Minutes of Meeting – June 11, 2008; meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Present: S Pavlosky; L Messana; RN Sandlin; KR Flynn; J McNinch.
MOTION by RNS, seconded by LM to accept the Minutes of May 28 as presented. 5/0 vote.
MOTION by KRF, seconded by LM to renew the contract with CET to help administer the HHW collaborative for FY09 and to authorize the TM to sign same. 5/0 vote.
KRF works for the attorney involved in this easement, and accordingly recused herself from the discussion. MOTION by RNS, seconded by LM to accept an easement from Shakespeare & Company, Inc. for a water main that links Kemble Street and Old Stockbridge Road. 4/0 vote.
Elected Officials Health Benefits: SP recapped this issue: At the May ATM, the Town voted to do away with health benefits for elected officials. The Board, at a subsequent BOS meeting, voted to concur with this vote, which would apply to both current and vested officials. Tom Romeo reiterated that the petition article requested that benefits be removed for all past, present and future officials, and that the amendment to grandfather current officials was defeated by the people at the ATM. Jim Kincaid stated that he was told that since he was already vested, his status would be unaffected by the vote. He sees a distinction between being vested vs. grandfathering individuals. SP stated that the board has two options: 1) take no action; or 2) consider the option to amend their previous vote and
allow vested officials to qualify for the health insurance. MOTION by RNS, seconded by LM to amend the May 14 vote and allow former elected officials that have been vested to be eligible for health insurance benefits. 3/2 vote with SP and JM opposed. JM stated that he felt a fiscal responsibility and a need to confirm the vote taken at the ATM. LM stated that she felt a moral obligation to allow those officials getting ready to retire the opportunity to have the insurance that they had been planning over the years to utilize. SP felt that we should do away with the benefits for all elected officials. There is no money budgeted for this coming year to pay for this expense. Jim Kincaid, being the only active vested individual, asked if he can remain active or will he have to retire in order to keep his health insurance benefits? Town Counsel will need to look into this matter. (NOTE: It was subsequently determined that Mr.
Kincaid would have to retire in order to take advantage of the health insurance benefit.)
MOTION by JM, seconded by LM to appoint L. Scott Laugenour as the BRTA representative. 5/0 vote.
MOTION by RNS, seconded by LM to appoint Ethan Berg as a full-time member of the ZBA with Dan Mintz becoming an alternate member. 2/3 vote with KRF, JM and SP opposed. MOTION by JM, seconded by KRF to appoint Ethan Berg as a full-time member of the ZBA, and that the Board interview any candidates interested in the alternate position. 5/0 vote.
MOTION by RNS, seconded by LM to approve a proposed contract for the Police Chief with one change: the TM to add in language stating …”other duties as assigned”. 5/0 vote.
The Board met with DPW Superintendent Jeff Vincent. They discussed the possibility of the Board acting as the Infrastructure Committee vs. two Board members and 2/3 citizens. He asked that the paving program be amended from its original plan. Rather than trying to do New Lenox Road in total, he would like to do several roads (reclaiming and repaving). The Board agreed that this seemed like a better scenario. Regarding staffing, they questioned Jeff whether he needed additional staff or if contracting out work would be a better option. After some discussion, it was agreed to move forward with the proposed hiring of a laborer/driver. The Board agreed to hold an informational meeting regarding West Street on 6/25 to review option A and B. Finally, Jeff mentioned that an alarm glitch had occurred
in our water system, and our pumps were down for 6 hours. While there was no problem with the treating of the water, state law requires the town to notify its users of any such occurrence that lasts more than four hours. Since it was the fault of the alarm company, the Town is looking to them to recoup our expenses.
Old/New Business: JM asked Jeff when the crosswalks will be painted; he stated that they were started today down in the Dale. KRF brought up the need to discuss how to structure the Town Meeting format. Perhaps we could hold a Q&A one day, followed by ballot voting on the next day. RNS asked for suggestions as to how to get the word out about Town activities. It was suggested that the Board hold their meeting in that area of Town when an issue is specific to it. LM asked anyone with extra flowers to consider donating them to Liston Park. In addition, she is looking to have two picnic tables made, one for the park and one for the Curtis. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Assistant to Town Manager Board of Selectmen
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Mary Ellen Deming
Town of Lenox
Town Hall - 6 Walker Street
Lenox, MA 01240
phone: (413) 637-5500
fax: (413) 637-5518
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