Housing Implementation Committee Meeting: September 10, 2025

Attendance

Present

• Online (GoToMeeting): Molly Kaviar (Chair) Phil Gott (Selectboard), Jennifer Shenk, Carla Zottoli
• In Person (Annex, small room):  Ann Neuburg, Richy Bisk, Vice Chair Barbara Guthrie (Council on Aging), Deb Cary

Call to Order

9:03 am

Administrative

Minutes

8/13

• Carla: Motion to approve the minutes of 8/13 as presented.
• Richy: Second
• Vote: unanimous “Aye”

Important Stuff

Congratulations Molly Kaviar!

Discussions

PHIC WebPage

The new web page platform will be much different than the existing one. The new platform complies with regulations that require searchability (no PDFs).

Richy and Ann met with Karen Cruise who is managing the migration to the new platform. Karen recommended that instead of creating an outline for members to review, she would plug the information she’d already received into the draft PHIC page so members could see how the page works:

https://princeton-ma.proudcity.com/departments/housing-implementation-committee/

Ann will continue to work on Housing Bylaw FAQs and Molly will work on Understanding ADUs.

Comments/questions:

• The link between the Production Plan and PHIC should be expressly described. Residents should understand that PHIC is working to implement a plan created based on their input.
• The button labeled “Map Resources” should be re-named “Research Your Property”
• Can we have pictures?
• Other formatting amenities?
• We need more about senior housing

To do:

Everyone, in order not to have Karen receive input from all committee members, please send content and questions to Ann and Molly, who will batch them up and send them on to Karen.

Other Topics

EAC Round Table

Molly reported that Environmental Action Committee (EAC) will host a round table/brainstorming session for actions the town should take to mitigate climate change

Monday, October 6

7:00 pm at the Senior Center

Properties for sale

Discussion of proposed subdivision on Hobbs Road.

Planning Board representation

Molly will ask PB for a representative again with the added info that the commitment may be as little as 1 hourlong Zoom meeting per month.

Interesting projects in other towns

Carla reported that Worcester has a project to build 4 tiny prefab houses, on Claremont Street specifically to house homeless seniors.

30 Mountain Road

Deb reiterated that town-owned parcels are key to attracting funding. What about 30 Mountain Road once the lawsuits have completed?

Phil reported that the suit is in the discovery phase.

Mechanics Hall

Richy reported on the confusion surrounding what was approved by DCR. The approval was given in 2022 and has expired. The approval was for a waiver to exceed DCR’s maximum septic discharge at 22 gallons per day per acre.

Phil opined that re-using the site is still probably cheaper than building from scratch, and since the variance was granted once, it could be again.

Carla thought it could be a great doctor’s office or small urgent care.

Deb noted that there is a public right of way to the left of Qwik Stop that could be used to access the uplands for development.

Wachusett House

Deb escorted Andy Howarth, Director at Worcester Community Housing Resources  (https://www.wchr.org/home) around Princeton, including Wachusett House.

Dingman Park abuts Wachusett House. Is it possible to rebuild the old inn (the foundation is still there) as senior housing?

Town land and tax title parcels

Molly: who determines how town land is used?

Phil: Selectboard

Deb: is tax title acquisition a way for the town to get land?

Phil: No, the rules have changed and now the landowner gets everything except for what is owed.

Next Meeting

Wednesday, October 9, 9:00 am

Adjourn

• Deb: Motion to adjourn
• Molly: Second.
• Vote: unanimous aye
• Adjourn at 10:05

Submitted by

Ann Neuburg