Minutes of Meeting – December 14, 2011; meeting called to order at 7:00pm.
Present: J McNinch; D Roche; D. Trancynger; L Messana. Absent: K Fowler.
Citizen’s Open Forum: Terry Weaver requested a No Thru Truck Traffic sign for traffic going through town.
MOTION by DT, seconded by DR to accept the Minutes of November 30 as presented. 3/0 vote with LM abstaining.
Lynn Sutton, accompanied by other members of the Village Improvement Committee, came before the Board to give them an update on activities of the committee. They did a very successful spring clean-up with the National Honor Society students helping. They did several hundred summer perennial plantings with David Rist keeping them watered. Just recently, with the help of Dennis Field and his assistant Gary and Scott Pignatelli and his employees, the town was decorated for the holiday season.
The Board reviewed the annual license renewal listing. MOTION by DT, seconded by DR to approve the annual license renewals as presented, with the exception of the entertainment license held by Bennington Bear (Village Inn) and all licenses held by Tucon (Heritage House). 4/0 vote. MOTION by DR, seconded by DT to approve the annual license renewals for Tucon (Heritage House) as presented. 3/0 with JM recusing himself. The Board reminded everyone to stop into the Town Hall to pick up their new licenses prior to December 31. The Board discussed the entertainment license for Rumpy’s Tavern/Bennington Bear and the fact that there have been 26 police incidents since 2006, and three letters in the past two weeks complaining of noise issues. LM suggested that the entertainment end at 11pm. DR
suggested reviewing this after six months. MOTION by LM, seconded by DT to pull the Village Inn existing entertainment license. MOTION by DR, seconded by DT to amend the current entertainment license to have entertainment cease at 11pm until a hearing can be scheduled. 4/0 vote.
Resident Judy Pieschel stated that it is an intolerable situation. MOTION by LM, seconded by DT to hold a hearing on the issuance of their 2012 entertainment license. 4/0 vote. They also wanted to clarify that all alcohol and people should be cleared by 1am.
MOTION by DR, seconded by LM to approve the change of manager at Cranwell Resort from Lewis Kiesler to Carl Pratt. 4/0 vote.
Wind Panel Update: Joanne Magee and Jim Harwood, members of the research panel, appeared before the board, explaining that they are trying to find a common ground on very complex, technical issues – health, environmental impact and finance. Health: those living close are negatively impacted; Environmental: need multi-sensor study and look into concerns over watershed impact; Finance: Cost items are missing. Most of the panel members want to do more about energy use, but what? They are aiming for a mid-January wrap-up. Information is beginning to be posted to the Town’s website for residents to view.
Solar Project Update: The TM mentioned that there is some town-owned land behind Bentrup Court, and the possibility of the town obtaining some additional land from a resident. This land would meet at the top of the landfill area, allowing for a larger array of solar panels to be installed. This would be considered Phase II, and would involve neighborhood metering. He went on to say that we are still negotiating the contract language, and that hopefully it will be ready some time in January. We are anticipating a spring construction, which will take 6-9 months for completion. MOTION by DT, seconded by LM to designate Jeffrey P. Grandchamp a special municipal employee. 4/0 vote. Attorney Grandchamp is the attorney that the town is utilizing to negotiate the solar contract. He also mentioned
that he would like to put together an RFP to utilize one vendor for those interested in taking advantage of the town’s mini-solar grants in the hopes of gaining more interest. The Board agreed that the town should pursue this approach.
JM brought up board vacancies and whether members need to be registered voters/Lenox residents: you must be for the FinCom; other boards and committees you do not.
The Board then held a discussion regarding their priority projects. The TM reminded them that we are trying to have the different committees come before the Board with updates. LM is waiting for the new mayor to take office in Pittsfield to continue with the sewer project. DR stated that the marketing and events group is off to a good start. DT asked the TM for an update on the shared services project. He stated that the firm should be in town within the next week or two to begin interviewing employees, with their final report due mid-January. She also asked for an update on health insurance. The TM stated that he believes that the consensus is to go with what we currently offer with a uniform contribution rate. DT also mentioned that if anyone had information about, or owned any open space
that they feel would be appropriate for the Town to include in our open space, to please contact the office.
The TM explained that while Sean Ward has served the Town well as Veterans’ Agent, he would prefer to only take care of the ceremonial issues. It has been suggested that the Town consider hiring Rosanne Frier to handle the paperwork related to benefits. She has offered to work every other Wednesday beginning at 4:30pm for 2-2 ½ hours. MOTION by DR, seconded by LM to sub-contract with Roseanne Frier to hold hours every other week, to be reviewed after six months, at an annual stipend of $3000-$3500. 4/0 vote.
Consent Agenda: MOTION by DR, seconded by DT to grant a temporary banner permit to Lenox Fitness Center from 12/14-27, a sandwich board sign to The Scoop from 12/17-30 and a banner to NBT Bank for 1/2-15. 4/0 (3/0 with LM abstaining on the banner to Lenox Fitness Center.) MOTION by DT, seconded by DR to hire Denene Pelkey as the part-time Inspector’s Office Clerk for 10 hours/week at a rate of $15, with a start date of 12/19/11. 4/0 vote.
Old/New Business: LM went through the employee anniversaries. KF entered the meeting at 8:25pm. He wanted to let everyone know how many calls and comments he receives about how well the Board is doing. DT commented on how nice the Caroling Festival was over the weekend.
By roll call, LM, DR, JM, KF and DT voted to go into Executive Session at 8:30 p.m. to discuss 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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