Selectboard

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

March 8, 2023

Location: Town Hall Annex and Virtual Via GoToMeeting

Requested By: Karen Cruise

Attending: Karen Cruise (KC), Richard Bisk (RB), Robert Cumming (RC), Town Administrator Sherry Patch (SP)

Call to Order

Meeting called to order at 9:00 AM.

Approval of Minutes

KC moved to approve the minutes of 2/15/2023 as amended. RC 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC aye; RB aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

KC moved to approve the minutes of 2/22/2023 as amended. RC 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC aye; RB aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

Public Comment

RB discussed the purpose of the Board’s Public Participation Policy. A suggestion was made to have the public participation at the end of the meeting instead of the beginning to allow public participants an opportunity to comment on items that were discussed by the Board. RB noted that this was considered when the policy was put in place. At the time, SB members felt that residents might want to comment on an agenda item before any vote was taken and that by having the comment period at the beginning of the meeting, residents would not have to attend the entire meeting if they just wished to comment on a specific issue.

Appointments/Resignations

KC moved to appoint Joyce Anderson as an Alt. Historical Commission Member with a term ending 6/30/23. RC 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC aye; RB aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

KC moved to accept the resignation of Bryanna Weigel, Conservation Commission. RC 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC aye; RB aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

Public Hearing

A Public Hearing was held on the application by Mountainside Café for a Change of Premise liquor license. .KC Read the Legal Notice. KC moved to open the hearing. RC 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC aye; RB aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0. KC announced that the meeting is being adjourned until Wednesday, March 22nd at 9:15am in order to allow time for application review by the BOH, Fire, Building Inspector and Planning Board. KC moved to adjourn the hearing until March 22, 2023, at 9:15 AM. RC 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC aye; RB aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

Old Business

Housing Production Plan Implementation Committee charge has been approved by the Committee and approved by the Board. The charge will be posted on the website so that recruitment can begin.

SP advised the Board of an opportunity to participate in the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission’s DLTA project that will explore Zoning for Cottage Housing. The Board approved participation in the project if funded by CMRPC.

The Board discussed FY 24 Budget Priorities. KC advised that the Police, Fire and EMS budget requests reflect a 5% increase and a 5.7% increase over FY 23. RB noted that the statewide average tax bill is about $7000. Princeton’s is about $6,900. Others in the WRSD are similar with the exception of Rutland which is under $6000. He noted that we pay significantly more per pupil than Rutland towards the WRSD budget due to the state funding formula.. The Board discussed Chief Patriarca’s request to add a LT position and backfill the Sergeant position as well as add another patrol officer. KC noted that some priorities outlined in the MRI report centered around the need for attention to policies, procedures and record keeping. This might be achieved by hiring administrative help at a lower pay rate. RB expressed the need for data to support the request for an additional full-time officer. RC would support a Lieutenant position that would be out of the Union. RC feels that succession planning and leadership training are important.

Bob will be attending a Legislative Breakfast that includes a topic on creation of Public Safety Building Fund on a state level similar to the School Building Fund.

Discussed the need for a new Public Safety Building and the cost of not moving the project forward. KC advised that the roof at the Center School is failing. Should it be replaced in case we want to sell it, or just let it fall into disrepair? Should the building be taken down? RC has been doing some research on regionalization, and recently spoke with Zach Blake from the Department of Revenue’s Division of Local Services regarding regionalizing Fire and EMS services. Mr. Blake has authored several reports on regionalizing the services and has advised that it can be very challenging due to different union contracts and pay scales amongst many other things There is also still a need to maintain stations in town. RC stated another issue is giving up control of the budget. RC noted there has been some success in sharing Police and Fire Chiefs and costs for capital equipment. Only 1 of the 11 studies Mr. Blake authored led to some regionalization. RB noted that regionalization often leads to a loss of local control for Princeton, with WRSD and dispatch as two examples

KC stated that there is not enough time to consider a warrant article for the public safety building at the Annual Town Meeting, but would like to have a Fall Special Town Meeting. She felt that there was insufficient time to bring residents up to speed on the work of the Building Committee, the new design, and the updated cost estimate.

New Business

The Board received a request for us of ARPA Funding to pay the balance owed to Stryker for an electric cot for the ambulance. The request is for $22,600. The invoice was not submitted in time to receive CARES funding. KC moved to approve the request for funding. RC 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC aye; RB aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

The Board approved a Town Report Photo Contest for the 2022 Annual Town Report.

The Board discussed a Perambulator appointment. Brian Keevan has held the position in the past. The Perambulator is charged with finding the town’s border markers every 5 years. Position to be posted.

The Board discussed the 55 Mirick Road Barn Public Safety issue. KC moved to authorize the Building Inspector to enter the barn premises at 55 Mirick Road and to make it safe if he not satisfied that the owner is proceeding to do so with sufficient speed to ensure public safety. RC 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC aye; RB aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

Correspondence/Communications

SP reported on the Treasury Warrant # 18 as follows:

Payroll $116,908.81

AP $262,719.69

PMLD $132,119.41

Total $511,747.91

Town Administrator Reports

SP reported that there is currently a Snow and Ice deficit of $45,513.12.

Selectboard Reports

RB reported on the WRSD budget roundtable. The new administration is meeting with DESE and DOR regularly. Progress is being made. The FY 21 audit is not complete. No cash reconciliation or certification of the District’s E& D fund. Approximately $1.6 from revolving funds was used to offset the deficit. A meeting with the Advisory Committee and representatives from the district is scheduled for 3/28 at 6PM.

KC will prepare the 2022 Selectboard Annual Report for review.

SP will schedule a Community Information Session to discuss the Fire/EMS Report.

The Board requested that the Public Participation Policy be reviewed by Town Counsel.

The Board discussed the use of Town News by outside organizations and nonprofits. KC expressed concern over use of staff time and that outside organizations have other options, like social media, to communicate. The Board did not change their decision to keep Town News for Town Government.

Adjournment

KC moved to adjourn the meeting. RC 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC aye; RB aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

Meeting adjourned at 10:35 AM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sherry Patch

Town Administrator