Selectboard Meeting: March 5, 2025

Attending:

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

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 3:00 PM.

Appointments

RC moved to appoint John Gary Harrington to the position of Inspector of Wires. Term: 6/30/2028. KC 2nd. Voted 3-0.

RC moved to appoint Curt Bjorkman to the position of Alternate Electrical Inspector. Term: 6/30/2028, and Jeremy Pierce to the position of Plumbing and Gas Inspector. Term: 6/30/2028, and Robert Janda to the position of Asst. Plumbing Inspector. Term: 6/30/2028. KC 2nd. Voted 3-0.

RC moved to appoint Diana Lynn Gordon to the position of Alternate COA Member. Term: 6/30/2025. PG 2nd. Voted 3-0.

Approval of Minutes

RC moved to approve the minutes of 2/19/2025 as amended. KC 2nd. Voted 3-0.

Approval of Treasury Report -Warrant # 17

RC moved to approve the Treasury Report for Warrant #17 as follows:

Payroll: $181,461.34

Accounts Payable: $294,145.41

Light Department: $202,854.56

Total: $678,461.31

PG 2nd. Voted 3-0.

Public Comment

None

New Business

None

Correspondence and Communications

Karen Rossow: Permission to Hold 6th Annual Earth Day Month of April & Request for Earth Day Promotional Signs and Banner

No action was taken. The board requested more information regarding the placements of signs. SP will follow up with Karen Rossow.

Old Business

The Board reviewed the draft Snow and Ice Policy as amended. RC moved to approve the amended Snow & Ice Policy. KC 2nd. Voted 3-0.

The Board reviewed the revised Parks & Rec Director Job Description. RC moved to approve the revised job description pending Parks & Recreation Committee approval. KC 2nd. Voted 3-0.

Bid Awards

RC moved to award the bid for the FY 25-01 Road Resurfacing & Related Work on Westminster Road to P.J. Keating Company and to authorize the Town Administrator to execute the contract documents. KC 2nd. RC noted the low bid for the project was $647,664.85. The project estimate was $1,097,000. KC expressed speeding concerns on the new road. Highway Superintendent Ben Metcalf advised that he will be installing signage and speed radar feedback signs. A parking area may be addressed through a change order as the project came in under bid. PMLD has $8K to contribute to parking. PG will contact DCR to discuss. Ben would also like to widen shoulders near Harrington Farm. Voted 3-0.

Ben also addressed chipping on the new sidewalk on Worcester Road. Ben advised that due to an oversight a sealant wasn’t added to the bid specifications. Ben advised that the road sand salt is coming up onto the sidewalk during plowing operations. The Highway Department will re-seal the sidewalk in the spring. KC will send out a Town News to inform residents about the snow & ice policy and the chipping on the sidewalk.

Grant Opportunities and Status of Existing Grants

SP advised that the Town was awarded a $100K (2-year program) under the MVP 2.0 Planning Grant Program for climate resilience.

SP noted that the Town was approved to use funds under the Green Communities Designation Grant for weatherization projects at the Library and Highway Department.

SP is applying for a META Grant for design and bid documents for the Library heating system. The grant application is due on Friday, Funding is available for up to $25k. RC moved to authorize the Town Administrator to apply for funding. KC 2nd. Voted 3-0.

Town Administrator Report & Update on Working Groups

SP advised that she is still waiting on the Traffic Calming Report from CMRPC. SP will follow up with CMRPC.

Selectboard Report

PG reported that there will be a joint meeting of the Princeton Business Association (working title) and local small business owners who are interested in starting a Small Business Owner’s Association on March 18th at 7:30 PM in the Town Hall Annex.

KC reported that the Public Safety Building Committee met on February 19th. There was a presentation of three heat pump options. The ground-source heat pump option required too many wells and too much money. So, they are moving forward with the second of 2 air-source heat pump options. Information regarding the options has been posted on the website.

KC advised that she and Town Clerk Alissa Horsung attended a webinar regarding the website transition. They will also look at other vendor options. SP will check with other towns to see who they are using.

Peter Giumette advised that the Advisory Committee will be reviewing the Annual Town Meeting warrant at their next meeting.

SP noted that she, Peter Giumette and PG attended the 232 Hold Harmless virtual meeting last night. The Districts and Town Official were encouraged to seek support from their legislators for increased funding for schools. The hearing on FY 26 Local Aid is scheduled for March 24th at UMASS-Amherst District and Town Official are encouraged to attend. PG will edit the template letter for distribution to board members to review and edit.

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. The Chair so declares. Pursuant to the provisions of; of G.L. c. 30A, §21, ¶3. (TA Contract Renewal) Not to return to open session.

The following roll call vote was recorded. RC aye; KC aye; PG aye. Voted 3-0.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 3:42 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sherry Patch

Town Administrator