Lenox Historical Commission
October 13, 2008, 4:00 p.m.
Town Hall, Land Use Room
Minutes
Commissioners present: James Jurney, Suzanne Pelton, Sharon Hughes
Visitors: Ellie Geller, Gundula Brattke
Meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. The minutes of the September 8 meeting were approved.
OLD BUSINESS
Cemetery Restoration – MPPF (Mass Preservation Project Funds) letter of intent deadline is December 15. Invitations for full applications will be issued January 14. Full application deadline is March 9, 2009.
Date Plaques for Historic Buildings – Sharon and Suzanne will get costs and samples for next meeting.
Great Estates Preservation By-law – The majority of the meeting was spent on discussion of how the bylaw could be rewritten so that 1) it will pass at Town Meeting and 2) it will allow by right additional uses beyond single family dwelling for some great estates in Lenox. Springlawn and Ethelwynde (the Lenox Athenaeum) are bogged down in lawsuits brought by abutters to prevent their use as Inns. Suzanne and James will work on wording to offer to the Planning Board. At a future Town Meeting a few more obvious great estates: Ventfort Hall (a house museum), Eastover (a resort), Seranak (a private club), Shipton Court (a resort, Seven Hills) and The Mount (a house museum) should be proposed for addition to the Great Estates Preservation By-law.
NEW BUSINESS
New Commissioners – James will contact Town Manager/Select Board re appointment of Ellie and Gundula as Commissioners.
The meeting was adjourned at 6 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Suzanne W. Pelton
Secretary
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