Minutes of Meeting – August 20, 2014; meeting called to order at 7:00pm. Present: Ken Fowler; Ed Lane; Dave Roche; Warren Archey; Channing Gibson.
MOTION by DR, seconded by WA to accept the Minutes and Executive Minutes of August 6 as presented. 4/0 vote with KF abstaining.
Citizen’s Open Forum: Librarian Sharon Hawkes updated the board on ongoing activities, i.e., lectures and their annual book sale.
Consent Agenda: CG went through each item on the Consent Agenda, asking if any item needed a Hold placed on it. MOTION by KF, seconded by DR to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: One-day W&M license to Beth Wheeler for 8/23 from 3-7pm at the Community Center Ballroom; one-day W&M license to Janina Sulca for 8/30 from 6-11:30pm at the Community Center Ballroom; one-day A/A license to Tom Callahan for 9/12 from6-11pm at Ventfort Hall; appointment of Al Harper as an at-large member of the CPC Committee and Olga Weiss as the Historical Commission on the CPC Committee. 5/0 vote.
Town Manager Report: The TM mentioned a Community Innovation Challenge Grant for shared services among the different school districts. He asked the Board to give it some thought and place it on the 9/3 agenda for a vote. He stated that the Land Use Director/Planner has been advertised and that screening will be held on Friday, 8/22. The TM went to New York earlier in the day to observe the clean-up of the Hudson River, and will make a report to the Board on his thoughts.
Kevin Sprague from Studio 2 appeared before the Board to present his thoughts on a new Google ad campaign for the Town. He is recommending that the Town continue with the Google ad campaign as follows: $10,000 total, $6,000 for a fall series running 9/1-12/31/14, and $4,000 for a spring series running from 4/1-6/30/15. He stated that ads targeted to the area are showing interest in visiting Lenox. CG asked if people are looking around the website, to which Kevin stated yes. KF questioned if we could determine how much we are getting in hotel/motel tax etc. from these ads. Kevin stated that it can’t really be measured, but he feels that we are definitely benefitting from them.
Rest of River: The TM stated that he attended a meeting in Stockbridge, but cannot report on it as it was held in Executive Session. He will put together a response to EPA prior to the October 1 deadline. He stated that his trip to New York state today brought some interesting insight as to what to expect from the clean-up effort. He stated that there is a public forum scheduled for 9/23 at LMMHS at which time EPA will make a presentation, followed by a comment period. He feels that the Board should consider holding a public forum specific to Lenox. WA stated that there isn’t much time, and that what we do will affect future generations, and that it is so important that things are done in an appropriate sequence. EL would like to have a forum before the Board has a working meeting.
Solar Project: We are waiting to hear back on our solar grant. Additional engineering is currently occurring.
Tennessee Pipeline: The Board received a request for surveying on additional town land. Maps showing a proposed route have now been received, and the TM is recommending that the Board allow this survey work to occur. The Board agreed that while we are not endorsing this project, we need to keep the lines of communications open and learn as much as we can about the project. MOTION by KF, seconded by EL to grant permission for additional survey work on town land. 5/0 vote. DR states that he would like to know what the Town’s legal rights are before any monies are spent fighting this.
BOS Reports: KF mentioned that there is a vacancy on the Environmental Committee. He also mentioned that water shut-offs are imminent. DR stated that the Historical Commission walking tours are going well. He thanked the TM for the good job he has done since coming here. EL stated that the paving work is coming to an end. He has been attending meetings in Lee regarding the mills. CG stated that the Town has offered the position of Youth Services Coordinator and that the individual will begin on 9/2. He also mentioned that we need to put together a P&S for the CDC of South Berkshire for the Sawmill Brook development project.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Administrative Services DIrector Board of Selectmen
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