Lenox Community Preservation Committee
August 25, 2008
Minutes
Members present: Roscoe Sandlin (RS), Midge Sandlin (MS), Joe G. Strauch (JGS), Jim Sorrentino (JS), Joseph Kellogg (JK) and Fred Keator (FK).
Olga Weiss (OW) & Scott Pignatelli (SP), absent with notification.
Also in attendance: Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner.
Meeting opened at 7:40 PM.
RS opened by saying that the meeting is dedicated to a discussion of open space and recreation needs. He thanked Neal Carpenter, Chairman of the Conservation Commission and Gene Chague, Lenox Land Trust for attending. RS noted that members received a copy of the draft Revised Open Space and Recreation Plan.
JS said he met with the Community Center Board last week and the Board offered the following comments regarding potential needs. 1. Acquisition of land for the bike path. 2. Tillotson Park drainage improvements. 3. Beach ADA improvements that would include repair of the accessible path from the driveway to the beach area. 4. North Lenox playground facility. Members discussed project eligibility requirements. MA will discuss projects with the Community Preservation Organization. There was a discussion of working with St. Helena’s to determine if this could be a site for new playground equipment.
JK referenced the open space survey. MA will distribute copies of the survey to CPC members. JGS said he reviewed the draft Open Space and Recreation Plan. It is very general and outlines a number of tasks for the Conservation Commission. He is concerned that it is not realistic. He has received feedback that citizens are concerned that CPA money is not being used to purchase open space. Citizens have stated that they voted for the CPA so there would be money to purchase open space. He suggested that the CPC save money for open space. JK agreed with JGS’s comments and favors banking CPC money to buy open space. Neal Carpenter suggested land adjacent to Post Farm. JK suggested a partnership with Fish and Wildlife.
Members agreed that the town is committed t the library project for ten years. The consensus of the members is to bank CPA money. In the future, all CPA project should be a partnership and CPA money should be leverage and not a principle source of funding.
JGS is concerned about Post Farm. He suggested that CPA money be used to preserve and restore Post Farm. RS said that the CPC is a balancing act between acquisition and preservation and restoration. Members agreed that CPA must be leverage for other funding.
RS asked MA to contact James Jurney, Chairman of the Historical Commission, regarding the next CPC meeting on September 15. This meeting will de dedicated to a discussion of historic preservation needs. JK noted that he will not be at the September 15 meeting because he has a work conflict. He also noted that he prefers an earlier meeting time
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
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