Mountainside Market.
Sale of cemetery lots – The Selectboard noted a sale of one lot and a deed to be signed.
ACTION: S.B. members voted all in favor to sell lot 20D, space b at Woodlawn Cemetery for $600.00 to Paul and Deb Caneen, and signed the deed.
Final Town Census insert – The board considered the latest version of a census insert memo-to-residents which features news about the FSC II Committee and the Mechanics Hall Cmte. The efforts by these boards have a high priority, given the S.B. goals for this year. With no other changes from the Selectboard, Nina will move forward with inclusion of the presented information in the town census mailing.
Alternate-member openings on Road Adv. Cmte. and Zoning Board of Appeals – A volunteer application was received from Mr. Jon Fudeman who seeks a seat as alternate member on both RAC and ZBA. Holding more than one position is allowed under the state’s “small town exemption.” The chairs of both groups will be contacted for their board’s review and recommendation.
State funding for public safety building – Richy offered to contact Lt. Gov. Polito and Rep. Kim Ferguson about any possible progress in acquiring financial support from the state’s bond bill funding for construction of the proposed public safety building.
S.B. Communication Letters - Karen C. reported that the next S.B. communication to residents will feature a S.B. progress report on various initiatives inclduign the Senior/Community Center at the former Sonoma space and fiber-optic internet service from Charter connecting to all PMLD-served residents.
Correspondence/Communications:
1. Postcard from the Mass Historical Commission announcing its next grant round
2. Letter from Lt. Governor Polito regarding the Community Compact grant
3. Email from Edie regarding the Open Space Committee proposal
4. Letter from the Division of Professional Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections
5. Letter regarding MIIA Board of Directors
Town Administrator’s Reports:
1. Town Website Conversion – A working group of employees and volunteers is being led by the town clerk to convert the website. Nina included a model of how the front page of the website will look.
2. Old Mill Road – Based on an inquiry by resident Mr. Ed Carlson and the Department of Public Utilities, the town has investigated the status of Old Mill Road (public or private). Investigations have not found any information that conclusively provides that Old Mill Road was accepted by Town Meeting.
Meeting Adjourned 6:30 PM
Respectfully submitted, Marie Auger, admin. assistant
S.B. Referenced Documents: S.B.’s “Funding of Roads” letter; draft charge for the Road Advisory Committee; proposed grant agreement by MassTech; the FEMA/MEMA January 26-28, 2015 snowstorm reimbursement documents; liquor license renewals; sale of cemetery lot; census insert memo-to-residents; volunteer application from Jon Fudeman; postcard from the Mass Historical Commission; letter from Lt. Governor Polito; email from Edie regarding Open Space Committee; letter from the Division of Professional Licensure; MIIA Board of Directors letter; and website front page model.
| 
