Minutes of Meeting – August 4, 2010; meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Present: L Messana; KR Flynn; K Fowler; J McNinch. Absent: D Trancynger.
Citizen’s Participation: Harvey Waller appeared before the Board to update them on events surrounding the Berkshire Coaching Weekend. It will be held on October 1-3, and he is requesting permission to utilize town roads to accommodate the carriages. MOTION by LM, seconded by JM to grant permission for the Berkshire Coaching Weekend to utilize town roads for their events to be held on October 1-3. 4/0 vote. He also updated them on the Tub Parade which will be held on Saturday, September 11, and requested permission to hang a temporary banner across Main Street for two weeks prior. MOTION by LM, seconded by JM to grant permission for a temporary banner to be hung across Main Street for two weeks prior to the Tub Parade which is scheduled for 9/11. 4/0 vote.
MOTION by LM, seconded by KF to accept the Minutes and Executive Minutes of July 14 as presented. 4/0 vote.
KRF mentioned that the Town is still seeking names of those interested in serving on the Recreation Path Committee. They have currently received approximately 13 letters of interest, but would like to see individuals from the Dale, New Lenox Road and Roaring Brook Road areas so that a broader area is represented. On another note, the TM stated that he spoke with Olver’s office, and he is supportive of using the funding for an alternate design, as long as it is still part of the north-south route. MA DOT, however, feels strongly that the funding should be used only for roads eligible for federal aid. This would exclude Housatonic Street.
Car Show: Promoters of the September car show appeared to give an overview of their progress to date. They explained that the cars/motorcycles would be parked along Main Street from the monument to Franklin Street. Housatonic Street would become 2-way on Sunday to accommodate the traffic. They are hoping to sign up car enthusiast-type vendors to sell merchandise. In addition, monies will be donated to a food bank. The Board requested a copy of the vendor list once completed. In addition, they felt that a contract should be signed with the Town. There was a question as to why Soldiers On was asked to be involved, but the local VFW has not been. Owners of Loeb’s and Clearwater Foods stated that they were not aware of what was occurring, and were fearful of losing business to outside
vendors. Earl Albert asked if traffic could cross Main Street to Sunset to accommodate his patrons. The Board assured the group that a meeting would be scheduled with Housatonic Street merchants and the Chamber.
Library Update: Sharon Hawkes updated the Board on events held at the Library during the month of July, such as summer reading and going green programs.
Eight roads are slated for street paving during the months of September and October: East Dugway, Pine Crest, Martha Lane, Sullivan Lane, Birchwood, Chestnut, Pine Knoll and Delafield. MOTION by JM, seconded by LM to approve a contract with LB Corp. for a total not to exceed $1,020,030.07 for these eight roads, and to authorize the TM to sign a contract for same. 4/0 vote. MOTION by JM, seconded by LM to approve a contract with Gorman Brothers for a total not to exceed $66,990 for the milling of Holmes Road, and to authorize the TM to sign a contract for same. 4/0 vote. MOTION by JM, seconded by LM to approve a contract with Weston & Sampson for a total not to exceed $90,000 for engineering for a new water tank. 4/0 vote.
Alison Sneider appeared before the Board to seek a more formal process for homeowners to be able to cut down diseased or dead trees that are within the Town easement. KRF recused herself from the discussion, and asked LM to act as chairman. Ms. Sneider would like to give the authority to homeowners to take on the responsibility for tree removal at their property. She suggested that a policy could be instituted wherein the homeowner would contact the Tree Warden. If he determined that the tree was a hazard and should be removed, then a permit from the Town would be obtained, a licensed and insured tree removal company would be hired to remove the tree, and a new tree from an approved list supplied by the Tree Warden would be planted in its place. The Board agreed to discuss further at their next meeting.
KRF re-entered the meeting.
There was a discussion as to the need for Eastover to install a master water meter which would serve the property through one main connection to the Town’s water main. The new owners are making upgrades to the property, and should be notified officially of their need to upgrade the water connection. MOTION by KF, seconded by LM to notify the new owners of Eastover of the need to install a master water meter which would serve the property through one main connection to the Town’s water main by November 15, 2010. 4/0 vote.
MOTION by LM, seconded by KF to purchase at a cost of $2262, and have the DPW erect two aluminum poles on either side of Main Street (hidden within the trees, if possible) to accommodate temporary banners, said poles to be removed during the winter months. 4/0 vote.
MOTION by KF, seconded by LM to approve the consent agenda which included the following: One-Day W&M license to Ventfort Hall for 8/9 from 7-9pm; One-Day W&M license to Ventfort Hall for 8/16 from 7-9pm; One-Day W&M license to Deborah Prew for the Lenox Dale Block Party on 8/21 from 6-11:30; One-Day W&M license to the Lenox VFW Post 12079 for 8/14 from 5-8pm; Permission to utilize Town roads for the Josh Billings RunAground on 9/12; Temporary Sign request from Essencials for one week prior to 8/12 to announce their Medical Spa Open House; Permission for the Lenox VFW to use Lilac Park to hold a lobster bake on 8l/14 from 5-8pm, with W&M allowed; Permission for a temporary gazebo informational sign to be erected in Lilac Park and to have the Planning Board and HDC review the sign permit to allow the sign on
Town property for the duration of the gazebo project; Approve the borrowing of $186,000 through a State House Note to cover the cost of the new fire truck that replaces engine 1; Approve a contract with the Lee Regional Visiting Nurse Association in the amount of $6500, and authorize the TM to sign a contract for same; permission for Violet Vale to set up a lemonade stand outside of the Library one Friday in August. 4/0 vote.
MOTION by LM, seconded by JM to proclaim August 14 as Liberty Tree Day. 4/0 vote. There was some discussion regarding the installation of two BRTA shelters on the corner of Main and Franklin Streets LM questioned if there were any other design options. The Board agreed to the concept of the BRTA shelters, and to have the HDC look at the request and then refer it back to the Board with their recommendation.
Old/New Business: KRF mentioned that there is a vacancy on the Village Improvement Committee and the Finance Committee, and anyone interested in serving should submit a letter of interest to the Town. MOTION by JM, seconded by LM to continue to hold the A/A license held by the EconoLodge until such time as their kitchen is in full compliance. 4/0 vote. LM asked the TM for an update on the canoe launch. He stated that it should be all set by the end of August/early September. She also went through the various employee anniversaries.
Jim Harwood questioned how the Town wanted to move forward with fundraising for the gazebo. The Board agreed to discuss this at their next meeting. The Board stated that they liked the design of the informational sign, and that perhaps it could be used for the proposed wayfinder signs.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Director of Administrative Services Board of Selectmen
_________________________
Mary Ellen Deming
Director of Administrative Services
Town Hall - 6 Walker Street
Lenox, MA 01240
phone: (413) 637-5500
fax: (413) 637-5518
_________________________
| 
