Selectboard
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
January 10, 2024
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
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 PM.
Approval of Minutes
KC moved to approve the minutes of 12/13/2023 as amended. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
KC moved to approve the minutes of 12/27/2023 as amended. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Approval of Treasury Report -Warrant #14
KC moved to approve Treasury Report #14 as follows:
Payroll: $131,673.79
Accounts Payable: $163,965.91
Light Department: $161,873.97
Total: $457,513.67
RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Public Comment
None
Appointments
KC moved to appoint Douglas Costa to the position of Police Officer (full-time) for the Town of Princeton. Term to 6/30/2024. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
New Business
The board discussed the Union negotiation process with regard to the Memorandum of Agreement for a New Collective Bargaining Agreement OA Between the Town and Princeton Police Association Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 044. RC noted that he took over mid-stream in the process from former selectboard member Richy Bisk. RC noted that the process was long and drawn out. PG stated that he would like to work towards a smoother process for the next negotiations. Peter Giumette stated that the Town process went smoothly, that there were some issues with the Union. The board noted that the Chief will now have tools for recruiting and retaining Officers. KC moved to approve the Memorandum of Agreement for a New Collective Bargaining Agreement OA Between the Town and Princeton Police Association Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 044. RC 2nd. Voted 2-1 (RC).
Board of Health Special Municipal Employee Designation
SP advised that Board of Health Chair Lar Greene’s engineering firm, McCarty Engineering has submitted a proposal for consulting services for the Sam Cobb Road Improvements Project. This requires the designation as he has a financial interest in the contract KC moved to designate the Board of Health as Special Municipal Employees. RC 2nd. Voted 2-0-1 (PG abstained).
Schedule a Special Town Meeting
The board tentatively scheduled a Special Town Meeting for March 11, 2024 at 6:30 pm at the Thomas Prince School to fund the FY 24 Police Department budget shortfall due to the new Police Union Agreement.
Update/Reallocate ARPA Funds
No action taken. The Town Administrator is working on updating the account balances with the Town Accountant.
KC moved to accept MGL Chapter 138. S. 33 for On Premise Alcohol Sales on Sunday Between the hours of 10:00 AM and 12:00 Noon. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Correspondence and Communications
PG noted a nice email he received from Holly Burgess regarding the Capital Presentation.
Discussion Regarding adding a Full-time Police Officer
Chief Patriarca presented his proposal for adding an additional full-time Officer this fiscal year. Chief Patriarca noted that he received two qualified candidates who are academy trained. It was noted that if approved, the increase in the FY 25 budget would be 1.68% and that the overtime budget would be reduced from $100K to $50K. KC noted that there have been issues with recruiting and retaining officers, as well as morale issues within the department due to forced overtime. PG stated that there would be a cost for not taking this opportunity at this time in overtime costs. RC expressed concern over impacts to the FY 25 budget. RC stated that he doesn’t have enough information at this time. KC moved to approve hiring an additional officer and to use ARPA funds to provide the additional costs. RC 2nd. Voted 2-0-1 abstain (RC).
Bid Awards
KC moved to award the contract for engineering for the Sam Cobb Lane Road Improvements Project to McCarty Engineering Inc. and to authorize the Town Administrator to execute the contract documents. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
KC moved to award the bid for Electrical Work to the PFAS Shed on Mountain Road to Patrick M. Joyce Electric. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Grant Opportunities and Status of Existing Grants
Open Space Committee member, Deb Cary met with the board to discuss an opportunity to apply for grant funding for accessible trails at the Thomas Prince School under the Mass Trails Grant Program. If funded the grant will provide funding for Consultant Services for Planning and Design for the project. Applications are due February 1st. CMRPC has offered to assist with the grant application. The grant is a reimbursement grant a 20% match is required and can be in kind services, cash or a combination. Deb noted that the project is supported locally by the school, Mass Audubon, and Open Space Committee. KC moved to authorize the Town Administrator to submit a Mass Trails Grant on behalf of the Town. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Selectboard Report
The board discussed the Fire and Police metrics that were established. PG advised that he submitted an excel spreadsheet for use by the chiefs. However, Chief Bennett continues to submit letters and we are looking for numbers. PG also reviewed the Scope of Work for the
Weatherization Study which needed clarification on deliverables. RC is working on a Communications Policy. RC commented on the Capital Plan stating that he is frustrated with placeholders that are not needed. KC stated that there were no questions from Department Heads or boards at the Capital presentation or discussion by the Advisory Committee.
KC would like to schedule a board and committee chair breakfast for February 29th at 8:00 AM.
PG Noted that the Police and Fire metric reports should be posted on the website quarterly.
Adjournment
KC moved to adjourn the meeting. RC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:58 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sherry Patch,
Town Administrator