Selectboard Meeting: September 17, 2025
3:00 pm Town Hall Meeting Room and Virtual
6 Town Hall Dr, Princeton 01541
Published on: September 20, 2025 at 11:40am
Last modified: October 30, 2025 at 7:00am
Virtual Meeting Information
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List of Topics to be Discussed
Announcements
This meeting is being recorded
Call to Order
Approval of Minutes
9/10/2025
Approval of Treasury Report FY 26 Warrant #05
Public Comment
Residents may address the Selectboard on matters of interest to the public for up to three (3) minutes
Appointment
New Business
First item of new business
Second item of new business
Correspondence and Communications
Chief Paul Patriarca
Sgt. Thebeau Retirement Announcement
Larry Todd
Resignation-Historical Commission
Deb Faucher Parks & Rec Chair
Fall Program Announcements
Old Business
First item of old business
Second item of old business
Bid Awards
Fraticelli FY 26 Heating Oil
Fraticelli FY 26 Propane
Grant Opportunities and Status of Existing Grants
Town Administrator Report & Update on Working Groups
Selectboard Report
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. Pursuant to the provisions of; of G.L. c. 30A, §21, ¶3. (Police Chief Contract Renewal Negotiations, Fire Chief Contract).
Agenda Disclaimer
The listings of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair 48 hours before said meeting, which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 PM
Approval of Minutes
RC moved to approve the minutes of 9/10/2025 as amended. KC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Approval of Treasury Report FY 26 Warrant #05
RC moved to approve the Treasury Report for FY 26 Warrant #05 as follows:
Payroll: $148,103.13
Accounts Payable: $337,251.16
Light Department $185,292.51
Total: $570,646.80
KC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Public Comment
Ed Cichon, Radford Road
Ed asked about the impact to Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) due to the retirement of Sgt. Tebeau. SP will look into this. Ed also asked if the Officers and Chief Patriarca are ok with posting pictures of the officers on the town website. KC advised that Chief Patriarca has approved. We will make sure the Officers have approved.
Ron Curry, 18 Mountain Road
Ron stated that he attended the meeting on Monday evening regarding speeding concerns throughout town. Ron stated that the bottom line is that people don’t feel safe. Ron advised that on two occasions he was passed on double line marked road by speeding vehicles. Ron stated that he understands that the police cannot be everywhere.
SP advised that Travis Parisi sent an email on behalf of residents in East Princeton requesting a formal speed study so that a Safety Zone can be created on Leominster Road near Sawyer Park. The board felt that creation of a safety zone on Leominster Road is not necessary as the speed is already reduced (park near intersection with 140). The board also expressed concern about the impact if a speed study was conducted and the speed limit was increased. The board agreed that they would consider establishing a Safety Zone on Mountain Road but would like more information about the criteria and process. SP will send the information for review by the board. PG is also interested in exploring a Safety Zone near the Mountain House Trail and parking lot.
Correspondence and Communications
Chief Patriarca announcing Sgt. Thebeau’s retirement
The board acknowledged receipt of the correspondence.
Larry Todd resignation from Historical Commission
RC moved to accept the resignation of Larry Todd from the Historical Commission effective 9/30/2025. KC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Parks & Recreation Chair announcing fall programs
The board acknowledged receipt of correspondence from Deb Faucher regarding Fall Programs including Scarecrow Alley, Trunk or Treat, Spooky Walk, Wachusett Ski Program
RC moved to approve the placement of signs for Scare Crow Alley as requested. KC 2nd. Voted 3-0. PG and KC expressed concern regarding the proposed spooky walk. PG’s concerns were about security. KC has concerns about safety at night and uneven terrain on the path. SP will follow up with Deb Faucher.
Bid Awards
· RC moved to award the bid (markup/gal. $00.60) for FY 26 Heating Oil to Fraticelli Oil & Propane. KC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
· RC moved to award the bid (markup/gal. $.0063) for FY 26 Propane to Fraticelli Oil & Propane. KC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
Grant Opportunities and Status of Existing Grants
SP updated the board on two new grant programs that MassDOT is rolling out this fall. The Unpaved Grants Program will provide funds up to $1M for town owned and maintained roads (dirt or gravel) for reconstruction, resurfacing, drainage improvement and safety improvements (guardrails/signage). The grant will also fund equipment acquisition.
The Culvert Grant Program will provide funding for design and construction of culverts.
SP also advised that grant awards under the Community One Stop program are anticipated in October. The town has two grants pending under these programs:
- The MDI Wayfinding and Branding grant
- The construction grant for the replacement of the culvert on Ball Hill Road
Town Administrator Report & Update on Working Groups
SP reported that one proposal was received for the regional (Rutland, Princeton, Hubbardston) trash hauler program from Casella. Reviewers form each community will be meeting on 9/25 to discuss the proposal. Lar Greene and Claire Golding are representing Princeton for the review process. SP will also be attending.
Selectboard Report
- KC reported that she has been rolling out website changes to the various boards and committees.
- KC requested funding ($250) for assistance with logo and icon design for the website. The request was approved.
- KC provided a brief summary of today’s meeting with department heads, which focused primarily on budget constraints due to level funding over the past couple of years.
- PG reported that the Princeton Trustees of Trusts will be holding an ice cream social fund raiser sometime in October or November at Mountainside Café.
- Advisory Committee Chair, Peter Giumette reported that the Advisory Committee has finalized their liaison assignments and will send an updated list to the board should they want assistance with any of their areas of focus.
Adjournment
RC moved to adjourn the meeting. KC 2nd. Voted 3-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:43 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sherry Patch
Town Administrator