Selectboard
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
December 27, 2023
Town Hall Annex and 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
No action taken. Hold approval for next meeting.
Approval of Treasury Report #13
KC moved to approve Treasury Report -Warrant #13 as follows:
Payroll $153,048.33
Accounts Payable $164,298.52
Light Department $ 78,562.70
Total: $395,909.55
RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Public Comment
None
Appointments
KC moved to appoint Carl Soderberg to the Public Safety Building Committee. Term to 6/30/2026. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
KC moved to appoint Diana Gubber Markley to the Board of Health. Term to 6/30/2026. RC 2nd Voted 3-0.
KC moved to appoint Bill Dino to the Board of Health. Term to 6/30/2025. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
KC moved to appoint Katie Nault Alt. Board of Health member. Term to 6/30/2024. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
New Business
The board discussed use of ARPA Funds instead of holding a Special Town Meeting to fund the anticipated increase in the police budget due to the mid-year Police Union contract renewal. RC stated that this would not be consistent with the financial policies as it is not a one-time expense. KC stated that the contract was not in place at budget time. SP noted that any appropriation at this time would have to come from Free Cash or ARPA as the tax rate has been set. PG would like to give the Town an opportunity to weigh in as Public Safety is the largest budget increase. The board agreed to hold a Special Town Meeting to appropriate any additional funds needed for the police budget.
The board discussed Chief Patriarca’s request to hire an additional Police Officer. KC noted that the Chief has been working hard to recruit officers and that two are available with experience and academy training. KC noted that we have been spending a lot of money on overtime and that we are vulnerable to people leaving due to forced overtime and there are morale issues. We currently have one opening and two qualified candidates. Some savings in overtime are estimated and the Chief will not be adding the administrative position approved at ATM which will save $26K. PG stated that the current officers need a break, and the board needs to show that we are trying. PG suggested posting the Police Department and Fire Department statistics that the Chiefs have provided to show the residents how busy they are. No action was taken on this matter.
2024 Liquor License Renewals
KC moved to approve the 2024 annual liquor License renewals as follows:
HF Princeton Management, LLC
Innkeepers License All Kinds of Alcoholic Beverages to be drunk on premises
Barn Princeton LLC dba The Barn
Common Victualler All Kinds of Alcoholic Beverages to be drunk on premises
Cork & Windsor dba Mountainside Bakery & Café
Common Victualler All Kinds of Alcoholic Beverages to be drunk on premises
Nimrod League of Holden
Club License All Kinds of Alcoholic Beverages to be drunk on premises
Norco Sportsman’s Club, Inc
Club License All Kinds of Alcoholic Beverages to be drunk on premises
Wagg Group, LLC dba The Thirsty Lab
Retail Package Goods License All Kinds of Alcoholic Beverages NOT to be drunk on the premises.
Khodal Corporation dba Kwik Stop Convenience Store
Retail Package Goods License All Kinds of Alcoholic Beverages NOT to be drunk on the premises.
RC 2nd for discussion. RC questioned the hours of operations for some of the businesses. He said that they conflicted with State-specified hours in some cases. Terri Longtine noted that Sunday package store hours prohibit the sale of alcohol before 10AM and after 11PM. Terri advised the Selectboard as the local licensing authority may extend hours. RC stated that the days and hours of operation should be specified. Kwik Stop hours were corrected for no sales before 8AM
KC Moved to approve the licenses subject to the flowing changes: Kwik Stop license to Monday -Saturday from 8AM to 11PM and Sunday from 10AM to 11 PM. The Barn and Harrington Farm Monday through Saturday 8AM to 1AM and Sunday 10AM to 1AM. PG 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Approval of RFQ for Consultant Services-Grant Writer
KC moved to approve the Request For Quotes (RFQ) for Grant Writer Consultant Services. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
The board agreed to a budget figure of $10,000 for grant writer consultant services for the RFQ.
Correspondence and Communications
The board acknowledged receipt of a letter from MassDOT regarding the town’s Fair Share Apportionment for FY 24.
The board also acknowledged receiving an email from Terry Hart asking for board members to contact him. KC and PG reported reaching out without success.
Bid Awards
No action taken on the bid Award for Sam Cobb Lane Engineering. Hold for next meeting.
Grant Opportunities and Status of Existing Grants
KC moved to authorize moving forward with the Regional Trails Grant. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Town Administrator Report
SP reported that she is working on the Capital Plan with the Financial Team. Also working on RFPs for Mowing, Grant Writing Consultant and IT Consulting Services. SP also reminded Board of a joint meeting with the Trustees of Trust Funds on 1/10. KC reported receiving a write-up of the Trustees’ work and volunteered to post the vacancy on town news.
Selectboard Report
RC would like to consider expanding Driveway Permit approvals to include the Planning Board and Fire Department. RC will contact Ben Metcalf, Chief Bennett and John Mirick for further discussion.
RC reported on continued work with the Financial Team on the Capital Budget including preparations for the presentation to the selectboard and Advisory Committee on January 9th. KC requested that a town news be issued informing the public of this presentation.
RC would like to discuss posting communications addressed to more than one SB member to the Selectboard page on the website in the future. This will be added to a future agenda.
PG attended the Ecotourism Committee meeting. The committee elected a slate of officers. Members are going to have 1:1 discussion with stakeholders in the future.
PG also attended the Housing Implementation Committee meeting. The committee has invited various speakers to attend their meetings to learn more about what resources are available to them.
KC discussed things being dropped due to lack of response from members to requests for edits and revisions. Most recently to the updates to the Projects page. RC stated that he has difficulty navigating how to convert documents on his computer. PG has a mac and will help.
PG suggested holding a “Go To Meeting How to training” for new board and committee chairs. KC will coordinate the training.
Adjournment
KC moved to adjourn the meeting. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:59 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sherry Patch