Minutes of Meeting – June 25, 2014; meeting called to order at 7:00pm. Present: Ken Fowler; Ed Lane; Dave Roche; Warren Archey; Channing Gibson.
MOTION by WA, seconded by KF to accept the Minutes of June 11 as presented. 4/0 vote with CG abstaining.
Citizen’s Open Forum: None.
CG mentioned that there was a Special Town Meeting on 6/24, and that 140+ people attended to vote on the three articles, all of which passed.
Consent Agenda: CG went through each item on the Consent Agenda, asking if any item needed a Hold placed on it. MOTION by DR, seconded by EL to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a One-Day W&M license to Church on the Hill for 7/25 from 5-8pm; two One-Day W&M licenses to St. Ann Church for 7/11 from 6:30-8:30pm and July 12 from 5-10pm; permission to the Brock Trot to hold their annual 10K and 5K road race, to place staging at the start of the race and to hang two separate banners in various locations, and for the usage of acoustics at Shakespeare & Company for the morning only and for their booth at the Apple Squeeze; to grant a refund of the building permit fee in the amount of $950 which was charged to Performance Plumbing & Heating for work performed at Turnure Terrace (LHA); approve a Reserve Fund
Transfer in the amount of $5000 from the Planning Board to the Fire Department to cover unforeseen repairs. 5/0 vote.
Town Manager Report: The TM briefly mentioned that he has drafted goals and objectives which he would like to discuss with the Board later in the meeting. He also mentioned that he has hired Michelle Messana as a summer intern to work 10 hours/week beginning this Friday. She will be working on research projects and developing databases for the office. Finally, he mentioned that Boston University Tanglewood Institute would like to hold a 5K road race on July 20 from 8am-10am. MOTION by WA, seconded by DR to approve said road race contingent upon adherence to public safety terms and that the neighbors and business community are notified. 5/0 vote.
Sanitarian Jim Wilusz updated the Board on the Tobacco Twenty-One proposal. He explained that the new flavored cigarettes and cigars are clearly aimed at the younger crowd. He feels that it is important to protect the youth, and would like to have the Board send a letter of support to the Lenox Board of Health. KF clarified that it would be the purchase, but not the use or possession, of tobacco products that this law would prohibit. The Board agreed to discuss this issue further at a later date.
Tennessee Pipeline: CG stated that there are concerns from residents over the pipeline route, as well as a desire to have the Board rescind their approval for survey work as part of this project. WA would like to see our state representative and senator back the community. He read a letter that he would like to have the Board send to them, as well as the governor, seeking their input and assistance. He has no problem with the survey occurring, however, as this will show the proposed route. DR stated that the letter certainly has merit, but he would like to see the Town find some money to defend against the pipeline. KF stated that he would like to see what the governor has to say on this matter. He is opposed to the pipeline, but not the survey. EL concurred with these thoughts. CG
agreed, and also stated that fracking is not part of the issue. He believes that they are targeting the AT&T cable ROW as the proposed route. We need to focus on the installation of the pipeline. Jeffrey Reel stated that the line is proposed to go through Eastover land, including wetlands, and he would like to see the Board issue a statement against the pipeline. Scott Laugenour stated that the governor has stated that we need the pipeline. Susan May suggested getting together with other communities when it comes time to fight, similar to the Rest of River committee. MOTION by DR, seconded by KF to be in opposition in principle to a high-pressure natural gas pipeline route through the town under any circumstances. 5/0 vote. At this point, the Board stated that they will not take a vote to rescind their previous vote to allow the survey work. WA suggested that the Board speak with Senator Downing and Representative Pignatelli
to see what their thoughts are on this issue.
Rest of River: CG gave a brief update on this project. He stated that this will be a 13-year clean up, to start no sooner than five years from now. The Board discussed whether or not they should go on record with their specific concerns during the public comment period. They all agreed that the impact to Lenox Dale will be phenomenal. The current comment period deadline is August 8, but the TM suggested that they request an extension through October 27; in addition, he suggested that a letter be sent to the EPA requesting legal standing with them. These two items were discussed recently at a Rest of River Committee meeting where they were approved.
Management Goals and Objectives: The TM briefly went through the five objectives for FY15, which includes financial planning, personnel management reform, promoting ethics and communications, bringing professionalism focus to economic development opportunities and responding to external opportunities in a professional, fact-based manner. He asked the Board to review his draft report and give him feedback, and he would then like to submit a final document at the 7/9 BOS meeting.
BOS Reports: DR asked when the banners would be installed on the light poles. He also mentioned that Lee has flowering baskets on their light poles that look very nice. KF stated that the Environmental Committee meets on the first Monday of July at 6pm. He reported that while the motorcar classic drew a small crowd, the band was great; the weather just didn’t cooperate. EL stated that the lines have been painted on the roadways, and that a meeting was held regarding the proposed high costs for repairs at the treatment plant, where the engineers explained the situation to his satisfaction. DR stated that the school strategic plan identified five major goals, and is moving forward. CG reminded everyone about the homebuyers program available through the town. He stated that the Community Center
project is moving along, and the beach is now open.
Meeting adjourned at 8:55pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Director of Administrative Services Board of Selectmen
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