Selectboard Meeting: June 11, 2025

Selectboard Meeting

Wednesday, June 11, 2025  

Minutes

Attending: Robert Cumming (RC), Karen Cruise (KC), Philip Gott (PG), Sherry Patch (SP)

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 3:06 PM.

Presentation Marc Granto CMRPC Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

Marc Granto and Shannon Sullivan planners from the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission presented the updated Hazard Mitigation Plan.  Marc advised that the town is mandated to update the plan every five years. Once approved by MEMA/FEMA the plan opens up grant opportunities for funding projects outlined in the plan.  Marc will submit a copy of the draft and an executive summary for posting on the town website for public comment and feedback, which will be incorporated prior to submitting the plan to MEMA/FEMA for approval.

Princeton Arts Society, Jean Strock & Judy Dino

Princeton Arts Society members Judy Dino and Jean Strock met with the board to request that the board consider reducing the rental fee for the Small Works & Holiday Marketplace event at the Sr. Center/Community Center.  Judy advised that in the past the fee has been $600 for the event, which takes place over two weekends.  However, with the new fee schedule the event could cost about $1200.  Judy noted that the event brings in people from the area who use town amenities.  PG stated that fee structure is based on town costs and that the rooms are not available for other activities during the two weeks that the Arts Society is there and that this is disruptive.  PG stated that he recalls two weeks of boxes of materials left at the Center.  Peter Giumettee asked if the Arts Society receives commission from the sales at the event.  Judy advised that they receive a 15% commission on sales under  $50 and a 20% commission on sales over $50.  KC asked if the Arts Society has a fee proposal. Jean Strock stated $900-$1000.for the winter show.  Judy Dino suggested $450 for the spring show.  RC stated that he would like to take this matter under advisement. KC stated that she is open to reducing the set up and take down fees.  PG stated that this is the opposite tactic as the Council on Aging complains about the storage and reducing the fee will encourage it.  Jean stated that she would like to talk to the director about this as they never heard of any complaints.  KC stated that she would like to see more use of the center but doesn’t want a preferential program. The matter was taken under advisement.  The board will decide sometime in July.

Approval of Minutes

RC moved to approve the minutes of 5/28/2025. KC 2^nd.  Voted 3-0.

Approval of Treasury Report -Warrant # 24

RC moved to approve the Treasury Report for Warrant # 24 as follows:

Payroll:                                   $152,896.76

Accounts Payable:               $  90,349.72

Light Department:                $  98,663.31

Total:                                      $341,909.49

KC 2^nd.  Voted 3-0.

Public Comment

Ron Curry 18 Mountain Road thanked the board and Karen Cruise for allowing the use of Town News for announcements regarding community events.  Ron stated that a recent concert was well attended, and people stated that they heard about the event via town news.

Fay Baird 16 Boylston Avenue asked if there is a timeline for demolition of the Center School. KC advised that there is no date yet that the town has completed the Hazardous Waste Study and that the consultant is preparing the bid package for removal of any hazardous waste.

FY 26 Appointments

Council On Aging

RC moved to appoint Jane Guimette and Barbara Guthrie to the Council on Aging.  Term to 6/30/2028.KC 2^nd.  Voted 3-0.

Conservation Commission

RC moved to appoint Holly Palmgren and Jennifer Vuona to the Conservation Commission.  Term to 6/30/2028.  KC 2^nd.  Voted 3-0.

Environmental Action Committee

RC moved to appoint Richard Bisk, Claire Golding and Corey Burnham Howard to the Environmental Action Committee.  Term to 6/30/2028.  KC 2^nd. Voted 3-0.

RC moved to appoint Mark Horeanopoulos Associate Member Environmental Action Committee.  Term to 6/30/2026. KC 2^nd.  Voted 3-0.

Parks & Recreation Committee

RC moved to appoint Addison Barwise to the Parks & Recreation Committee.  Term to 6/30/2026.  KC 2^nd Voted 3-0.

RC moved to appoint Ed Harley to the Parks & Recreation Committee.  Term to: 6/30/2028.  KC 2^nd.  Voted 3-0.

Planning Board Alt.

RC moved to appoint Ann O’Connor Alternate Planning Board Member.  Term to 6/30/2026. KC 2^nd Voted 3-0.

Highway Mechanic/Driver

RC moved to appoint Steven Cantin to the position of Mechanic/Driver for the Highway Department.  Term to 12/11/2025.  KC 2^nd.  Voted 3-0.

Highway Superintendent Ben Metcalf spoke in favor of the appointment and noted that the Mr. Cantin has 30 years of diesel mechanic experience.

