Minutes of Meeting – August 25, 2010; meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Present: L Messana; KR Flynn; K Fowler; J McNinch; D Trancynger.
MOTION by LM, seconded by JM to accept the Minutes of August 4 as amended. 5/0 vote.
The Board met with the members of the Lenox Housing Authority to hold a joint session to vote a member to the Housing Authority to replace Midge Sandlin. By ballot vote, there were eight votes for Marge Pero and one for Sue Dana. Marge Pero is the new member of the Housing Authority Board.
The Board discussed appointments to the Recreation Path Committee. They would still like to see a broader range of individuals, i.e., Lenox Dale, and will put off appointments until 9/15 meeting.
The Board discussed how to put together a Gazebo Fundraising Committee. The Board felt that having a Town-sanctioned group was a better way to go. They asked that anyone interested in serving submit a letter of interest to the office. They will make these appointments at their 9/15 meeting.
Last fall, when the Board discussed increasing the local room tax from 4% to 6%, there was also some discussion about a local meals tax of .75%. It is anticipated that this new tax could bring in as much as $200,000 annually. A Town Meeting is required to approve this tax. If we have a Fall STM, the tax could go into effect January 2011, or if we wait until the May ATM, it could go into effect in July 2011. The Board agreed to hold a public forum at 6pm on Wednesday, September 29.
At the last Selectmen’s meeting, the Board discussed adopting a Tree Policy which would formalize how homeowners can go about removing dying/dead trees that are in the Town ROW. After reviewing it, MOTION by LM, seconded by JM to approve the Tree Policy as written. 5/0 vote.
Promoters for the car show appeared before the Board to update them on the status of the events. They are looking for permission to erect temporary banners and signage, outdoor displays at the Lenox Commons and Brushwood Farms, a Mix and Mingle at The Yankee Inn, and allowing the cruise to go through Town from 7:45-8:30pm on Saturday evening. They mentioned that Kimball Farms will no longer be offering shuttle service, and that they are working to set something else up. DT stated that she is disappointed that the show has moved to the Lenox Commons, and that this is a missed opportunity for the village area. Carolyn Barry asked for permission to include vintage cars and fire trucks to the downtown area (Triangle Park, Roche Reading Park, Lenox National Bank) as part of this event. It was felt, however, that this
was an entirely new event and should not be incorporated at this time. MOTION by LM, seconded by KF to approve the above requests as they relate to the car show. 5/0 vote.
West Street: The Board discussed if homeowners located on West Street would be required to hook into the new sewer if they currently have a fully-functioning on-site septic system. The Board agreed that they would not be required to hook-up until such time that their system fails. In order for homeowners to receive a waiver from hook-up, they would be required to present proof of a functioning on-site septic system by providing a certified Title V inspection that states that the system passed said inspection. MOTION by LM, seconded by DT to not require homeowners to hook-up to the sewer being installed on West Street if they currently have a fully-functioning on-site septic system and to allow them to obtain a waiver from the Town. However, if Tri-Town Health determines that it does not pass a Title 5
inspection, they will then be required to hook up. 5/0 vote.
MOTION by LM, seconded by JM to approve the consent agenda which included the following: Class II license to Donovan Motor Car Service; Declaration of the availability of the Old Center School for lease; appointment of Ned Douglas to the Finance Committee and Claire Cantone to the Historic District Commission; One-Day W&M license to Adrienne Miesmer for 9/4 from 4:30-7pm at the Welles Gallery; One-Day A/A license to Berkshire Grown for 9/20 from 6:30-8:30pm at Eastover; award contract to Paul Kapinos for the FY11-13 assessing at a total cost of $93,000and authorize the TM to sign a contract for same. 5/0 vote.
Old/New Business: KRF mentioned that Board members, the TM and Town Planner will be going around Town to seek input from the merchants about economic development. She mentioned that BRPC is holding a dinner meeting should anyone be interested in attending. She also mentioned that the Town received a letter from Lowell, MA asking the Board to petition to have health insurance plan designs placed outside of collective bargaining. KF asked for an update on the bike racks, and LM asked about additional recycling bins around Town. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Director of Administrative Services 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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