Minutes of Meeting – March 24, 2010; meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Present: L Messana; D Trancynger; J McNinch; KR Flynn. Absent: RN Sandlin.
MOTION by KRF, seconded by DT to accept the Minutes of March 3 as presented. 4/0 vote.
Meckenzie Geer from BRPC and Fire Chief Dan Clifford made a brief presentation to the Board regarding the Town’s efforts to update the hazardous mitigation plan, which is required in order to be eligible for FEMA funding. The Chief explained that many potential hazard areas have been identified throughout this process.
Water/Sewer Rate Hearing: KRF read the ad as it appeared in The Berkshire Eagle. MOTION by KRF, seconded by JM to open the public hearing. 4/0 vote. DPW Superintendent Jeff Vincent is recommending that the Board raise the basic water rate 6% and the sewer rate 10%, leaving all other rates as they currently are except for backflow testing. Looming capital needs necessitate even higher rate increases. Sewer rates really should increase 14% and water 8%. After some discussion, the Board felt that it may make sense to raise the rates for six months only, readdressing the issue at that time in the hopes that grant funding or some other funding source may be available. MOTION by JM, seconded by KRF to close the public hearing. 4/0 vote. MOTION by DT, seconded by KRF to increase water rates by
6% beginning May 1, 2010, and to increase sewer rates by 9% beginning May 1, 2010; said increases to be revisited in six months at which time should an additional increase occur that it be capped at 8% for water and 14% for sewer annually. In addition, there will be a flat rate of $213.65 for sewer. It was also voted to increase the backflow test for the first device from $60 to $70 and for each additional test, same location, from $50 to $60. 4/0 vote.
The Finance Committee joined the meeting at 7:30 to review the status of the FY11 budget. The TM went through the capital budget as revised. He mentioned that if the Town lowers the Library budget to $200,000 perhaps we could pick up the accounting as an in-kind service. He also mentioned several DPW needs have been placed back into the budget.
Project Updates: Work on Walker Street should begin within the next few weeks, along with touch-up work on Church Street. Bids are due on Friday, March 26, on Phase II. West Street goes out to bid mid-April.
MOTION by KRF, seconded by JM to approve the consent agenda which included the following:
Intent to join the Southern Berkshire Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program for FY11; Approve A/A seasonal license for Seranak; Appoint Ken Fowler, Frankie Mahoney, Pam Mackie, Kim Flynn, Suzanne Pelton, Lynn Sutton, Jim Terry, Caroline Roche-Pratt and Linda Messana to the Village Improvement Committee; Temporary sign permit for Essencials from April 21-28; Temporary sign permit for Yankee Candle Co. from March 28-April 3; Approve a one-day A/A license for the Lenox Library for March 27 from 8pm-1am; Approve eleven one-day A/A licenses for Seven Hills Inn from 4:30pm-12:30am on 4/30, 5/1, 5/8, 5/29, 5/30, 6/11 (5pm-12:30am), 6/12, 6/19, 6/20, 6/25, 6/26 (with the stipulation that they proceed with an application for an annual liquor license); Appoint James Leahey as Inspector of Animals. 4/0 vote.
Old/New Business: DT asked that the Board consider lowering the number of one-day licenses an establishment may obtain in any year. She also mentioned that a meeting was held with the police and school personnel that was very informative and went very well. LM stated that the Board wishes to go back to signing the payroll and accounts payable warrants. She stated that she would like to see the Town move forward with a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) agreement. She also stated that she would like to evaluate the TM at the April 7 BOS workshop. The Board agreed to move forward with regard to a proposed car show to be held in the downtown area on September 17 and 18. It was mentioned that the Town needs to find a way to erect permanent poles to hang banners along Main Street.
By roll call, LM, DT, KRF and JM voted to go into Executive Session at 8:40 p.m. to discuss union contract negotiations, and to not return to open session.
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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