Selectboard

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

April 26, 2023

Town Hall Annex & Virtual Via GoToMeeting

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

Call to Order

KC called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM.

Approval of Minutes

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

KC moved to approve the minutes of 4/6/2023 as amended. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC: aye; RB: aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

Approval of Treasury Report

KC moved to approve Warrant # 21 as follows:

Payroll $144,583.85

AP $343,518.46

PMLD $ 94,154.92

Total: $582,257.29

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

KC moved to approve Warrant # 22 as follows:

Payroll $109,849.89

AP $153,564.73

PMLD $170,169.28

Total $433,583.90

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

Public Comment

Phil Gott asked where the election is being held. Mr. Gott noted that the sign says at the Town Hall Annex. The Highway Superintendent will correct the sign to say that the Annual Town Election is being held at the Thomas Prince School.

Appointments

KC moved to appoint Forest Finkler to the Advisory Committee. Term to expire:6/30/2025. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC: aye; RB: aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

KC moved to appoint Melissa Hawthorne, Asst. Treasurer/Collector. Term to expire 6/3026. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC: aye; RB: aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

KC moved to appoint Richard McKay as an Election Worker. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC: aye; RB: aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

KC moved to appoint Paul Patriarca as Constable. RC2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC: aye; RC: aye. Voted 2-0.

Film Permit Application

KC moved to approve North Letters, LLC Film Permit as requested.

Note: Filming is on private property. Highway Supt, Police and Fire Chiefs approve. A detail officer has been assigned.

Temporary Sign Placement Request

KC moved to approve the temporary sign placement as requested by the Wachusett Garden Club. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC: aye; RB: aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

Joint Meeting Advisory Committee & Selectboard

KC advised that there will be a joint meeting of the Advisory Committee and Selectboard on May 2nd at 6:30 PM on the FY 24 Police/Fire/EMS Budget Requests. Chief Bennett is unable to attend but will submit a detailed report regarding the Fire EMS budget requests. The meeting will be recorded.

Public Hearing

• At 9:15 AM, a Public Hearing was held on the application of Cork & Windsor, LLC d/b/a Mountainside Café & Bakery for Alteration of their Licensed Premise. KC read the legal notice. Owner Katherine Huck was present and gave a brief summary of the changes to the original application. The revised request includes the front lawn area, main house, and carriage house. Ms. Huck advised that many of the concerns expressed are addressed in the lease agreement with DCR. Any event over 200 patrons require approval by the state and a special permit. Events must be over by 10PM. Ms. Huck advised that she met with the Planning Board, and they have recommended additional conditions to the license. KC read the Planning Board recommendations as follows:
• Compliance with all lease provisions.
• Mountainside applies for annual renewal of the license, the Town require disclosure of any amendments to the lease, and that the Town review those amendments for any impact on the Licensed Premises, and particularly to those lease provisions noted above (see report dated 4/20/2023).
• Mountainside to notify the Town Administrator at least 14 days in advance of outdoor events.
• Mountainside to delineate the area within which alcohol can be served and consumed.
• The Planning Board recommends that the Town consider installing “No Parking” signs on the easterly side of Mountain Road, and the westerly side of Mountain Road from the mid-point of the front lawn to the driveway access for 227 Mountain Road.
• The Planning Board recommends any outdoor lighting in connection with events be directed downward and inward, and be off by 10:00 PM, unless on motion sensors.
• The Planning Board recommends that, as a condition of the license, Mountainside be required to provide portable restrooms for outdoor events with sufficient capacity to comply with any applicable state Code or Board of Health regulations.

KC opened the hearing up for public comment. Phil Gott stated that the Mountainside Café is a great asset to the Town and should be supported.

