Town of Princeton, Mass. – May 25, 2016 – 5:00 PM
Meeting Minutes - Princeton Broadband Municipal Light Plant (PBMLP)
5:04 PM Meeting opened with PBMLP members Stan Moss, Edie Morgan, Jon Fudeman, Nina Nazarian, Marty Dell’Erba, John Kowaleski, Phil O’Brien, Toby Renzoni from LINX Associates, Inc., Jim Whitman & Brian Allen from PMLD, and residents.
Approve minutes
The PBMLP voted 3-0 to approve the meeting minutes of May 12th on a motion by Edie, second by Stan.
Authorize any payments required
None, however discussion on approved and spent amounts.
Public Comment
Brian Allen asked if there were any questions for the estimate which was sent out yesterday. Stan said that he didn’t have any questions. Brian said that PMLD needs a Notice of Award from the PBMLP. Jim Whitman mentioned that this company was a company that PMLD has never worked with, but they were the lowest bidder. Marty mentioned that it was his understanding that this company has completed municipal work. Brian confirmed that they had good references.
Brian mentioned that he was concerned with all the comments which PMLD was hearing about the comparisons to the wind turbine project. He explained the history of the project and how there were consultants who had provided projections which did not come true. He said the most important issue that PMLD has learned is that there is a Plan B with a large project.
Marty stated that the low bidder is going to positively influence the project budget, as it is lower than estimated. Brian Allen confirmed. Brian reviewed the differences between the original estimate and the updated estimate. Both were estimates. 148 poles and 78 anchors, project estimate is ~$120k lower. Plus 93 pole adjustments.
Jim Whitman reminded the MLP that Brian Allen’s priority is to make sure the residents of Princeton that have electricity.
Chris Conway asked if this meeting was being recorded, the MLP promised to announce the recording moving forward.
Jim Whitman mentioned that the Verizon strike is unknown as far as impacts to the project. John K. said that Verizon is obligated to complete their work, strike or not.
Engineering Design firm recommendation/discussion
Toby reviewed the engineering proposal for Design and Engineering summary on behalf of LINX Associates, Inc. He indicated that Firm #2 was identified as the most adventurous firm.
The Board voted 3-0 on a motion by Stan to authorize the TA and the Asst. Manager to enter into negotiations with Firm #2 as recommended by LINX Associates, Inc., Edie second.
Continue Discussion on Special Town Meeting (if desired)
No discussion on STM.
Updates or Correspondence
• Home Sales Values Correspondence
Michael Cote explained that he went through an analysis to review Princeton and Sterling on home values. We have heard a lot from realtors that home values are depressed. Wanted to see if there was hard data to see if that could be backed up. Looking at sales (actual transactions) and square footage, taking into consideration that the sale value is 90% on the home and 10% on the land. Found that Sterling is selling at a 17% premium than that over Princeton. If we brought Broadband into Town that means that the homeowner would immediately reap a $64,000 increase in value, for the average valued house. He stated that this would provide for home equity. Stan mentioned that market value according to the Assessors should not affect your assessed value. Chris Conway questioned the statement
suggesting that the two matters are linked, further discussion continued. He also said that 17% was a very high number to be suggesting
Harry Strock of 184 Mountain Road explained that he completed a similar analysis. From 2011 to 2016, to see the trending i.e. where the buyers are going, don’t know how much is broadband, how much is by square foot. Found the information on Movot.com. Sterling, Paxton, Rutland and Holden, there is a seasonal variation for when they come out of the market, comparing June to November. When you take 5 years’ worth of information, there should be some sort of trend line behavior. When you look at Princeton, the Town is going down 2.2% per year; it’s an 11% decline over 5 years. For the other towns, all the others are increasing. Over 5 years, Holden has increased by 44%. This information is based on listing price, not sales price.
Sales price on average appears to be 10% lower. Not sure it’s broadband, but sees clearly that there is a trend line of declining home values in Princeton, and it needs to be addressed in his opinion. Mr. Strock mentioned the Fiber to the Home Council, and the work they have done to demonstrate that fiber increases value. Mr. Strock emphasized that property values need to be considered and encouraged that Jon Fudeman makes sure that the Risk Analysis include data about home values. Jon mentioned that it was already considered. Edie confirmed that this was such an important
Chris Conway explained that he is not against the project he is against the taxpayers being impacted.
Bill Dino mentioned that the only reason that their children are not purchasing in Princeton is because we do not have high speed internet.
Darcy Rohl, there were a group of folks who went to the TPS school for the STEAM fair and explained that the number of students who attend the TPS, would love to move to Princeton, but cannot since we do not have high speed internet.
Michael Cote described another analysis he completed regarding the average age of population. Average age of US between 2000 and 2010, went up from 33 to 35, we are an aging populations. Sterling, Westminster, Hubbardston, 35 to 37, but in Princeton went from 37 to 48. At the same time, the number of children dropped 18%.
Jimmy O’Coin, doesn’t think that anyone in this room is against broadband, does not believe the conversation should be about bringing broadband to town, but how we are going to do it (town served system, private, wireless).
Jon Fudeman asked Michael Cote who the internet provider was in Sterling. Comcast was responded to being the internet service provider.
• Review & approve letter to Peter Larkin
Stan mentioned the letter which was sent to Mr. Peter Larkin.
• Other
Marty mentioned that he finally did receive a response from the MBI from Dave Charbonneau, who is the technical director. Every week Marty updates the MBI with updates about Princeton. The MBI explained that there is new leadership, and they are assessing each town, but that Dave is about to give his recommendation to the leadership what Princeton should do. Marty has studied the communication with Comcast for the last several years. Marty had not received an official contact at Comcast from the MBI, and therefore contacted Alicia Matthews, Senior Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs. Marty shared the communication received from Ms. Matthews. He explained that he spoke with the Town of Sterling. He reported that he has really only
received one complaint regarding Comcast, specifically a one customer issue ____________. The TA admitted that he is a bit isolated from the day-to-day, but gave some contact information to committee members who might have additional information. Marty will contact them. We have received other correspondence, some were in favor of the FTTH by the town, others stated that the Board of Selectmen should take on a contract with Comcast.
Discussion with Chris Trudeau
Jon brought up the Risk Analysis and said that he would be prepared to discuss it at the next meeting. Wayne Adams, Jimmy O’Coin, Richard Chase, Gary Langivan, and Steve Cullen were involved.
Stan brought up the Last Mile Program Update, May 10, 2016 by the MBI and asked if we could place it up on the websites.
Phil O’Brien mentioned that are 480 subscribers so far.
New Business
None
Old Business
None
6:20 PM The MLP voted 3-0 on a motion by Stan, second by Edie enter into executive session, in accordance with M.G.L. c. 30A, §21, Exemption Ten – To discuss trade secrets or confidential, competitively-sensitive or other proprietary information – Marketing, only to adjourn. Stan called for a vote and in roll call Edith voted “Aye,” Jon voted “Aye” and Stan voted “Aye.”
Selectmen decided no issue was pending for Executive Session so did not continue the action
6:25 PM Meeting fully adjourned.
Respectfully submitted, Nina Nazarian, Town Administrator
PBMLP referenced documents or correspondence: Home Sales Values Correspondence by Mr. Michael Cote and Letter sent to Mr. Peter Larking, MBI
Minutes Approved on ___June 1, 2016_
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