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Minutes of Meeting – July 24, 2013; meeting called to order at 7:00pm. Present: Ken Fowler; Ed Lane; Channing Gibson; Dave Roche. Absent: John McNinch.
Citizen’s Open Forum: None.
MOTION by KF, seconded by EL to accept the Minutes of July 10 as amended. 4/0 vote.
The Board briefly interviewed Jeffrey Reel for the opening on the Environmental Committee. He mentioned his background as a sustainability manager, as well as his involvement with Eastover and a chemical cleaning water system. CG stated that Jaime Cahillane, the other candidate, will be involved with the committee through his job with CET. MOTION by CG, seconded by KF to appoint Jeffrey Reel to the Environmental Committee. 4/0 vote.
Events Coordinator Update: Tara Consolati appeared before the Board to give a brief update on the Berkshire Cycling Classic and the Lenox Motorcar Classic events held earlier this year. She noted that she had made some recommendations at the end of her written report to the Board. In general, she felt that both the Cycling Classic and the Motorcar Classic were successful events. She would like to see these events continue, but feels that a full-time events person is critical. Typically, the planning for these events begins shortly after the event takes place, not a few months prior. DR stated that he would like to see more businesses solicited for sponsorship. KF stated that we must be careful not to get caught between the Town and Chamber of Commerce events and monies.
Adele Gravitz gave a brief presentation on the What’s Out There Weekend scheduled for September 21 and 22 throughout the county. The Events Committee approved $5000 toward this event. She explained that this event will help make people aware of landscapes by offering free cultural landscape tours. DR questioned if other communities were also contributing toward this event since many of the tours were taking place in other locations around the county. In addition, the Board questioned if the monies were really needed since the proposed budget submitted showed the income and expenses as a wash. KF suggested granting monies based on a good faith effort that other communities will come through with funding. Adele then briefly went through the website showing the various tours scheduled. She
explained that while this is a one-time event, it should spin off some events that may occur again. Because the Board wanted to see if other communities would participate, it was agreed to table any vote on this matter until the August 7 meeting, and have Adele come back with an update.
Consent Agenda: DR went through each item on the Consent Agenda, asking if any items needed a Hold placed on it. A hold was placed on the FY14 Paving Contract and the Aggregation Plan for Community Choice Power Supply Program. MOTION by CG, seconded by KF to approve the balance of the consent agenda which includes the following: appointment of Robert Gaughran, Bryan Davis, Darrell Marks and Ethan Sicard as part-time firefighters-EMTs; a sandwich board approval to Bagel and Brew at 18B Franklin Street and to Scott Barrow Photography at 17 Housatonic Street; a temporary banner to the Lenox Library to be hung in the Welles Gallery from August 3-11; approval of a Memorandum of Agreement with Berkshire Regional Planning Commission for professional GIS planning and consulting services; a one-day A/A license to Belvoir
Terrace for 8/31 from 2-10pm; permission for the Josh Billings Runaground to utilize town roads for their race on 9/15; approval of a contract for engineering services for the Sunset Avenue and Housatonic Street sewer improvements with Weston and Sampson Engineers in the amount of $14,000; approval of a contract for engineering services for the Water Treatment Plant Pump Station upgrades with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. in the amount of $97,500; approval of a contract for the replacement of instrumentation at the Brunell Pump Station with I&C Systems Engineering in the amount of $130,815. 4/0 vote. After a brief explanation by EL regarding the FY14 paving contract/Change Order #1, MOTION by EL, seconded by CG to approve Change Order #1 with LB Corporation in the amount of $253,550.92 to resurface the portion of Walker Street from Route 7/20 east to Fairway Drive. 4/0 vote. Again, following a brief explanation as to what this agreement represents for
Lenox, MOTION by KF, seconded by CG to approve and accept an Aggregation Plan for Community Choice Power Supply Program with Colonial Power Group, Inc. 4/0 vote. MOTION by CG, seconded by KF to grant a one-day W&M license to the Lenox Youth Basketball for 8/10 from 3-7pm. 4/0 vote. MOTION by El, seconded by CG to grant approval for a sandwich board sign to Jay Baver, Berkshire Outdoors & Berkshire Naturals at 12 Housatonic Street. 4/0 vote.
BOS Reports: CG stated that being able to approve the change order work on Walker Street just reinforces the fact that Jeff Vincent is saving the Town enough money to justify his salary. He announced that there is still a vacancy on the Planning Board should anyone be interested in serving. He mentioned that a meeting is being set up to have someone come in to talk about whether or not the Town should have a fiscal impact analysis done; that a solar meeting with Broadway Electric needs to be set up; that the Building Inspector has requested a parking space since he goes in and out of the building so often during the day. The rear lot will be painted on Friday morning, and there will be enough spaces designated for staff to park, so this should work out for him. EL stated that DPW projects are moving along
nicely. He also mentioned that some people are receiving in the mail a pamphlet regarding purchasing water line insurance. He wants everyone to know that the Town is not affiliated, nor endorses, this mailing in any way. KF asked for an update regarding the Rest of River samples taken. EL stated that he will speak with the gentleman and see where everything stands. He also mentioned that he just received the abutters list for the municipal parking lot behind the bank, and that he will contact the residents shortly. Also, he mentioned that on our website the Concerts in the Park say that they begin at 7pm; it should read 6:30pm. DR asked those holding tag sales to please remove their signs from the poles once the sale is over. He then asked the Board to sign the OPEB Memorandum of Understanding so that it could then be sent over to the School Committee for their signatures. He also mentioned the sad loss of Ryan Pratt from the
School Department and Lollie Smith from the VFW.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Interim Town Manager Board of Selectmen
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