Minutes of Meeting – April 29, 2009; meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Present: L Messana; KR Flynn; S Pavlosky; J McNinch; RN Sandlin.
MOTION by KRF, seconded by LM to accept the Minutes of April 15 as presented. 4/0 vote with JM abstaining.
MOTION by JM, seconded by KRF to open the Verizon public hearing. 5/0 vote. A representative from Verizon was present, and explained that they needed to install a new pole due to the fact that the wires were currently attached to a tree that is diseased and needs to be removed. Jeff Vincent is aware of this request and is in favor of it. MOTION by RNS, seconded by LM to close the public hearing. 5/0 vote. MOTION by RNS, seconded by LM to approve a request received from Verizon to locate one jointly owned pole on the westerly side of Old Stockbridge Road at a point approximately 982 feet northerly from the center line of Frothingham Crossing. 5/0 vote.
The Board held the second of two open forums regarding the proposed FY10 budget. The TM gave a brief slide presentation of where the Town has been and where it is headed. Total expenditures will be $23.4 million; typical new revenues for a new year are $650,000; proposed FY10 new revenues are anticipated to be ($30,000). This dramatic change has required significant efforts to reduce costs. The Town is falling behind on capital projects. Everything is on the board to look at, including Tri-town regionalization. There was a brief discussion of a possible consolidation with the School Department and a new consolidation of the financial offices.
MOTION by KRF, seconded by LM to open the public hearing regarding the discontinuance of a portion of New Lenox Road. 5/0 vote. Chris Hookie from the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation explained that they would like to install a “restriction gate” which would be closed for six months (open from the day after Thanksgiving through March 15 for snowmobiles). In this way, the road would continue to exist and enforcement of violators would be possible. The Board then read a letter received from the Taylor’s explaining the issues and requesting that a gate be installed. (Joe Kellogg stated that he would be speaking as a resident of New Lenox Road, and not as a Planning Board member.) Joe and Barbara Kellogg appeared and spoke against the installation of a gate at least at this time, pending a
more comprehensive plan being developed. They feel that with a gate the road becomes private and would not allow any enforcement by the law agencies. He feels that the Town would lose control and that the issues could possibly worsen. Planning Board members Steve Sample and Katie Vaughan stated that they feel that not enough information is available, and that they are not comfortable filing a ruling prior to the upcoming Annual Town Meeting. With no one else wishing to speak, MOTION by RNS, seconded b LM to close the public hearing. 5/0 vote. MOTION by RNS, seconded by LM to table the question at the ATM. 5/0 vote. It was agreed, however, that the Planning Board would continue to review the matter and submit their report to the Board within the 45-day review period. The Board expressed their intent to pursue a more comprehensive solution to the many valid issues raised, including possibly gating the road.
MOTION by RNS, seconded by KRF to grant a one-day A/A license to Eastover Resort for 5/15 from 5:30-m-1am at Tally-Ho. 5/0 vote. MOTION by RNS, seconded by LM to grant a one-day A/A license to Eastover Resort for 5/9 from 6:30-11pm at Tally-Ho. 5/0 vote. MOTION by RNS, seconded by LM to grant a one-day W&M license to Jeff Halpin for 5/20 from 6pm-1am at Eastover Resort. 5/0 vote. MOTION by RNS, seconded by JM to grant a one-day W&M license to Felicity McClenacham/Celeste Drumm for 5/2 from 5-9pm at the Community Center Ballroom. 5/0 vote. MOTION by RNS, seconded by LM to grant a one-day W&M license to the Lenox Library Association for 5/9 from 7-9pm at the Library. 5/0 vote. MOTION by LM, seconded by KRF to grant a Common Victuallers license to Charles Hebler d/b/a
Slice pending the sign off of the various departments. 4/0 vote with RNS recusing himself.
The TM asked the Board to review the benefits package, and in particular the health insurance, offered to retirees. Specifically, the Town needs to determine whether to offer insurance based on a percentage or based upon a lump sum offering as we do with active employees to cover the Towns’ portion of the cost. Because an HMO is considerably less money than the PPO, it could cost a retiree an additional $1500 for an individual or $3800 for a family plan annually. It was suggested that maybe the Town should phase in a lump sum amount over time. After a brief discussion, it was agreed to refer this matter to the Insurance Committee for their input.
Jeff Vincent updated the Board on progress on the Church Street project. Things are progressing nicely, albeit slower than hoped but still moving forward. It is anticipated that the water main work should be completed by the end of May. There was some discussion regarding the historic lights. The TM asked the Board to allow him to negotiate a Change Order once all of the information is in from the engineer on the various lighting vendors. MOTION by RNS, seconded by KRF to grant permission for the TM to enter into a Change Order up to $30,000 for historic street lights that replicate the Westinghouse style lights as close as possible and include the appropriate engineering technology. 5/0 vote.
JM asked for an update on the “Please excuse our dust” signage and suggested that a copy of the rendering of the completed job be installed at the corner of Walker and Church and at the Post Office.
The Board reviewed the articles for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting, and determined who would be reading which motions at the meeting.
Old/New Business: LM reminded everyone that the Annual Town Meeting is on Thursday, May 7 at the LMMHS and how important it is to attend. RNS reminded everyone that on Saturday, May 2 a new playground will be installed in Orebed Park, and that volunteers are needed. Also, that the Green-Up Day is also scheduled for that day, beginning at 8:30am at the post office. He also acknowledged that Steve was not running for another term, and thanked him for his hard work over the past three years. JM again reminded Jeff that he would like to see the signs and rendering of the Church Street project erected ASAP. SP mentioned that the Town continues to work with the City of Pittsfield regarding sewer collection, and that an agreement is in the works. The Selectmen approved a new letter that is to be sent to the
Mayor and the City Council. MOTION by RNS, seconded by JM to grant permission to Yankee Candle to hang a banner from May 18-25, 2009. 5/0 vote.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Assistant to Town Manager Board of Selectmen
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