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

KC moved to approve the application for Alteration of Licenses with the conditions previously stated. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC: aye; RB: aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

Discussion Regarding use of ARPA Funds

The board discussed use of ARPA funds for final design and bid documents for the Public Safety Building. RC expressed concern regarding the use of ARPA funds. RC stated that he would be more comfortable using the funds for a grant match. KC stated that residents clearly expressed a desire to use ARPA funds for the Public Safety Building. KC stated that if we use ARPA funds to pay for Capital requests this year, they won’t be available when we need them. KC advised that legislation is being proposed on the state and federal level for Public Safety Buildings and that this is the right time to be ready with a shovel ready project. Phil Gott stated that the Public Safety Building is both an insurance and an investment. The Town needs more revenue generating housing and commercial businesses. We need to show owners that the community insurance. Phil stated that he met with Senator Gobi’s aid last week who discussed a bill that is in the senate that will help to provide funding for public safety buildings and is modeled after the MSBA school building program. RB asked if the use of ARPA funds for capital and move Free Cash to the Public Safety Building. KC stated that Free Cash could be moved after it is certified in the Fall.

FY 24 State Earmark Request

The board discussed possible state earmarks for FY 24. Senator Gobi’s office has contacted the town. This year there are four funding categories. The board will request a $100K earmark for FY 24 to help with PFA’s costs.

Police Department Comfort Dog Proposal

This matter was taken under advisement until 5/3. SP will ask Chief Patriarca and/or Officer Doyle to attend the meeting for further discussion.

KC moved to approve Princeton Fire & EMT Association Request for Temporary Sign Placement May 7th-14th. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC: aye; RB: aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

FY 24 Selectboard/Department Planning Retreat

The board will hold a Strategic Planning Retreat on May 24th at 1:00 PM at the Town Hall Annex to discuss FY 24 goals with department heads.

Cemetery Deed Approval

KC moved to approve the cemetery deed for Thomas Tinory, 28 Willson Rd. Princeton for 1 Lot in North Cemetery. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC: aye; RB: aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

KC moved to approve the cemetery deed of James Smith - 323 Scott Rd. Oakham for 1 Lot in Woodlawn Cemetery. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC: aye; RB: aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

Correspondence/Communications

The board acknowledged receipt of several emails regarding the use of ARPA funds for the new Public Safety Building design and construction documents.

Bid Awards

KC moved to award the bid for the Princeton Fire Station #2 Parking Lot Resurfacing

to The Hatch Group and to authorize the Town Administrator to execute the contract documents. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC: aye; RB: aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

KC moved to award the lease for two Police Cruisers to Community Leasing Partners. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC: aye; RB: aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

Grant Opportunities and Status of Existing Grants

KC moved to authorize the Town Administrator to Execute the Municipal Pavement Project Agreement. RC 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC: aye; RB: aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0. This grant is for Resurfacing & Related Work on Rt. 140. The estimated Project cost is $460,000.

KC noted that the Town has received Municipal Small Bridge Grant for design work for replacement of the bridge on Hobbs Road over Keyes Brook. VHB Engineering will be doing the design and MassDOT will pay all associated costs.

FY 24 Rural and Small-Town Development Grant Fund

The board discussed applying for a Rural and Small-Town Grant for final design and bid documents for the Public Safety Building. Funding of up to $500,000 is available. The applications are due by 6/2/2023. SP will work on putting the application together.

Town Administrator Reports

SP advised that she s working on bid specifications for the Thomas Prince Tank Replacement Project. The Invitation to Bid will go out next. The bid opening for the Brook Station Boylston Avenue Resurfacing Project is scheduled for tomorrow at 1:00 PM.

Selectboard Reports

RB noted that former Senator Harriet Chandler’s husband passed away recently. Board members will send sympathy cards.

RC would like to reorganize selectboard policies. RC noted that some do not exist. RC noted that we do not have policies for Boston Post Cane and criteria for the Annual Outstanding Citizen Award.

Executive Session

KC moved to enter into executive session to discuss strategy in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel (Fire Chief) pursuant to the provisions of; of G.L. c. 30A, §21, ¶3. The chair declared that discussing the same in open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the town. KC further moved to enter into Executive Session review and possibly approve minutes of a prior executive session called to discuss strategy with respect to litigation (PFAS) and (Adverse Possession) pursuant to the provisions of G.L. c. 30A, §21(a), ¶3. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: KC: aye; RB: aye; RC: aye. Voted 3-0.

KC announced that the board will not be returning to open session following the executive session.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:29 AM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sherry Patch

Town Administrator