Minutes of Meeting – August 5, 2009; meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Present: L Messana; KR Flynn; RN Sandlin; J McNinch. Absent: D Trancynger.
MOTION by JM, seconded by KRF to accept the Minutes and Executive Minutes of July 15 as presented. 4/0 vote.
MOTION by RNS, seconded by KRF to open the public hearing regarding an annual W&M package store license request received from The Wit Gallery. 4/0 vote. The Clerk read the ad as it appeared in The Berkshire Eagle. Adam Hirsch, a partner in The Wit Gallery, explained that they want to open a “boutique wine store” in conjunction with the gallery. They will be offering higher end, more unique wines. MOTION by RNS, seconded by KRF to close the public hearing. 4/0 vote. MOTION by RNS, seconded by KRF to approve the application as presented. 4/0 vote.
Veterans Agent Sean Ward appeared before the Board to update them on activities at the VFW. They would like to consider the upstairs of the Academy Building as their space, and not have it rented out to various outside organizations. LM stated that she felt the Town had other space available to rent. RNS felt that other town organizations should be able to use the space. It was agreed that they could contact Sean and he would be able to accommodate such requests. Sean then asked if the Veterans could have use of the small room currently occupied by the Historical Commission. It was agreed to have the appropriate individuals sit together to discuss the issue. MOTION by JM, seconded by KRF to acknowledge the VFW as the primary tenant of the 2nd floor of the Academy Building with all the
responsibilities that entails, including allowing others to use the space as scheduling allows. 4/0 vote.
Members of the Morris School PTO appeared before the Board to discuss their plans for this year’s Apple Squeeze. They would like to have all children’s activities in Lilac Park. The issue of pony rides came up since the policy states no live animals allowed. It was agreed that Sunset Avenue could be blocked off for the pony rides. MOTION by KRF, seconded by RNS to allow the Chamber to host the 30th annual Apple Squeeze celebration on September 26 and 27 around the downtown area of Lenox, with Morris PTO utilizing Lilac Park with pony rides on Sunset Avenue subject to police approval. 4/0 vote.
Local Option Taxes: Ralph Petillo spoke on behalf of the Chamber members. While they understand that the Town needs to balance the Town budget, there are ways that the Chamber could work with the Town. Revenue from visitors is down 25-30%, and attendance at events is down up to 50%. He suggested that a fee of 25-50 cents be added to ticket sales that would go directly to the Town. It was suggested that if taxes go up in Lenox, revenue may go down due to the fact that visitors may go to neighboring communities that have a lower tax. LM stated that the Town should take a step back and review our options. RNS stated that 1) a county-wide review would be helpful; 2) an investment in business development according to a plan, perhaps with another community; and 3) looking at the timing of things is
important. It was noted that many establishments have sold all inclusive packages for the fall, winter and into next summer already, and if the tax were increased now, they would have to eat the difference in cost. JM stated that he is concerned that there will be more cuts to come from the state. While we could wait awhile to increase the rooms tax, we should do it in November or February, and not wait until the May ATM.
MOTION by RNS, seconded by JM to grant a one-day A/A license to Seven Hills for Saturday, 9/12 from 4pm-12:30am. 4/0 vote. MOTION by RNS, seconded by KRF to grant a one-day A/A license to Seven Hills for Sunday, 9/13 from 5pm-12:30am. 4/0 vote. MOTION by RNS, seconded by JM to grant a one-day A/A license to Seven Hills for Friday, 9/25 from 6pm-12:30am. 4/0 vote. MOTION by RNS, seconded by KRF to grant a one-day A/A license to Seven Hills for Saturday, 9/26 from 4pm-12:30am. 4/0 vote. MOTION by RNS, seconded by KRF to grant a one-day A/A license to Cameron House for Thursday, 8/6 from 4:30 to 6:30pm. 4/0 vote. MOTION by RNS, seconded by KRF to grant a one-day A/A license to Eastover Resort for Sunday, 8/16 from 1-6pm at Tally Ho. 4/0 vote. MOTION by RNS, seconded
by KRF to grant a one-day W&M license to Deborah Prew for the Lenox Dale Block Party on Saturday, 8/22 from 6-11:30pm at St. Vincent DePaul Church parking lot. 4/0 vote.
MOTION by RNS, seconded by JM to approve the FY10 contract in the amount of $236,452 with the Lenox Library Association. 4/0 vote. RNS suggested that they attend the next BOS meeting to give an end of year report.
MOTION by JM, seconded by RNS to grant permission for the Tree Warden to move ahead with a fundraising effort for a Liberty Tree Memorial for the Town. 4/0 vote. It was suggested that the new park at the corner of Church and Walker Streets may be the right location for a new tree.
MOTION by RNS, seconded by KRF to approve a contract with Foresight Engineering for plans and specs for Phase II – Franklin, Housatonic and Walker Streets in an amount not to exceed $70,500 and to authorize the TM to sign a contract for same. 4/0 vote.
MOTION by KRF, seconded by JM to approve the FY10 Police Contract as presented. 4/0 vote.
Old/New Business: MOTION by RNS, seconded by JM to appoint LM to serve on the Sandy Beach Committee with the Town of Lee. 4/0 vote. RNS stated that the Farmer’s Market seems fine with the traffic officer, and that they should stay in Triangle Park for the balance of this year. KRF thanked Frankie Mahoney for cleaning up all the flowers around Town that the Village Improvement Committee planted. LM mentioned that she and the TM met with Mayor Peter Bober from Hollywood, FL. He praised the look of the Town and was amazed that the Town offered free parking around town. She also went through the July and August personnel anniversaries.
By roll call, LM, RNS, KRF and JM voted to go into Executive Session at 9:25 p.m. for the purposes of discussing negotiations for a new sewer contract with the City of Pittsfield.
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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