Selectboard
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
November 1, 2023
Town Hall Annex & Virtual Via GoToMeeting
Attending: Karen Cruise (KC), Robert Cumming (RC), Phil Gott (PG), Town Administrator Sherry Patch (SP)
Call to Order
Meeting called to order to order at 3:00 PM.
Approval of Minutes
KC moved to approve the minutes of the meeting dated 10/16/2023. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
KC moved to approve the minutes of the meeting dated 10/18/2023. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
KC moved to approve the minutes of the meeting dated10/26/2023. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Approval of Treasury Warrant
KC moved to approve Treasury Warrant #9 as follows:
Payroll: $157,885.89
Accounts Payable $261,958.44
Light Department: $221,052.47
Total: $640,896.80 RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Public Comment
None
Appointments
KC moved to appoint Alissa Horsung to the position of Town Clerk. Term expires 6/30/2026. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
KC moved to appoint the following to the Ecotourism Committee term to expire 6/30/2024.
Martin Sterman
Victoria Hawks
Susan Downing
Richard Bisk (EAC Rep – nonvoting)
Susan Connell
Phil Gott (Selectboard Rep- nonvoting)
RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
KC moved to appoint Jennifer Shenk to the Housing Implementation Committee. Term expires 6/30/2025. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
New Business
KC moved to approve the Princeton Arts Society Temporary Sign placement at the Town Common, Thomas Prince School and East Princeton roundabout. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
The board acknowledged receipt of correspondence from Chief Patriarca regarding his request for officer recognition for outstanding service involving their exceptional responses to recent incidents in town. The board agreed that the employee volunteer recognition event would be the proper venue for recognition.
The board discussed appropriating additional funds from ARPA the ARPA fund due to increased costs and to allow employees and volunteers to have their spouses attend the event.
KC moved to authorize $1200 from the ARPA Fund for the Employee and Volunteer Recognition Event on November 15th. RC. Voted 3-0.
Correspondence and Communications
Susan Shipman, Friends of the Princeton Public Library Sign Request
KC moved to approve the Friends of the Princeton Public Library temporary sign placement at the Town Common, Thomas Prince School and East Princeton roundabout. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Old Business
The board discussed the revised Request for Proposals for sale redevelopment of Mechanics Hall. RC would like to simplify the point scale and hold off for a couple more weeks. RC has discussed the property with Doung Andrysick who advised that it is approved for two bedrooms. Doug will review to see if it could be expanded. KC would like to see the property remain commercial. RC stated that there is a need for affordable housing. Discussed possibly raising the building and working with developers on a commercial project if no bids are received. No action was taken.
The board discussed the revised Flag Policy. RC will incorporate edits into a final document for review.
Bid Awards
KC moved to award the bid for the Highway Department Truck Lift to Tool & Equipment Connection, Inc for $12,755.26 and to authorize the Town Administrator to execute the contract documents. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Grant Opportunities and Status of Existing Grants
SP advised that an application for was submitted under DCR Salt Reduction grant program for just under $40,000 for Road Temperature Sensors and Flexible Plow Blades. If funded, the grant will pay 50% reimbursable costs.
Town Administrator Report
SP reported that she attended STAM Meeting on October 26th regarding Proposition 2 ½ and Campaign Finance Law. SP also advised that she completed the HR Supervisory Leadership Program sponsored by UMASS Boston and the Collins Center last week.
Selectboard Report
PG advised that he met with Chief Patriarca last week to discuss metrics for the department. KC noted that overtime is high as there are not as part-time officers. PG advised that there is a lot of forced overtime and that he is concerned about burnout. KC stated that metrics that include shift coverage by part-time officers and overtime will be helpful. KC stated that data from speed radar signs doesn’t show if we are solving the speeding problem. Tracking accidents and access to accident data may provide more insight. KC will work with Chief Bennett on IMC data RC reported that he reached out to former members of the Road Advisory Committee to discuss their view on the need for a Road Advisory Committee. Some expressed continued need while others did not see the need any longer. KC advised that Ben and Sherry have picked up a lot of the responsibilities including grant writing. SP advised that she and Ben will be working with Lar Greene and Peter Giumette on updating the 10-year road plan. Discussed whether or not there is a need to expand the Board of Health. The board will review services that can be provided by the Montachusett Public Health Network. There was also some discussion regarding a shared Health Agent.
Executive Session
KC moved to enter into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the government’s bargaining position the chair so declares. The chair so declared. Pursuant to the provisions of; of G.L. c. 30A, §21, ¶3. (Fire Chief Contract Renewal Negotiations) and also to review and possibly approve minutes of a prior executive session with respect to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the government’s bargaining position. Pursuant to the provisions of G.L. c. 30A, §21, ¶3. (Police Union Negotiations)
The chair announced that the meeting will not reconvene in open session.
Meeting adjourned at 4:31 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sherry Patch
Town Administrator