Minutes of Meeting – May 1, 2013; meeting called to order at 7:00pm. Present: Ken Fowler; Ed Lane; Channing Gibson; Dave Roche; John McNinch.
Citizen’s Open Forum: Sonya Bykofsky stated that she continues to have concerns with regard to Kennedy Park, and asked that this item be placed on the next BOS agenda. Carolyn Barry asked if a brochure that included non-chamber members was being distributed, to which KF stated yes. Nancy Armstrong asked why there was no report from the ADA Committee or Kennedy Park in the Town Report.
MOTION by EL, seconded by CG to accept the Minutes and Executive Minutes of April 17and Minutes of March 27, April 24 and Executive Minutes of and 26 as presented. CG asked that the April 22 Minutes be amended with some detail as to the needed action steps and a marketing plan proposal from the Chamber. 4/0 vote with DR abstaining.
TM Transition Plan: KF read the TM’s letter of resignation and thanked Greg for his service to the Town. The Board discussed how to proceed with replacing the TM. It was agreed to put together a citizen’s review team to review the applicants and to post the need for five citizens currently not serving the Town in an official capacity on the Town web site. JM and DR will serve as liaisons to this group. JM and DR will interview by phone the three firms interested in performing the search for the town. It was agreed to utilize Mary Ellen Deming and Jeff Vincent as co-interim town managers. The TM will put together a list of projects. CG stated that it is important to keep existing projects moving forward. MOTION by EL, seconded by DR to approve Mary Ellen Deming and Jeff Vincent
as co-interim town managers. 5/0 vote.
Environmental Committee Chairman Scott Laugenour updated the Board on the efforts of the committee. He briefly touched upon past projects: Unplugged, Idle Free, Green Communities, Solar PV Grant, Solarize, Municipal Solar, Free BRTA, and Green Fair. He went on to state that the committee meets on the first Monday of each month. New projects include Green Hospitality, Outreach to Other Towns, Monitor Municipal Solar, Water Conservation/Treatment, Free BRTA Rides, New Round of Energy Audits, Compost Bins, and Styrofoam and Plastic Bag Ban. MOTION by DR, seconded by JM to sign a 6-town letter (Pittsfield, Lenox, Lee, Stockbridge, Great Barrington, Sheffield) expressing concerns about new regulations that would make it easier to dredge and dispose of contaminated soils within an ACEC. 5/0 vote.
Consent Agenda: MOTION by DR, seconded by CGL to approve a one-day W&M license to Osher Life Long Learning Institute at BCC for 6/8 from 2-5pm at the Lenox Library. 5/0 vote. MOTION by CG, seconded by EL to grant permission to Essencials Spa for a temporary banner to be erected 14 days prior to Mother’s Day (April 29-May 12). 3/2 vote with JM and KF apposed since the sign is already up. MOTION by JM, seconded by CG to approve of a sandwich board sign at The Kemble Inn. 5/0 vote.
The Board received an e-mail to” Ask the Selectmen”: It was a comment about doing more for locals. DR agreed that we need to do as much as possible for locals and tourists. JM feels that the Board spends too much time discussing marketing.
BOS Reports: JM stated that the Open Space Report will be published shortly, as soon as an ADA element is added. He reminded everyone that the Conservation Restriction is on the warrant for tomorrow evening. He reiterated that the Town is not giving away the land; Berkshire Natural Resources Council would be monitors only. CG congratulated KF on his re-election. DR stated that the closing of The Dakota restaurant speaks to the need for economic development. EL stated that the door project at the Community Center is moving forward. He thanked The Heritage for hosting a free lunch for the displaced Curtis residents. He then brought up the issue of parking around Town. Signs were never replaced after the sidewalk project. Employees need to park off street, and Town employees should be
reminded to set a good example. There needs to be a discussion about erecting ‘potted’ signs and possible three-hour parking limits. In addition, lighting needs to be installed in the public lot behind the bank. KF informed everyone that the hearing date regarding the Kennedy Park belvedere lawsuit is scheduled for June 18. He thanked everyone for all their assistance with regard to the Curtis fire.
By roll call, CG, EL, JM, DR and KF voted to go into Executive Session at 8:00pm to discuss contract negotiations, for Special Counsel to assist with the Rest of river negotiations with GE 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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