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Minutes of Meeting – August 3, 2011; meeting called to order at 7:00pm.
Present: L Messana; J McNinch; D Roche; K Fowler. Absent: D. Trancynger.
Citizen’s Participation: Carolyn Barry asked if the blacktop near the monument could be repaired while the work is being done on West Street. The TM stated that the area is scheduled to be ground down in the next week or so.
MOTION by LM, seconded by KF to accept the Minutes of July 13 as presented. 4/0 vote.
Board of Assessors Chairman Joe Kellogg and member Scott Pignatelli appeared before the board to review the process that they use when determining assessed values, as well as the appeal/abatement process. Joe explained that the town utilizes the firm of Paul Kapinos to set property values. Values are based upon sales of other properties though there is always a timing lag. Values are set as of January 1 for the fiscal year that starts the following July based on sales that occurred in the previous year or two. In addition, the location of properties has an impact on values. Businesses are often valued based on their income and expenses.
Library Director Sharon Hawkes updated the board on activities currently at the library.
Economic Development Action Plan Update: Eiran Gazit gave a brief update to the board. He asked the board to move forward with installing a wi-fi system in the village area, and eventually in other areas of town – first the center, then the north end, followed by Lenox Dale. The initial cost would be $15,000, with a $1000/month fee for maintenance and band width. Mr. Gazit also suggested that the board consider registering and copy-righting the word “Lenoxology”. In this way, we would be able to regulate its’ use. JM suggested looking into having businesses charge to hook up to wi-fi. The Board agreed that the idea has merit, and asked him to keep moving forward with this project, and continue to obtain costs and funding options that included both private and public funds.
Kennedy Park Overlook: JM explained that with such a large crowd, everyone would not be able to speak. In addition, he asked people to keep their comments brief (2 minutes) and to not repeat something that someone had already said. JM gave a brief summary of the process followed that led up to the construction of the changes to the overlook. Mr. Fieldman spoke next, explaining his time line and how the belvedere came to be. Eric Vincellette stated that the Kennedy Park Committee and Selectmen are volunteers and have the best interests of the town at heart. All meeting agendas were posted and open to the public. Joan Mears stated that she feels that a private memorial should not be located in a public park. She would like to see it removed, and the area returned back to a “happy”
place. Laura Fetherolf is an abutter and questioned why she wasn’t notified about the work. She feels that the granite blocks will pose a safety hazard in the winter (ice), and will be an obstacle for skiers. Cynthia Weil stated that the seating and fire pit are not functional, not natural. Sonya Bykofsky questioned why this project did not fall under the Scenic Mountain Act. She would like to see the granite slabs removed. Suzanne Pelton, Chairman of the Lenox Historical Commission, stated that the project should have been referred to them. Bob Brown asked if there were any elevation plans available, and whether or not a registered engineer was utilized during the project. JM stated that the wall has not been fully stabilized as of yet, nor has an amount been determined for an endowment though both items are to be taken care of. Rose Fitzgerald-Casey, a member of the Conservation Commission, felt that her commission
should have been made aware of this project also. She is concerned about the additional weight added by the granite slabs prior to the wall being stabilized. Hans Reinholt stated that many young, local people have passed away, and he doesn’t believe that any of them would want a memorial like this. He wants to make sure that this doesn’t happen again. Bob Coakley stated that there are several very dedicated individuals who serve on the Kenney Park Committee, and who volunteer to maintain the park. They would never do anything that they thought would ruin the park. They felt that this would be a positive thing. Perhaps some changes can be made to make more people happy. He agreed to host a meeting in the near future to discuss the issue further. Both JM and DR concurred that this issue needs to go back before the Kennedy Park Committee. JM stated that these are volunteer boards, and that the appropriate process
was followed – perhaps the process needs to be reviewed. Gige Darey spoke about the jewel that Kennedy Park is and that he feels sorry for Mr. Fieldman. He went on to say that while not everyone is happy with what has happened, we need to learn from this mistake and move on and make sure that it doesn’t happen again. We need to keep the tourists around by giving them something they can enjoy. Bob Coakley stated that he will set up an evening meeting some time in late August/early September with the Kennedy Park Committee and the Selectmen. The focus of the meeting will be on 1) ideas for softening the impact of the alterations that have been made and 2) suggestions for a more comprehensive and inclusive process for making alterations to public lands. It was suggested that maybe the town needs to look into creating a by-law regarding memorials.
