Minutes of Meeting – June 10, 2009; meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Present: L Messana; KR Flynn; RN Sandlin; D Trancynger; J McNinch.
MOTION by KRF, seconded by DT to accept the Minutes and Executive Minutes of May 27 as presented. 4/0 vote with JM abstaining.
Suzanne Pelton appeared before the Board to discuss historic name and date signs for various historic buildings in town. There are approximately 248 houses built before 1924 that are eligible. She also mentioned that the Historical Commission is working on updating the Historic Properties Book.
MOTION by RNS, seconded by JM to grant a one-day W&M license to Richard Drees for 6/20 from
1-5pm at the Community Center Ballroom. 5/0 vote. MOTION by RNS, seconded by KRF to grant a one-day W&M license to Jennifer Andrews for 10/30 from 8pm-midnight at the Community Center Ballroom. 4/0 vote with JM abstaining.
MOTION by RNS, seconded by KRF to appoint Joe Kellogg as the alternate to the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. 5/0 vote.
MOTION by RNS, seconded by JM to acknowledge receipt of, and to forward to the Planning Board and Historic District Commission, a request received from Jim Harwood seeking permission to erect a business sign in the town’s right of way by Talbot’s on Walker Street. 5/0 vote. KRF was concerned that the sign on the plan was hanging over the sidewalk and wanted to make sure that the placement was changed slightly to avoid the overhang.
MOTION by RNS, seconded by KRF to join the HHW collaborative for FY10 and to authorize the TM to sign a contract for same. 5/0 vote.
MOTION by KRF, seconded by RNS to deny a request to hold a jewelry tent sale in Lilac Park on July 11 and September 12. 5/0 vote. The Board felt that, as a for profit enterprise it was not appropriate to be in Lilac Park as a stand-alone event. The applicant should consider participating in the craft fairs or seek alternative locations in town.
MOTION by RNS, seconded by KRF to extend the Town’s contract with the Chamber of Commerce to utilize the Event Planner at the existing rate from July through December. 5/0 vote. The Board felt that it was important to continue so as not to lose the momentum. It was agreed to utilizing funding in the Advertising Budget to cover the costs. Also, it was agreed to evaluate the position at 6-month intervals.
MOTION by RNS, seconded by JM to approve reserve fund transfers in the amount of $3333.46 to cover extra overtime costs in the Fire Department; to approve a reserve fund transfer in the amount of $4902.86 for overruns in the snow and ice account; to approve a reserve fund transfer in the amount of $15, 371.81 for the library debt payments. 5/0 vote. With regard to the Library debt payment, the Town had planned to utilize left over bond money, but the state will not allow it. The Town, however, could reimburse its General Fund by placing an article seeking the funds from the Community Preservation Fund at a future town meeting.
The Board went over their priorities and goals for the coming year. They also set their summer meeting schedule as follows: June 24, July 15, August 5 and August 26. The following liaison appointments were made: Dia, School Committee and Board of Health; Linda, Assessors and CIC; John, Finance Committee, Community Center Board and Fire & Police; Roscoe, CIC, CPC and Affordable Housing and Land Use Boards; Kim, Library and Land Use Boards. In addition, each Selectmen selected topics that they wanted to take a leadership role in advancing: Kim and Roscoe, Review of Organizational Structure; Linda and Kim, Regional Service Options; John and Dia, Economic Development Efforts; Roscoe and Linda, Pittsfield Sewer and Water Negotiations; John and Dia, Sustainability Projects. It was agreed that the Board
would receive the packet information as filed with the ZBA for any significant projects.
MOTION by JM, seconded by KRF to award a contract to Fabino and Libardi Construction Services in the amount of $25,810 for restoration work at Baker’s Pond and to authorize the TM to sign a contract for same. This funding will come out of the Community Preservation funds ($60,000). 5/0 vote. The Board then discussed the new parking area for handicapped/limited mobility persons at the water tank at the end of Aspenwall Road. The Board approved of the layout, and agreed that the project should move forward. There was some discussion regarding temporary stickers for those with temporary physical limitations or visitors to the area. Needs further thought.
MOTION by JM, seconded b KRF to approve a temporary sign request from Yankee Candle Co. to erect a sign from June 22 through June 29. 5/0 vote.
Church Street Update: Water connections are done and roadway filled over with blacktop. The northern section is now done until September. The focus of the work will be on the eastern side sidewalk on the southern half of Church Street with new curbing and the placement of the gravel base and the installation of new pavers. Driveway aprons and accessible ramps will also be installed. JM asked that one of the rendering boards be placed at the corner of Church and Walker Streets.
Old/New Business: RNS reminded the Board that we need to set up a meeting with Stockbridge regarding water. LM asked if the Board would consider asking the Tanglewood Music School to conduct mini concerts in Lilac Park on the available weekends during the summer. Everyone thought that the idea had merit. The Board agreed that unless the Cornell Inn contacts the Building Inspector to set up an inspection of the premises, they will rescind their alcoholic license on June 17, and he must surrender the license to this office immediately.
By roll call, LM, RNS, KRF, JM and DT voted to go into Executive Session at 8:15 p.m. to discuss contract issues.
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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