Minutes of Meeting – January 31, 2007; meeting called to order at 5:30 p.m.
Present: S Pavlosky; JH Pumphrey; RT Akroyd; RN Sandlin. Absent: L Messana.
MOTION by JHP, seconded by RNS to accept the Minutes of January 17 as presented. 4/0 vote.
Lenox Library Forum: RTA briefly reviewed what has transpired to date, and then went through a 10-point plan that has been proposed. Marianne Elrodt went on to explain that the proposed plan will create a public/private partnership that will work well. Cathy May explained that she is concerned that the Town lacks sufficient oversight with the proposed plan, and that the Library should become a Town department to allow for proper oversight. Wayne Lemanski asked if future land purchases using CPA funds may be penalized since the to-be-appointed CPA committee is already being told that funds will be spent on the Library. RNS stated no, and explained that funds need to be spent on certain projects based on certain percentages. Andrea Winters spoke up and stated that she feels that there are too many problems
that need to be worked out; too many unanswered questions that need to be answered prior to a Special Town Meeting. She is of the opinion that the Library building is a liability, not an asset, and that it will add to the expense of the Town. Cris Roberts asked what the Town will get from the AG’s office’s review of the plan. Could anything change? JHP stated that she is confident that the plan will receive approval as proposed. Rob explained that the Selectmen and Library will continue to advance the proposal. He announced a Special Town Meeting will take place on February 28 for the purpose of adopting the by-laws governing the formation and duties of the new Community Preservation Committee. The Committee will be asked to put forth recommendations as to uses of the community preservation funds at the Annual Town Meeting. It is the Selectmen’s hope that the recommendations will include funding the purchase of the
Library. At the ATM, voters will be asked to vote on the purchase of the Library and reading park, as well as to vote on the Town’s contribution to the Library’s operating fund.
MOTION by JHP, seconded by SP to set the seasonal population figure at 10,000 for purposes of seasonal package store licenses. 4/0 vote.
Senior Services Coordinator Cathy May appeared before the Board to update them on the Senior Work-off Program, and to request that the number of slots in the Senior Work-off Program be increased from ten to fifteen. SP suggested that if there are enough openings, why not increase the number of slots to twenty? After some discussion, MOTION by JHP, seconded by RNS to increase the number of slots in the Senior Work-off Program from ten to twenty. 4/0 vote.
MOTION by JHP, seconded by RNS to accept, with regret, the resignation of Genevieve Powers as a Registrar and to have MED send her a letter of thanks for her years of service. 4/0 vote. MOTION by JHP, seconded by RNS to accept, with regret, the resignation of Jerry Connoy from the Historical Commission and to have MED send him a letter of thanks for his years of service. 4/0 vote. Those interested in these two openings should submit a letter of interest to the Selectmen’s office.
RTA mentioned that Shakespeare and Company was honored at a White House Ceremony last week as a recipient of a 2006 Coming Up Taller Award for their court diversion program that provides an acting experience and study of Shakespeare instead of normal court punishments for young people.
Chief O’Brien submitted a letter to the Board that he received from the MA Motorcycle Association in which they request permission to erect a banner promoting awareness of motorcycles for a four-week period. Request died for lack of a motion.
Jerry Kelly appeared before the Board to express his concerns about the Abate project at the base of Walker Street in the Dale. He feels that it is too large, and is concerned about future projects. He suggested that the Town look into tightening up the current zoning by-laws to try to eliminate these types of projects occurring in the future.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Minutes Taken By: ___________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Assistant to Town Manager Board of Selectmen
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