MOTION by LM, seconded by KF to award a contract for engineering services on the Walker Street Sidewalk Project to Foresight Land Services for a total not to exceed $26,500 and to authorize the TM to sign a contract for same. 4/0 vote. JM questioned why we seem to utilize the same engineering firms, and suggested that we shop around with the next project.
MOTION by KF, seconded by LM to award a contract for the reconstruction of the New Lenox Road Sewer Pump Station to Maxymillian at a cost of $1,555,472.55 and to authorize the TM to sign same. 4/0 vote. MOTION by LM, seconded by KF to award a contract for oversight of this project to Weston & Sampson in the amount of $132,000 and to authorize the TM to sign same. 4/0 vote.
Consent Agenda: MOTION by DR, seconded by LM to approve a temporary sign request from the Lenox Youth Basketball Association to erect a banner for two weeks prior to August 12 to advertise their Movie Night, Craft Fair and Pancake Breakfast. 4/0 vote. MOTION by LM, seconded by KF to grant permission for the Josh RunAground to utilize town roads on Sunday, September 18. 4/0 vote. LM questioned if construction on West Street would be an issue, but the TM stated that it shouldn’t be. MOTION by LM, seconded by KF to approve a 6-month agreement with Attorney Frederica McCarthy for Town Counsel services. 4/0 vote. MOTION by LM, seconded by DR to appoint Robert Fuster, Jr. as an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. 4/0 vote. MOTION by KF, seconded by DR to
appoint Billy Soto as a permanent member of the Economic Development Action Plan Steering Committee and Kimberly Reopell Flynn as an alternate member. 4/0 vote. MOTION by LM, seconded by DR to appoint Albert Harper and Bob Romeo to the Historical Commission. 4/0 vote. MOTION by LM, seconded by DR to appoint Scott Pignatelli as an Academy Building Trustee. 4/0 vote. MED to send letters of thanks to Red Steuerwald and Tom Bosworth for their year’s of service to the town. MOTION by LM, seconded by DR to ratify the appointment of Katherine M. Ragusa-Hallock as the part-time clerk for the Inspections Department for 10 hours/week at $15/hour. 4/0 vote. MOTION by DR, seconded by LM to grant permission to Jeremy Yudkin to place a sandwich board sign outside of the library for the next four weekends on Fridays and Saturdays from 11am-2:30pm to advertise pre-concert lectures for the Tanglewood concerts. 4/0 vote.
DR congratulated Price Chopper on the opening of their new store, and thanked the inspectors and fire department for their assistance. MOTION by DR, seconded by LM to pursue the possibility of assisting the Town of Stockbridge by extending our ambulance coverage south to Interlaken Road, with payment to be received by Stockbridge for this service. 4/0 vote. Bob Romeo brought up the Town app idea that the Economic Development Action Plan Steering Committee is exploring. He also suggested that when the Board re-evaluates the composition of this committee, they consider combining the group with the Economic Development Committee. Chamber Director Ralph Petillo read a citation that he received from the State House recognizing the tub parade event as the “Tub Parade Weekend of the Guilded Age”, a state
recognized historic event.
Old/New Business: LM questioned the number of members on the Community Center Board. She was reminded that the composition had been reduced down from nine to seven. DR asked Ralph for an update on the banners. He stated that all of the prototypes are now complete, and once approved, the banners will be made. DR suggested that in order to save money, we consider waiting until next year to erect them. JM informed the Board that a new restaurant, Asian Breeze, will be offering BYOB. He questioned whether the Board had any say as to requiring TIPS certified personnel.
Meeting adjourned at 9:25pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Director of Administrative Services Board of Selectmen
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