Minutes of Meeting – May 12, 2010; meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Present: L Messana; D Trancynger; J McNinch; KR Flynn; KL Fowler.
MOTION by DT, seconded by KRF to accept the Minutes and Executive Minutes of April 28 as presented. 5/0 vote.
Reorganization: MOTION by DT, seconded by KF to appoint Kim Reopell Flynn as chairman. 5/0 vote. MOTION by JM, seconded by DT to appoint Linda Procopio Messana as clerk. 5/0 vote.
KRF announced that there will be a STM on 5/27 at 7pm in the Town Hall to vote on the remaining three articles from the ATM.
KRF recused herself as she is employed by Attorney Heller. Attorney Phil Heller appeared before the Board to discuss the conservation restriction on the hillside behind the Aspenwell housing project. This easement prohibits any building on the 9.36 acres located in the northern portion of this property. MOTION by JM, seconded by DT to approve of the conservation restriction on this property, and to finalize the necessary paperwork. 5/0 vote.
Ralph Petillo spoke on behalf of Andrew DeVries, and presented the Board with a plot plan as to where he would like to place 27 of his sculptures around Town – 14 on town-owned land, with the balance being located on private property. MOTION by LM, seconded by DT to approve the locations for the 14 sculptures to be placed on Town-owned land as presented. 5/0 vote.
The TM updated the Board on the Town’s on-going energy efforts, and how they relate to our fulfillment of the requirements of the green communities act. Specifically, a five-year plan to reduce our energy costs by 20% has been put together, as well as the fuel efficient vehicles plan that was approved at the last meeting. MOTION by LM, seconded by JM to approve the 5-year Energy Use Baseline and Reduction Plan as presented. 5/0 vote.
The TM explained that once again, we had another overflow situation at the Brunell pumping station, and that DEP has now demanded that corrective actions be taken. They will not allow the Town to extend the sewer line down along West Street and to Tanglewood until the issue is taken care of. The Board agreed to approve hiring Weston & Sampson to perform an I/I Study and Action Plan. The Board approved the first two aspects of this effort at a cost not to exceed $7500. Total cost for the corrective actions could exceed $100,000.
Village Phase II Update: Work on Walker Street sidewalks continues; pipe work on Franklin Street will begin this week, with Housatonic Street to follow.
Sewer Finances: At the ATM, there was a sentiment that the Town should repay to the general fund, from the sewer enterprise fund, the $400,000 that was voted in Article 5 to support the sewer department expenditures. Accordingly, MOTION by LM, seconded by KF to pay back the $400,000 out of the sewer enterprise fund back into the general fund the amount of $400,000 within the next ten years. 5/0 vote.
MOTION by DT, seconded by LM to approve the consent agenda which included the following:
One-Day W&M license to Fran Vahle for a class reunion at the Community Center ballroom on 6/26 from 7-11pm; One-Day W&M license to the Historical Society for 5/14 from 5:30-7:30pm at The Academy; One-Day Auctioneer’s license to Phil Jacquier Inc. for an auction to be held at 667East Street on 7/24 from 10am-4pm; Temporary sign announcing the Lenox Art Walk on Memorial Day weekend; Temporary sign announcing the Church on the Hill craft fair from July 17-25; a Common Victualler’s license for Shots Cafe 5/0 vote.
David Hicks from Legacy Banks appeared before the Board seeking permission to install a directional sign on town property, within the public right-of-way, in front of their bank on Main Street. MOTION by JM, seconded by LM to approve said request pending review by the Planning Board and HDC. 4/0 vote with KF abstaining.
Old/New Business: JM is upset with how the Board is perceived by the Town. The Board needs to be more transparent and have discussions on camera rather than in workshops. The Board discussed the possibility of a charter change whereby controversial/large expenditures could be by ballot vote rather than a Town Meeting vote. JM suggested that special interest articles should be placed at the end of the warrants. LM was upset that the Farmer’s Market began prior to Mother’s Day. She also was upset that while the rent stayed at $1000, the $500 security deposit was eliminated. TM stated that they will be responsible for repairing any damage that occurs. KRF mentioned that the Library stated that they would be interesting in hosting next year’s markets in Reading Park. DT
questioned why the library is not interested in having the Town perform in-kind accounting services. KRF stated that with a $600,000 budget, the library needs to be more transparent with their budget. She asked that the library attend the May 26 BOS meeting to give an update. MOTION by LM, seconded by DT to appoint Ken Fowler to join KRF on the Library Board. 5/0 vote. It was agreed that they would assist the TM in preparing the new contract between the Town and the Library. KF asked if bike racks could be installed around town. Suggested locations included Lilac Park, Main Street, Housatonic Street and Church Street.
The Board received two applications for appointment to the Finance Committee. It was agreed to allow the FinCom time to review the second application before any appointments are made.
The Board discussed the trolley car that traveled between the Town of Lee and Prime Outlets last year. The TM stated that businesses could purchase a stop at their location for approximately $3000/year. The cost to have this service would be approximately $18,000/year for Lenox. The Board agreed that this is a worthwhile project to pursue.
KRF asked the TM to put together a letter of support for the Lenox Center project for review at the
May 26 BOS meeting
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 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
Director of Administrative Services
Town Hall - 6 Walker Street
Lenox, MA 01240
phone: (413) 637-5500
fax: (413) 637-5518
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