Minutes of Meeting – September 30, 2009; meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Present: KR Flynn; RN Sandlin; D Trancynger; J McNinch (entered at 7:03). Absent: L. Messana.
MOTION by RNS, seconded by DT to accept the Minutes of September 16 as presented. 3/0 vote.
MOTION by RNS, seconded by DT to open the public hearing regarding an annual W&M Restaurant license request received from Nudel. 3/0 vote. (JM entered meeting.) The Clerk read the ad as it appeared in The Berkshire Eagle. Bjorn Somlo, Manager at Nudel explained that they currently have a BYOB policy in place, but only until they can obtain an annual W&M license. MOTION by RNS, seconded by DT to close the public hearing. 4/0 vote. MOTION by RNS, seconded by DT to approve the application as presented. 4/0 vote.
Room Tax Public Forum: KRF explained the rationale for placing an article on the STM warrant seeking to increase the rooms tax by 2%. Frank Newton suggested that the School Department try to budget differently and save money wherever they can. He suggested that the Town look at the Lenox Children’s Center and the Community Center for additional sources of revenue. The TM stated that the vote on this article will be by paper ballot per the decision of the Town Moderator.
Ralph Petillo from the Chamber came before the Board to update them on events that occurred over the past year, and what events they are looking forward to improving upon next year.
MOTION by DT, seconded by JM to approve the consent agenda which included the following:
Six (6) one-day W&M licenses at the Seven Hills; a one-day W&M license to UNICO; a one-day W&M license to Therese Abbott for the St. Ann’s Parish Center; the appointment of Jennifer Shapp to the Lenox Cultural Council. 4/0 vote.
There was a brief discussion regarding the West Street project. Frank Newton stated that he felt that adding a bike path lane to this road will be dangerous for the bikers. He feels that vehicles will speed even more than they currently do. Elske Smith and Scott Langenour disagreed, stating that they see a big need for bike paths in town. Carolyn Barry and Harvey Green both spoke about the particulars of the project.
Affordable Housing Trust Fund Trustee Appointments: MOTION by JM, seconded by DT to approve the Affordable Housing Trust document as presented. 4/0 vote. MOTION by RNS, seconded by JM to appoint the following individuals as Trustees for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund: David Klausmeyer, Roscoe Sandlin, Jo Anne Magee, Theresa Ahrens, Ellen Jacobsen, Deborah Ferro Burke and Katie McNulty-Vaughan. 4/0 vote.
Municipal Wind Project: MOTION by JM, seconded by RNS to authorize the TM to proceed with grant opportunities to conduct an in depth feasibility study, including wind monitoring. 4/0 vote.
Environmental Committee member Jaime Cahalan updated the Board on various energy related projects: additional/larger solar panels at the school; reduction of phosphates/water usage; Mass Save energy assessment program for homes; the green building open houses; an upcoming home energy efficiency workshop.
Old/New Business: DT informed the Board that she attended a meeting of the Laurel Lake Access Committee, and explained the various options that were discuss with regard to access at Lee Sandy Beach. She feels that it is not appropriate for a Lenox Selectmen to serve on this committee, and suggested that someone from the Community Center attend instead. She also updated the Board on a meeting she attended regarding the schools. She would like to see the Youth Drug and Alcohol Committee become more viable, and suggested that the Board talk with John Pignatelli regarding this matter. RNS praised the parade put together by the firefighters on the occasion of their 100th anniversary.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25 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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