Minutes of Meeting – May 28, 2014; meeting called to order at 7:00pm. Present: Ken Fowler; Ed Lane; Channing Gibson; Dave Roche; Warren Archey.
MOTION by DR, seconded by EL to accept the Minutes of May 14 and 22 as presented. 5/0 vote on May 14 Minutes; 3/0 vote with KF and WA abstaining on May 22 Minutes.
Citizen’s Open Forum: Lynn West from Glad Rags appeared before the Board, questioning whether Church Street will be closed during the Berkshire Cycling Classic scheduled for Saturday, June 14. CK stated that he will meet with Chief O’Brien to obtain a better understanding of the plan.
Consent Agenda: CG went through each item on the Consent Agenda, asking if any item needed a Hold placed on it. A Hold was placed on the Outdoor Dining Permit for The Gateways. MOTION by DR, seconded by KF to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: Sandwich Board Signs to the Lenox Library Association, Berkshire Yogurt and Prime Italian Steakhouse and Bar, Outdoor Dining Permit to Electra’s Café, a Farmer Winery License to Hilltop Orchards, permission to the Chamber of Commerce to hang banners on the streetlight posts and to cover half of the expense and to grant funding to the Motorcar Classic event. 5/0 vote. The Outdoor Dining Permit from The Gateways was revised to four tables and twelve chairs. MOTION by KF, seconded by DR to grant an Outdoor Dining Permit to The Gateways per the
revised application. 5/0 vote.
Town Manager Report: The TM briefly explained the proposed Open Meeting Law Remote Participation Policy as presented. He made a few minor changes based upon suggestions from the Selectmen, Department Heads and Committee and Board members. CG stated that this policy will allow remote participants the ability to vote. MOTION by KF, seconded by EL to adopt the Open Meeting Law Remote Participation Policy as presented. 5/0 vote. The TM then requested that the Board appoint him as the Town’s primary board delegate to the Berkshire Health Group. MOTION by DR, seconded by WA to appoint Christopher Ketchen as the Town’s primary board delegate to the Berkshire Health Group. 5/0 vote. Finally, he stated that he will be attending the annual MMMA spring conference at Cranwell on Thursday
and Friday. He reminded the Board that there was a last minute sign request that needed action. MOTION by EL, seconded by DR to grant permission for a Sandwich Board Sign to Scott Barrow Photography. 5/0 vote.
Librarian Sharon Hawkes appeared before the Board to give her monthly update report on activities at the library.
MOTION by KF, seconded by EL to appoint Mark Millett as a part-time FF-EMT. 5/0 vote.
Members from the Planning Board, Community Preservation Committee, Affordable Housing Committee as well as Tim Geller from the CDC of South Berkshire appeared before the Board to answer any questions with regard to the Designated Developer Agreement and their desire to seek a purchase option for the Sawmill Brook affordable housing project. The TM gave a brief overview of the project and described the Town’s obligations under the DDA which was signed in 2011. Katie McNulty-Vaughn explained that the Town is required to have 10% of our year-round housing be certified as subsidized housing; we are currently at 7.8%. MOTION by WA, seconded by DR to call a Special Town Meeting, as requested by the Planning Board, for June 24, 2014 at 7:00pm in the Town Hall auditorium, and to direct the Town Manager to perform all
administrative tasks required to prepare a warrant for the Board’s signature and properly provide notice of the meeting. 5/0 vote.
CG went through the various liaison appointments for the coming year.
Correspondence to Board: The Board briefly discussed the request received from Paul Carter on behalf of the Berkshire County Workers Benefit Council. The TM explained that he is unclear what the role of the Town would be should they adopt the proposed resolution. He suggested that an alternative would be to send a letter stating the Town’s hope that the hospital facility re-opens and that we wish them the best possible outcome.
BOS Reports: EL stated that the DPW paving bids are out, and that they are hoping to begin line and crosswalk painting within a week. He stated that costs associated with the water treatment facility upgrade are skyrocketing. DR suggested that Jeff Vincent could come in and review the issue. EL stated that he attended a meeting regarding the re-use of the Lee/Lenox Dale mills, and that there will be meetings held over the next year, seeking input from residents. Finally, he mentioned that with the 250th anniversary coming up, the Town needs to look into how best to have funding flow, i.e., through a non-profit entity. DR suggested that funds run through the Lenox Library Association. KF brought up the need to look at the Planner position so that the Planning Board doesn’t get bogged
down. TM stated that he hopes to have a plan in place by the end of the fiscal year. WA stated that the crosswalks do need to be painted. DR stated that the Historical Commission has now received permission from the HDC to place the historic markers on the various buildings. He also mentioned that the strategic planning committee for the schools is moving into an actual study and planning of goals with regard to the sustainability of the schools. CG stated that Memorial Day was a great day, and he thanked Tim Sheehan for his work on behalf of Lenox Dale and Sean Ward on behalf of Lenox.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Director of Administrative Services Board of Selectmen
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