Selectboard
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
December 13, 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.
John Mirick representing the Princeton Land Trust met with the board to present a Conservation Restriction to the Princeton Land Trust for land owned by Miliken and Fernado located on Worcester Road.
KC moved to approve the Milliken and Fernando Conservation Restriction. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Andrea Surabian met with the board to discuss the future of the Holiday Lighting Committee. It was noted that the committee does not post meetings or minutes and is perhaps more a working group that coordinates the holiday lighting on the Town Common. PG agreed that a working group under the Town Administrator would be more efficient.
KC moved to disband the Holiday Lighting Committee. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Holly Clemence of 177 Worcester Riad met with the board regarding the property at 171 Worcester. Holly expressed frustration at the lack of response to several complaints of unregistered vehicles at this residence as well as the mess in the backyard and the roof that is still in disrepair.
The board agreed to have the Building Inspector and Board of Health impose any and all fines that may be applicable as the owner has been notified several times regarding this matter.
Approval of Minutes
KC moved to approve the minutes of 11/29/2023 as amended RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Approval of Treasury Report -Warrant #12
KC moved to approve the Treasury Report for Warrant #12 as follows:
Payroll $134,254.92
Accounts Payable $234,384.12
Light Department $171,856.23
Total: $540,495.27
RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Public Comment
Tim Corcoran 29 Mountain Road stated that he heard the board did not want to continue PFAS Community Information Sessions. KC advised that the board did not want to continue PFAS
sessions until there was something new to report. KC and SP will be meeting with Attorney Fogel and LSP Jeff Arps to discuss when the session should be scheduled. KC stated that there are cost concerns, and that attendance has been spotty.
Holly Burgess 42 Sam Cobb Lane stated that there error on the Assessors web page and that the date is incorrect and could have a material impact. Holly also expressed concern regarding allocation for grant funds when several projects are not complete such as the Master Plan. Holly urged more oversight.
Appointments
KC moved to appoint Melissa Hawthorne to the position of Treasurer/Collector effective 1/1/2024. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
KC moved to appoint Kolette Carleton to the position of Asst. Treasurer/Collector effective 1/1/2024. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
KC moved to appoint Ken Knowles and Melissa Dexter as Election Officers. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0/
KC moved to appoint Diana Gubber Markley Animal Inspector. Term to 4/1/2024. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
New Business
The board agreed to include the survey regarding potential Regional Trash & Recycling options in the 2024 Annual Census.
KC reviewed the Selectboard Remote Participation Policy. KC advised that the policy allows for remote participation at meetings. KC stated that is was recently brought to her attention that the Ecotourism Committee was planning on holding a meeting at a private residence. This would be in violation of the open Meeting that provides that meeting must be held in a publicly accessible building and ADA compliant. KC feels that requiring all meetings to be remote participate is important and noted that there has been an increase in public participation in meetings since meetings have been hybrid. RC noted that some committees struggle with how to set up the remote meetings and need IT guidance. PG suggested encouraging remote meetings, but not requiring it.
KC moved to approve the following Driveway Permits:
157 Ball Hill Rd.
44 Beaman Rd.
48 Beaman Rd.
52 Beaman Rd.
63 Calamint Hill Rd. S.
2 Isaacs Way
Old Colony Rd. (PMLD #39)
11 Rhodes Rd.
206 Westminster Rd.
208 Westminster Rd.
RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
KC noted that the Permits have been reviewed and approved by the Highway Superintendent. The board agreed to amend the bylaws at the Annual Town Meeting to reflect that final approval is by the Highway Superintendent.
No action taken. Review and Approve Request For Quotes for Grant Writer Consultant Services. Draft RFQ in progress.
No action taken. Vote to Allocate ARPA Funds for Grant Writer Consultant Services.
Schedule 2024 Annual Town Meeting
Annual Town Meeting tentatively scheduled per bylaws date on May 14, 2024 at 7PM. MGL Allows the board to change the date by vote of the Selectboard.
Annual Town Election
No action taken. Tentatively scheduled per town bylaws on May 13, 2024 from 12PM to 8PM.
Correspondence and Communications
PG advised that he received an email from Steve Jones regarding leaf blower noise.
Flag Policy
RC doesn’t feel the policy should be approved in perpetuity and that it should allow requests to the selectboard for discussion and approval. KC stated that the board can revisit the policy at any time. PG suggested approving just the U.S. , Commonwealth, MIA and Town flags at this time and revisiting the policy after the MMA seminar on flag flying. KC moved to approve the Flag Policy as revised (to include only U.S., Commonwealth, MIA and Town Flag). RC 2nd. Voted 3-0. The board will attend the MMA Workshop on Flag Flying and revisit the policy after the meeting.
Mechanics Hall RFP
The board discussed revising the RFP to include that the building can be moved to also to allow for mixed use at the location.
KC moved to approve the Mechanics Hall RFP as revised. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Grant Opportunities and Status of Existing Grants
SP advised the board of a regional Mass Trails Grant opportunity through the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission. In order to be included the town would have to commit to providing $1,000 if the grant is funded.
SP advised that she recently had a meeting with the grant coordinator regarding the DER Culvert Replacement grant. He advised that the town is in a good position to move the Ball Hill Road culvert replacement project forward. He advised that having the town match in place when the application is submitted would help to strengthen the application. SP asked the board to consider allocating $80,000 from the ARAP fund for the match. The grant application is due in March and the funds would only be used if the grant is awarded.
SP advised that the Town was recently awarded an MHP Technical Assistance Grant for $18,000. The grant will provide technical assistance from CMRPC to address Chapter 40 A, Section 3A requirements (MBTA Communities).
Town Administrator Report
SP advised that 3 quotes were received for engineering on Sam Cobb Lane. The quotes are currently under review by the Highway Superintendent. SP advised that the final design and bid documents for the Worcester Road Project are complete and they are working on scheduling a date for bidding with engineer. SP is working with the Highway Superintendent to update the 5-year Road Plan. A joint meeting of the Advisory Committee and Selectboard for presentation of the FY 25 Capital Plan is scheduled for January 9th at 6:30 PM. SP reported that the well pump at the Thomas Prince School failed and had to be replaced last week. The pump was over 30 years old. We were able to replace the pump without any disruption to the school schedule. Costs include replacement of the pump, tanking in water during the repair and oversight by the PWS operator including reporting to DEP. The final cost is probably under $10k. We have not received all the invoices yet.
Selectboard Reports
PG attended the Ecotourism Committee kick-off meeting. PG advised the group of the importance of including ecological and economic strategies in the plan. KC advised that she is working on scheduling a Public Safety Building Committee in January. KC is also working on updating the Projects page on the website.
Adjournment
KC moved to adjourn the meeting. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:29 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sherry Patch
Town Administrator