Selectboard
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
August 9, 2023
Virtual Via GoToMeeting
Attending: Karen Cruise (KC), Robert Cumming (RC), Town Administrator Sherry Patch (SP)
Absent: Phil Gott (PG)
Call to Order
KC called the meeting to order at 3:00PM.
Approval of Minutes
KC moved to approve the minutes of 7/13/2023. RC 2nd. Voted 2-0
The minutes of 7/26/2023 were taken under advisement until 8/23 for review by the board.
Approval of Treasury Report Warrant #3
KC moved to approve Treasury Warrant # 3 as follows:
Payroll $137,510.51
Accounts Payable $862,809.35
Light Department $487,741.39
Total: $1,488,061.25
RC 2nd. Voted 2-0.
Public Comment
Helga Lyons commented on the FY 23 budget process. KC advised that board members are going to submit comments to SP for discussion at a later date. Helga reminded the board that the Budget Calendar starts this month and that the board should develop a balanced budget and issue a timely Selectboard report. Helga also stated that the Advisory Committee Report should be separate and emphasized the need for ongoing budget reporting. Holly Burgess stated that she feels that all board members were not well informed about the budget. Holly feels that true metrics need to be emphasized.
Appointments/Resignations
KC moved to approve the following as Election Officers term to 8/5/2024:
Mark Stewart
Richard McKay
James Stirewalt
Beverly Stewart
Greg Miranda
Frances Thomas
Lisa Farnsworth
Barbara Gates
Karen Pellegrini
Linda Albrecht
Lynne Grettum
RC 2nd. Voted 2-0. The appointments of Carolyn Nelson and Joyce Szerejko were taken under advisement for clarification of residency requirements.
KC moved to appoint Brian Keevan and Daeg Brenner to the Public Safety Building Committee for a term to 6/30/2026. RC 2nd. Voted 2-0. KC noted that one more at large position is remaining.
KC moved to appoint Kelly Aveni to the position of COA Admin Asst. & Program Assistant term to expire 6/30/2024. RC 2nd. Voted 2-0.
New Business
KC moved to approve the request for the Midstate Trail Running Event to be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023. RC 2nd. Voted 2-0.
KC moved to approve the of Sale of Lot (Woodlawn Cemetery) to Paul and Kathryn Fisk of Country Lane, Princeton. RC 2nd. Voted 2-0.
KC moved to approve Princeton Library Director’s request to dispose of a Surplus Desk. RC 2nd. Voted 2-0.
Correspondence/Communications
Notification from CMRPC was acknowledged regarding Delegate and Alternate appointments for FY 24. .
Correspondence from Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll was acknowledged regarding the town’s participation in the Community Compact program.
Selectboard Reports
KC advised that she is working on updating the Projects page on the website. RC advised that he is working on goals and will email them to SP.
Town Administrator Reports
SP recommended that the board adopt the IRS Mileage rate. The current rate that is listed in the town’s Personnel Policy is .40 cents per mile and has not been updated for quite some time. The current 2023 IRS rate is 65.5 cents per mile. KC moved to adopt the IRS Mileage Rate for reimbursement. RC 2nd. Voted 2-0.
SP discussed scheduling a Community Information Session on the Worcester Road Improvements Project. The board agreed to hold the Information Session on September 20th at 6:30 in the Town Hall Annex. Greg Russell from the engineering firm VHB will attend to present and answer questions regarding the project.
Executive Session
KC moved to enter into Executive Session to review and possibly approve minutes of a prior executive session called to discuss strategy with respect to litigation (PFAS) pursuant to the provisions of G.L. c. 30A, §21(a), ¶3, not to return to open session. RC 2nd. The following rollcall vote was recorded: RC aye; KC aye. Voted 2-0.
The meeting was adjourned to executive session at 3:26 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sherry Patch
Town Administrator