Minutes of Meeting – March 14, 2007; meeting called to order at 5:30 p.m.
Present: S Pavlosky; RN Sandlin; L Messana; JH Pumphrey; RT Akroyd.
RTA thanked Ellen Chenaux for offering to host the BOS meeting at the Birchwood Inn. He stated that the Birchwood Inn has been around for 240 years, and was the site of the first Town Meeting when the Town was incorporated and the Selectmen Form of Government was established.
Jeffrey Folmer, Ventfort Hall Director, asked the Selectmen to sign a letter of support for a grant that they are pursuing. MOTION by JHP, seconded by LM to sign said letter of support. 5/0 vote.
MOTION by JHP, seconded by LM to accept the Minutes of February 21 as presented. 5/0 vote.
MOTION by JHP, seconded by LM to grant a one-day W&M license to St. Ann Church for 3/15 from 6-11pm at Tally-Ho. 5/0 vote. MOTION by JHP, seconded by LM to grant a one-day A/A license to Eastover Resort for 3/31 from 6pm-1am at the American Heritage Room. 5/0 vote. MOTION by JHP, seconded by LM to grant a one-day A/A license to Eastover Resort for 4/16 from 5-11pm at the mansion. 5/0 vote. MOTION by RNS, seconded by JHP to grant an amusement device license to Bennigan’s Grill and Tavern. 5/0 vote.
MOTION by JHP, seconded by SP to grant permission to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to hold their 15th annual MS Walk of the Berkshires on May 5 from 9:30-noon, and to allow use of the restrooms at the Academy Building. 5/0 vote.
MOTION by JHP, seconded by LM to approve the transfer of $2865 into the Veterans Budget. 5/0 vote. MOTION by JHP, seconded by LM to approve the transfer of $3000 into the Prof. Services Account to hire a computer software consultant to review the Town’s needs. 5/0 vote.
MOTION by JHP, seconded by LM to approve the transfer of $1330 into the Prof. Services Account for a structural engineering review of the Library building. 5/0 vote.
W/S Rate Public Hearing: J. Vincent did an overview of the Town’s water and sewer operations. He explained that, depending on connection fees, we actually need a 20% increase in the sewer rate to fund the Town’s capital needs, but that he is proposing a 6% increase. Andrea Winters suggested a higher flat rate with no additional comments from the public. MOTION by JHP, seconded by RNS to close the public hearing. 5/0 vote. MOTION by JHP, seconded by SP to increase water rates by 3%, increasing the rate from $4.68 to $4.82 per thousand gallons in FY08. 5/0 vote. MOTION by JHP, seconded by LM to increase sewer rates by 8%, increasing the rate from $4.39 to $4.74 per thousand gallons in FY08. 5/0 vote. MOTION by JHP, seconded by LM to maintain the connection fee at the
current $15 and $7.50 per gallon rates. 5/0 vote. MOTION by JHP, seconded by LM to maintain the impact fee at the current $15 and $7.50 per gallon rates. 5/0 vote. MOTION by JHP, seconded by LM to agree with the concept of an Adaptive Re-use Fee, to be reviewed at 3/28 BOS meeting after legal review. 5/0 vote.
MOTION by JHP, seconded by LM to increase the Cemetery Fee schedule as proposed, and to amend the Rules and Regulations of the Lenox Cemetery Department as presented. 5/0 vote.
Planning/Zoning Update: The neighborhood meetings are going very well, with a good number of people attending. Open space and affordable housing are two common concerns that keep coming up. The Planning Board would like to see a fall Special Town Meeting to focus on zoning amendments. The Board expressed a willingness to do so as long as the Planning Board is committed to keeping the momentum going and bringing forward substantial proposals.
Noise Ordinance: Discussion took place about a much simplified ordinance that focuses on construction hours. It was suggested to allow construction to occur weekdays from 7am-7pm, Saturdays from 9am-5pm and on Sundays from 10am-5pm. The office will work with Town Counsel on appropriate language to create a Town by-law.
There was a brief discussion regarding the Historical Commission’s request for a Demolition Delay By-law. The Board thought that it might be better to identify the structures that would be subject to a possible demolition delay. Outside of the Historic District this should include a few dozen buildings at most. Further discussion is planned at the 3/28 meeting with the Historical Commission.
Old/New Business: LM congratulated Sean Ward and Ray Kirby for their years of service to the Town.
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm.
Minutes Taken By: ___________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Assistant to Town Manager Board of Selectmen
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