Minutes of Meeting – September 21, 2011; meeting called to order at 7:00pm.
Present: J McNinch; D Roche; K Fowler; D Trancynger; L Messana.
Citizen’s Participation: None.
MOTION by DT, seconded by DR to accept the Minutes of August 31 as presented. 4/0 vote with LM abstaining.
Update on Shared Services Consultant Interviews: Interviews will be held with the School Committee on Monday, September 26.
Sculpture Now: Ann Jon appeared before the Board seeking permission to exhibit sculptures in 2012. There will be 16-20 pieces located on Walker, Main and Kemble Streets from the end of May through the end of October. The designated locations will be on both public and private lands. DR asked if some sculptures could be displayed in Lenox Dale, but Ann Jon stated that she could not promise that. MOTION by LM, seconded by KF to approve the above with the stipulation that the Board get final approval on all sculptures prior to installation. 5/0 vote.
Wind Energy: DR suggested that the town form a balanced committee to focus on the pros and cons of wind energy in Lenox, with a deadline of January 1, 2012 to make a report. He doesn’t want to see this disrupt the Town’s current solar efforts. LM stated that the Board is not an expert on wind, but that we owe it to the taxpayers to explore it. KF feels that it is vital to have as much information as possible and to explore all options available. DT agreed that we owe it to the Town to continue to explore, and that we need to have experts come in. JM stated that he is a strong proponent of wind energy, and all other forms of alternative energy. Lenox Environmental Committee member Scott Laugenour believes that public forums should be held to educate the citizens on energy issues.
Joanne Magee agrees with a research panel being put together. She feels that the focus should only be on wind as solar is far less contentious. However, she feels that solar should continue to move forward. Donna Lefkowitz would like all sources of energy fully researched, and offered to serve on a committee. The Board was reminded that Richmond and Lenox share a mountain, and that communication is critical between the two towns. Neil Pelton from Richmond is concerned with the large size of the towers, the many homes in the proposed vicinity and what the towers could do to the ecology of the area, not to mention the natural beauty. Jonas Dovydenas suggested that the panel focus on specific issues of this particular site. Susan May questioned if there would be one or two turbines. MOTION by DT, seconded by LM to move to form a balanced research panel with three “pros” members and three “cons” members, with
KF serving as a non-voting moderator of the group, with a deadline of January 1, 2012 to submit their report to the Board. 4/0 vote with DT abstaining. The Board asked those interested in serving on this panel to submit letters of interest to their office.
EDAPSC Update: The Committee’s new recommendation is to remove the wi-fi issue from the action plan. They reminded everyone of the public forum to be held on Tuesday, September 27 at 7pm. MOTION by KF, seconded by DR to pull the wi-fi issue from the action plan, but to proceed with strong hotspots at the Library and Town Hall. 5/0 vote.
Town Owned Open Space: The Board discussed the various town owned lands, and the need for better management plans. Katie McNulty Vaughan stated that the Planning Board has talked about rewriting/updating the open space plan. JM agreed to meet with Joe Kellogg and Gene Chague to discuss efforts on a new open space plan.
Sharon Hawkes updated the board on current activities at the library. Circulation is slightly up, with computer use slightly down. The book sale brought in approximately $19,000.
The Board read the list of current board vacancies, and agreed to place them on the Town’s web site.
The Board then discussed the current Economic Development Action Plan Steering Committee, and their desire to reform it to a Marketing and Events Committee, with a new mission and charge. KF proposed that Scott Laugenour work solo until a new committee could be put into place. It was agreed to have the EDAPSC recommend the new mission and charge. The EDAPSC will remain in place until the new committee is formed.
MOTION by LM, seconded by KF to hire James Roche as Equipment Operator, replacing Joe Goetze who recently retired. 4/0 vote with DR abstaining.
MOTION by DT, seconded by KF to ratify the appointment of Justin Kimball and Dan Sintoni as part-time relief firefighters/EMTs. 5/0 vote.
Consent Agenda: MOTION by LM, seconded by DR to approve sending a letter to the Department of Housing and Community Development seeking technical assistance of a peer consultant to assist the Affordable Housing Committee; grant a seasonal B&B license to Ken and Carol Kelly, 74 King William Road. 5/0 vote. MOTION by KF, seconded by LM to accept the resignation of Roscoe Sandlin from the Affordable Housing Trust and Suzanne Pelton from the Historical Commission, and have MED send letters of thanks for their services; grant a one-day A/A license to Cameron House for 10/5 from 4:30-6:30pm; grant a one-day W&M license to Ventfort Hall for 10/1 from 2-11pm; grant a one-day W&M license to Ventfort Hall for 10/8 from 7:30-11pm; grant a one-day W&M license to Elizabeth Tierney for 10/16 from 3:30-6pm at the Lenox
Library. 5/0 vote.
MOTION by JM, seconded by DT to grant a two-week temporary sign request to Patisserie Lenox. 2/2 vote with LM and DR opposed and KF abstaining. MOTION by DR, seconded by LM to grant a two-week temporary sign request to Jewelz. 3/0 vote with DT and KF abstaining. MOTION by JM, seconded by DR to grant a two-week temporary sign request at the Library to Housatonic Valley Arts Center. 5/0 vote.
Old/New Business: DR updated the Board on a meeting of the FinCom that he recently attended. DT asked that an All Boards meeting be set up to discuss the different boards and committees priorities and to keep the lines of communication open. She thanked the EDAPSC for all their hard work. LM went through the employee anniversaries. She asked people to please be patient with regard to web site updates as the Town Hall staff is stretched very thin and doing the best they can. She also reminded everyone that this weekend is Apple Squeeze weekend. JM mentioned the Caroling Festival Fundraiser.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Director of Administrative Services Board of Selectmen
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