Minutes of Meeting – April 27, 2011; meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Present: L Messana; KR Flynn; K Fowler; J McNinch. Absent: D Trancynger.
Citizen’s Participation: Ralph Petillo from the Chamber updated the Board on the British Motorcar Festival: arrangements have been made for trash receptacles, dumpsters and recycling containers; only one travel lane will be blocked off up to the Legacy Bank to allow for the use of the parking lot; the electricity is being checked to determine if it will meet the needs of the band; nine food vendors have signed up, with seven being from Lenox; Nejaime’s will have a wine and beer concession stand; he is still working on extra parking and signage – he spoke with Shakespeare & Co. and they are working on banners for the light poles, and should have information ready for the May 11 BOS meeting.
Lynn Sutton reminded everyone that Saturday, April 30 is Clean-up Day and asked those interested in helping to meet at 8am. MOTION by KF, seconded by LM to approve of April 30 as Clean-up Day in Lenox. 4/0 vote.
MOTION by LM, seconded by JM to accept the Minutes of April 13 as presented. 4/0 vote.
The Board welcomed our guests from Pakistan, and presented them with proclamations naming
April 27 as Pakistan Day in Lenox. Najeeb Alam and Fazal Hussain are visiting the US to get a better understanding about local, state and federal government, the American culture and as ambassadors from Pakistan.
Two members of the LMMHS Relief Club appeared before the Board to provide an overview of their April vacation in New Orleans where 13 students assisted with housing projects. They thoroughly enjoyed their stay, and hope to be able to visit again. Chaperon Don Fitzgerald praised the excellent work the students completed and how they conducted themselves.
Sharon Hawkes explained what dictates the library budget: circulation, programs and utility costs, and then she updated the Board on current activities at the Lenox Library.
East Street traffic: Ellen Lanciano of 880 East Street appeared before the Board requesting that the heavy traffic and speed be reviewed on her end of East Street, and that appropriate signage be installed should changes occur. The Board agreed to have the DPW Superintendent and Police Chief look into the matter further.
LM read the advertisement for the change of manager and change of location on the Price Chopper W&M license. MOTION by JM, seconded by LM to open the public hearing on a request received from Price Chopper for a change of manager and change of location. 4/0 vote. Manager Jim Collins appeared before the Board explaining that he is the new manager, that the building is simply relocating to a new location across the parking lot and that all policies will remain the same. MOTION by LM, seconded by KF to close the public hearing. 4/0 vote. MOTION by LM, seconded by KF to grant the change of manager and change of location on the Price Chopper W&M license. 4/0 vote.
Outdoor sculptures: Approximately two dozen sculptures from eleven artists will be utilizing the same public space that DeVries and the Sculpture Now shows used plus possibly two more along with displays on private property. They will be on display from May 15-October 17, 2011. They are proposing that a portion of any sales be given to the new Alliance for Arts and Humanities and to the Welles Gallery at the Library. MOTION by LM, seconded by KF to grant approval for the 2011 Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition as requested. 4/0 vote.
Consent Agenda items: MOTION by JM, seconded by LM to adopt a new fee schedule for Building Permits as presented, effective May 1, 2011. 4/0 vote. MOTION by KF, seconded by LM to appoint Barbara Sims, Debbie Prew and Kelly Wickliff to the Village Improvement Committee. 4/0 vote. MOTION by LM, seconded by KF to appoint Reggie Cooper as an alternate member of the Economic Development Action Plan Steering Committee. 4/0 vote. There was some discussion with Scott Laugenour and Eiran Gazit and their desire to have more diversity on the committee, but the Board felt that Mr. Cooper would be an excellent member as he represents one of the larger businesses in Town (Canyon Ranch). MOTION by LM, seconded by JM to appoint Lucy Kennedy to the Finance Committee. 4/0 vote. The Board agreed to
wait until their May 11 meeting to make an appointment to the Community Center Board so that previous applicants could be contacted to determine whether or not they are still interested, and to the ADA Commission so that the TM would have time to determine the exact charge of the commission. MOTION by LM, seconded by KF to approve a one-day W&M license for 5/13 from 5:30-9:30pm in the Community Center living room and lunch room, a one-day W&M license for Miss Halls School for a reception at the Lenox Library on 5/12 from 6-8pm, and a one-day W&M license to Dianne Romeo for 5/11 from 5:30-8pm at the St. Ann Parish Center; approve a reserve fund transfer in the amount of $8500 to cover repairs to the ladder truck, replacement of the heater at the New Lenox Station and the extra fuel expenses from the Cranwell fire and approve of the Memorial Parade being held on May 30 at 12:00 in Lenox and 8:00am in Lenox Dale. 4/0 vote.
ATM: The Board went through the various ATM warrant articles.
Old/New Business: KF stated that he wants to make sure that the Town stays on top of the river clean-up, and that conversations with the Town of Lee occur. He agreed to be the Boards representative. LM offered to contact the VFW about holding a town-wide Memorial Day picnic. KRF read an announcement that the state is looking for office space for the Department of Children and Families, and that the deadline to submit a proposal is 5/18 at 2pm.
By roll call, LM, KRF, JM and KF 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
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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