New Business

RC moved to approve the following One Day Liquor License to Seven Saws Brewing with the following restrictions, no more than 35 attendees in the designated area only:

Friday, June 13, 2025 from 3PM to 7PM

Friday, June 20, 2025 from 3PM to 7PM

Friday, June 27, 2025 from 3PM to 7PM

KC 2^nd.  Voted 3-0.

RC moved to approve the FY 26 Highway Superintendent Contract Renewal.  KC 2^nd.

Voted 3-0.

Schedule Selectboard Focus/Planning Meeting

The Focus Planning Session will be held on Monday, June 23^rd at 1PM in the Town Annex.

RC moved to approve the following FY 26 Tighe & Bond Agreements and to authorize the Town Administrator to execute the contract documents:

PFAS Sampling and Support Services not-to-exceed $380,000.

Landfill Compliance Services not-to-exceed $8,900.

Well Monitoring/MCP Reporting Services not-to-exceed $8,900.

KC 2^nd.  Voted 3-0.

Board of Health Notification of Amended Trash Hauler Regulations

No action was taken as the Board of Health is still reviewing the proposed amendments.

RC moved to approve the Memorandum of Agreement with MassDOT for a Rapid Flashing Beacon on Main Street (Route 140) at Leominster Road. KC 2^nd.  Voted 3-0.

RC moved to approve the HR Counsel Service and Fee Agreement Jack Dolan Light House Legal Counsel. KC 2^nd.  Voted 3-0.

Correspondence and Communications

The board acknowledged receipt of correspondence from Deb Faucher, Parks & Rec Chair regarding the committees request for removing the Center School from Parks & Recreation Committee’s responsibility.  The Committee is also requesting that the playground equipment be removed.

Randi Jacobs, WRSD-Approval of Municipal Rep for WRSD Negotiations Leah Whitman

RC moved to approve Leah Whitman to serve as the Municipal Representative for WRSD Negotiations.  KC 2^nd.  Voted 2-0-1 PG abstained

Old Business

Update & Discussion Regarding Community Heart & Soul Project

Confusion regarding what it is and deliverables.  Community Heart & Soul is process that is meant to engage the community and help to inform future decisions. The Master Plan Steering Committee met with the rep from Community Heart & Soul to discuss the process and thought it would be a good tool to identify priorities, recruit volunteers and engage  them in the process.  , The interaction with Heart and Soul to date has revealed the program will require a lot of volunteer time and effort and the results may have little bearing on the Master Plan.  PG noted that while the anecdotal examples of output from Heart and Soul have not been relevant to a Master Plan, examples of some Action Item charts from H & S might prove helpful. The Selectboard felt that this may be a project that a local non-profit is willing to take on.  The First Congregational Church (Joelle) has been very active and involved in community engagement.  I would like to meet with her to discuss the possibility of them taking the lead on this.  We are facing many important decisions including the new public safety building and an override.  Getting input from residents will be important to informing budget priorities in FY 26.

Grant Opportunities and Status of Existing Grants

SP gave an update on the status of several grants as follows:

Awarded $250k Shared Streets and Spaces (Post Office Place to Hickory Drive, Sidewalks, drainage, signage, crosswalk)

Submitted:  Wayfinding & Branding Technical Asst.

Submitted:  Ball Hill Road Culvert Replacement

Award Pending:  MVP Wachusett Mountain Fire Study

Award Pending: Mass Trails

Working on ADA Accessible Walkway Library Application Due 6/13

Planning Stage- PARC Grant Krashes Field- Field Improvements Application Due 7/8

Town Administrator Report & Update on Working Groups

SP provided an update on the RFP for a Regional Common Hauler Program with the Towns of Rutland and Hubbardston.  SP noted that the RFP will be released on 7/1.  A meeting with the potential haulers is scheduled for 7/15.  Proposals are due 7/29.

Traffic Calming Report

SP will draft a Town News and post the final report on the Town website.

Selectboard Report

KC and John Zimmatore are working on the new website.  RC attended the field dedication ceremony for coach Larry Pistrang at Thomas Prince School last week. PG advised the feedback from the Housing Committee ADU information session had been positive.  Mass Housing Partnership (MHP) has grant funding for a potential project for Mechanics Hall and Town Line garage.  Deb Cary is giving tours of the Town to potential developers.

Executive Session

RC 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 and the Chair so declares. The chair declared. Pursuant to the provisions of; of G.L. c. 30A, §21, ¶3.  (Police Union Negotiations).  The board will not reconvene in open session.

KC 2^nd.  The following roll call vote was recorded:  PG aye; KC; aye, RC aye. Voted 3-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:09 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sherry Patch

Town Administrator