Minutes of Meeting – May 25, 2011; meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Present: L Messana; J McNinch; D Trancynger; D Roche. Absent: K Fowler.
Citizen’s Participation: The owners of Shots Café appeared before the Board, seeking an Outdoor Dining License. They would like to install 4 tables with 3 chairs each and 8’ tall umbrellas outside. DT felt more comfortable with 3 tables with 3 chairs each, with DR agreeing. MOTION by LM, seconded by DT to approve 3 tables with 3 chairs each. 4/0 vote.
DPW Superintendent Jeff Vincent mentioned a one-time charge of $100/seat for water and sewer for outside dining, with $50 going to water and $50 going to sewer, payable in equal installments over five years. MOTION by LM, seconded by DT to approve said charge. 4/0 vote.
MOTION by DT, seconded by LM to accept the Minutes and Executive Minutes of May 11 as presented. 4/0 vote.
Water/Sewer Rate Hearing: LM read the ad as it appeared in The Berkshire Eagle. MOTION by DT, seconded by DR to open the public hearing. 4/0 vote. DPW Superintendent Jeff Vincent is recommending that the Board raise the basic water rate 10% and the sewer rate 12%, leaving all other rates as they currently are. Looming capital needs necessitate these higher rate increases. In fact, there should be a discussion in the future about other fees that may need to be raised or put into place. MOTION by DT, seconded by LM to close the public hearing. 4/0 vote. MOTION by LM, seconded by DT to increase water rates by 10% beginning May 1, 2011, to increase sewer rates by 12% beginning May1, 2011 and to increase the sewer flat rate to $248.00 effective May 1, 2011. 4/0 vote.
MOTION by DT, seconded by LM to approve a change of manager from Thomas D. May to Kim Noltemy on the Boston Symphony Orchestra seasonal A/A liquor license for Seranak, and to authorize a change of address from 350 West Street to 30 Richmond Mountain Road per a letter received from the Planning Board. 4/0 vote.
Dawn Carberry appeared before the Board to discuss additional details about the Block Party and the British Motor Car Festival. They would like to install a banner cross Main Street and erect a sign at Town Hall; they will be installing billboards around the county, particularly on the turnpike, they will have posters, inserts in The Berkshire Eagle for Lenox and Lenox Dale deliveries, as well as parking and sandwich board signs. DR questioned why Town funds were paying for so much advertising when other functions that come to towns typically do their own advertising. Dawn explained that they are trying to advertise the entire weekend, not just the car show. MOTION by DT, seconded by DR to approve the expenditure of $3000 for advertising for the weekend of July 17-19, as well as two temporary signs and a banner
across Main Street. 4/0 vote.
Visitors Center: The Economic Development Steering Committee recommended to the Board that a contract in the amount of $4500 be awarded to the Lenox Chamber of Commerce for the operation of this season’s Visitor’s Center. MOTION by LM, seconded by DT to award a contract in the amount of $4500 to the Lenox Chamber of Commerce for the operation of this season’s Visitors’ Center. 3/1 vote with JM opposed. MOTION by DT, seconded by LM to locate the Visitor’s Center in the Legacy Room of the Lenox Library, including $2000 for rental costs. 3/1 vote with JM opposed. Ralph Petillo stated that the center will be open for Memorial Day weekend, and fully operational within two weeks..
The Board then discussed installing banners on the lamp posts around the downtown area. The Board agreed that there needed to be a standard “Lenox” name on the bottom of each banner. In addition, they agreed that the Town should sponsor banners for Kennedy Park, Lilac Park Concerts and the Library. The banners would be hung from mid-June through October, probably along Housatonic, Church and Franklin Streets. DR expressed his concern that we are losing the original character of the Town. DT stated that she feels that it brings an awareness of attractions. MOTION by DT, seconded by DR to approve of the concept, and to hold a site visit to determine where and how many banners should be installed. 4/0 vote.
The Board discussed temporary sign/sandwich board sign requests. JM stated that he has a sandwich sign himself and asked if he should recuse himself from the discussion. The Board felt that it would be fine for him to take part. The Board agreed that a process needs to be developed, and that the HDC needs to be involved. They asked that this issue be placed on the HDC agenda for 6/7, and that LM would attend to answer any questions. She, in turn, would report back to the Board at the 6/8 meeting. MOTION by DT, seconded by DR to approve a temporary sandwich board sign for The Scoop. 4/0 vote.
The Board discussed options for the Town’s accounting functions now that the accountant has resigned. The TM explained that he is looking for firms that perform accounting work on a temporary basis, working one day per week. Another option would be to advertise for a part-time 18 hour/week interim accountant, with our auditing firm assisting. Until someone is hired, other staff members will be performing payroll and accounts payable functions. He also explained that he has met with the School Department, and is moving forward with hiring a consultant to look into a finance director scenario. MOTION by DR, seconded by LM to appoint GTF as interim accountant so that he may post the various functions.
Consent Agenda: MOTION by LM, seconded by DT to approve the following one-day licenses: Ventfort Hall on 6/4 from 5-9pm, 6/5 from 6:30-11pm, 6/11 from 6-11pm, 6/18 from 6-11 pm and 6/29 from 6-11pm; Dave Quetti on 6/11 from 5-9pm in the Community Center Ballroom. 4/0 vote.
Old/New Business: DR asked that an article to rescind the article on the May ATM delaying the date when newly elected officials take office be placed on the warrant of the next STM or ATM. MOTION by DR, seconded by LM to place an article on the next STM or ATM warrant to rescind the previously approved article delaying the date when newly elected officials take office. 4/0 vote. DT asked that the “Wish Book” be placed on the table in the BOS meeting room for citizens to enter their requests. LM went over the activities planned for Memorial Day. She asked that business owners sweep the sidewalks in front of their establishments. JM mentioned that there will be a dedication at the Kennedy Park overlook – details to follow. GTF mentioned that the Town currently pays 70% toward
all health insurance for retirees, regardless of plan. He would like to see the Town pay 70% toward the HMOs and an equivalent dollar amount toward the PPO and POS plans as we do with active employees. It was agreed to table this issue at this time.
Meeting adjourned at 9:05pm.
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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