Policy on Significant Changes to the Grounds of the Town Common

Policy accepted 3/9/2021

WHEREAS the Selectboard (“Board”) recognizes that the Town of Princeton is fortunate to have a well-preserved nineteenth century TOWN COMMON;

WHEREAS, the Board acknowledges that the residents of Princeton have, over many years, and in many ways including the 2007 Master Plan and the Princeton Town Plan 1980-1985, expressed a desire to preserve our TOWN COMMON as it appears now;

NOW THEREFORE, the Board resolves and adopts the following policy relative to significant changes to the grounds of the TOWN COMMON (“the Policy”):

No STRUCTURE shall be constructed, added or placed on the TOWN COMMON from the date of adoption of the Policy forward without the Selectboard having sought the opinion and advice of the Princeton Historical Commission concerning the appropriateness of the proposed project or alteration

Nothing in the Policy shall inhibit or prevent the performance of routine repairs or maintenance of STRUCTURES which are present on the TOWN COMMON as of the date of the adoption of the Policy.

Nothing in the Policy shall inhibit or prevent the Board or any other Town actor from taking action in response to an emergency situation, which would otherwise prevent compliance with the Policy.

Nothing in the Policy shall inhibit or prevent the Board or any other Town actor from taking action necessary for safety or to provide basic services such as the provision of electricity, or water storage or supply, including but not limited to installation of wells, cisterns and utilities.

Nothing in the Policy shall prevent temporary installations, including but not limited to farmer’s markets, holiday decorations, concert seating, festivals, observances, ceremonies and announcements of community events.  Permission for any temporary installation must be obtained from the Board.

DEFINITIONS

TOWN COMMON

The Common includes property within the following parcels:

The property shown as the “Princeton Historic District” in the 1999 National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, attached hereto as Exhibit A; and

The property shown as “Dingman Park” in the 2006 National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, attached hereto as Exhibit B (also shown as Lot 17-0 on Assessor Map 12D).

TOWN COMMON as herein defined does not include the property shown as “Goodnow Park” in the 2006 National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, attached hereto as Exhibit B.  In considering improvements to Goodnow Park, the Board shall consult with the Historical Commission regarding the visual impact said improvements have on the TOWN COMMON.

STRUCTURE

Any permanent man-made or natural object, including but not limited to a building, bench, flag pole, walkway, light fixture, monument, memorial, sign, tree, shrub, or garden.