Town of Princeton, Mass. – Feb. 23, 2016 – 5 pm
Meeting Minutes - PBMLP
5:07 PM Meeting opened with PBMLP members Stan Moss, chair, Edith Morgan, Jon Fudeman and T.A. Nina Nazarian, Phil Leaman, John Kowaleski, and Phil O’Brien in attendance.
Stan M. explained details of the financial model. With a possible $4 million needed beyond the $1.2 million in ‘make ready’ funds already committed, about $3.7 million may be the figure for long-term borrowing. About $20,000/month is anticipated to operate the network. The national average rate of subscriptions for similar networks is about 70-75 percent saturation. The Princeton program is estimated to break even at half-saturation, or 688 households out of 1303. Phil O. will put a fact sheet on the website with this info.
5:30 PM Board voted all in favor to release the financial model, calling it “Estimate of Construction Costs and Break-even Analysis.” Jon F. noted that it’s not a projection of revenues, as it’s not possible to project future revenues reliably, especially 20 years out, in a dynamic, competitive environment. He also defined “financial model” as an estimate of construction costs; estimate of initial operating expenses and a break-even analysis—at a given price point.
Phil L. reported on Verizon and PMLD pole progress and described a setback with new requirements from Verizon. With extra pole work, the date for a STM must move to August from June. Group discussed advantages or--pitfalls--of getting bids from contractors before or after the STM. A decision will be made at next meeting on March 2, which will start at 3 PM to have a design engineer in for presentation/info. The following PBMLP meeting will have a second design engineer in, at 3 PM on Tuesday, March 8.
Phil L. has researched the ONT box with vendors, discovering that a wireless installation can be problematic, and it’s better to wire into each house and resident can continue the wire or use their own router. He presented drawings to illustrate installations for different house types, with aerial and underground versions. At next meeting, policy on buried installations will be finalized.
5:45 PM Nina N. reported on assistant manager position and screening committee—down to two candidates.
Board voted all in favor to approve minutes of Feb. 16 including executive session (not to be released).
6 PM PBMLP Board voted to go into executive session: Edith made motion “To go into executive session under the provision of Ch. 30A, Sect. 21, Exemptions 2 & 10, To discuss non-union employee benefit/salary; and, trade secrets or confidential, competitively sensitive or other proprietary information, if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body and to adjourn and re-open in regular session.” and Jon F. seconded the motion. Stan M.. called for a vote and in roll call Edith voted “Aye,” Jon Voted “Aye” and Stan voted “Aye.”
SEE SEPARATE MINUTES
6:40 PM PBMLP Board voted to adjourn from Executive Session
Respectfully submitted, Marie N. Auger, administrative assistant
Marie Auger
Administrative Assistant
Planning Department
978-464-2100
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