Minutes of Meeting – November 28, 2012; meeting called to order at 7:00pm. Present: Ken Fowler;
Ed Lane; Channing Gibson; Dave Roche; John McNinch.
Citizen’s Open Forum: Frank Newton, representing the Chamber of Commerce, informed the Board that they had approached the Marketing/Events Committee, and received endorsement for, a $250 allocation to cover costs for the upcoming Inn Tour. He stated that the funds will be used for graphics and a brochure. He asked the Board to concur. MOTION by DR, seconded by CG to grant the $250 to support the Inn Tour. 5/0 vote.
MOTION by CG, seconded by JM to accept the Minutes of November 14 as presented. 5/0 vote.
EL updated the Board on the recent bid opening for the door and entry way projects at the Community Center. He explained that there are a few questions to be resolved and possible other approaches to the project, thus the Board may want to table this item for now. MOTION by JM, seconded by DR to table this issue until the 12/12 BOS meeting. 5/0 vote.
DLTA Grants: The TM explained that there is a third round of support for the Rest of River clean-up project as well as some additional group purchasing assistance. JM questioned if the Town could apply for assistance with regard to regionalization. The TM will look into it. MOTION by JM, seconded by DR to move forward with these grants. 5/0 vote.
Church on the Hill Cemetery: The Board discussed the condition of many of the headstones and the danger they present. The Town’s insurance company is recommending that we post signs asking people to be careful. It was agreed to authorize funding for signage (18” square) at the 4 to 5 locations that allow access to the cemetery, and to have them posted ASAP. JM suggested that Town funds be utilized, rather than CPA funds since the $50,000 CPA funding allocated for this project did not include these signs. Lucy Kennedy from the Historical Commission suggested that the signage try to be “friendly”. MOTION by DR, seconded by JM to post the signs in the cemetery as recommended by Town Counsel per size and verbiage as recommended by the Town insurance company. 5/0 vote.
Library Bell: The Board stated their support for using remaining funds ($2000) in the Library Painting Project line item to fix the mechanisms that operate the bell located in the cupola of the library building. DR stated that perhaps George Jordan, who originally suggested a fundraising campaign to repair the bell, be asked to assist the Library in their fundraising efforts. MOTION by DR, seconded by EL to utilize Town capital dollars, not CPA dollars, to repair the bell in the cupola. 5/0 vote.
FY14 Budget: DR stated that the Town needs to know what we are planning for, and hopefully avoid hitting any fiscal cliff. We need to address the challenges and come up with a plan. KF stated that we need to be careful and decide what we want and what choices need to be made. EL reminded everyone that Lenox is better off than most towns. The Board agreed that the Town is not facing its own version of a fiscal cliff and that by undertaking the long range planning underway we should be able to chart a successful course despite the challenge.
Consent Agenda: MOTION by JM, seconded by DR to grant permission to the Lenox Fitness Center and Essencials Day Spa for a temporary banner from 11/29-12/13. 5/0 vote. The Board received an application for a sandwich board sign from That’s a Wrap on Franklin Street. Lucy Kennedy, as a member of the HDC, stated that they had already approved a sign at that location. The Board held a brief discussion regarding placing a sign in front of a business vs. in front of a building. In addition, it needs to be decided if sandwich board signs will only be allowed in the village area, in the commercial area in Lenox Dale and in Lenox Commons or if the Route 7 & 20 corridor will be included. MOTION by JM, seconded by CG to grant permission for a sandwich board sign at That’s a Wrap at 18 Franklin
Street. 5/0 vote. The Board also received an application for a sandwich board sign from Electra’s Café. MOTION by JM, seconded by DR to approve the request from Electra’s Café for a sandwich board sign at 439 Pittsfield Road. 3/2 vote with CG and EL opposed. Sandwich board sign owners were reminded that current approvals end December 31. JM asked that the Inspections Department receive notice of those signs approved by the Board. MOTION by CG, seconded by DR to appoint Lauryn Franzoni to the Events Committee. 5/0 vote.
BOS Reports: JM stated that the Watershed Committee is moving forward, and the Open Space Committee will start up in January. CG stated that CPC applications are due in December. He suggested that we consider looking into outdoor recreation funding. He stated that he would like to see the Chamber of Commerce be involved with the Events Committee. It was suggested that the Board hold a special meeting to discuss marketing of the Town. DR asked that the state review traffic patterns at Route 7 & 20 and Holmes Road. He is aware that the Police Chief has sent a letter, which he would like the Board to support. He also mentioned that there was a meeting earlier with members of the School Committee regarding funding retiree health insurance. Finally, he mentioned that the Town needs to
increase events in town to increase our revenue stream. EL mentioned installing street lights in the public parking lot behind the bank. He would like to receive input from residents prior to taking any action. He thanked the volunteers who made some dugouts down in Lenox Dale. MOTION by EL, seconded by DR to appoint Bob Vaughan to the Finance Committee. 5/0 vote. The Board thanked Dennis Field and John O’Brien for hanging the lights around Town. It was suggested to get Rep. Pignatelli involved in the issue of traffic at Route 7 & 20 and Holmes Road.
By roll call, KF, EL, CG, JM and DR voted to go into Executive Session at 8:25pm 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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