Minutes of Meeting – September 3, 2014; meeting called to order at 7:00pm. Present: Ken Fowler; Ed Lane; Dave Roche; Warren Archey; Channing Gibson.
CG stated that the summer season is now closing and it appears that it was a busy one. He reminded everyone that the Tub Parade is 9/13 and Josh Billings is on 9/14. He also stated that the Board will be hosting a public forum on the Rest of River at the Berkshire Scenic Railway on 9/10 at 6:30pm.
MOTION by DR, seconded by KF to accept the Minutes of August 20 as presented. 5/0 vote.
Citizen’s Open Forum: None.
Consent Agenda: CG went through each item on the Consent Agenda, asking if any item needed a Hold placed on it. KF asked for a Hold on the one-day W&M license for 9/13, and DR asked for a Hold on the temporary banner request. After a brief discussion, MOTION by KF, seconded by EL to approve a one-day W&M license to Robert Peter Robertson for Saturday, September 13 from 5-10pm in the Community Center Ballroom. 5/0 vote. MOTION by EL, seconded by KF to approve a one-day W&M license to Barry Izenstein/Charles Izenstein for Sunday, September 21 from 2-10pm in the barn at Pleasant Valley Audubon. 5/0 vote. MOTION by EL, seconded by KF to approve a one-day W&M license to the Lenox Library for Friday, September 5 from 5-7pm at the Welles Gallery. 5/0 vote. MOTION by DR,
seconded by KR to approve a temporary banner request from Wendy Rabinowitz for an art exhibit in the Welles Gallery from July 17-31. Since she requested four weeks, she will need to reapply for the balance of the two weeks. 5/0 vote. The Board agreed that requests for the Library should be submitted to Sharon prior to submission to the Board for approval.
Town Manager Report: He informed the Board that he will be in Dalton on 9/17 to participate in a contract for power supply through Colonial Power Group. He asked the Board to authorize him to accept and sign the necessary agreement to make the aggregation happen. MOTION by KF, seconded by EL to authorize the Town Manager to enter into an agreement and sign all necessary paperwork to allow the Town to participate in this municipal aggregation plan as approved at the May 2012 Annual Town Meeting, Article #29. 5/0 vote. The TM then mentioned that he will be holding a summer parking post mortem meeting on 9/16 at 10am and again at 7pm in the Town Hall.
Having heard the presentation from Kevin Sprague regarding Google advertising for the Town at the previous Selectmen’s meeting, MOTION by DR, seconded by KF to approve $10,000 for fall and spring Google advertising. 5/0 vote.
The Board briefly discussed a Community Innovation Challenge Grant for shared services between the surrounding school systems. MOTION by KF, seconded by EL to authorize the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to sign the necessary Memorandum of Agreement. 5/0 vote.
Ralph Petillo appeared before the Board to update them on Apple Squeeze events. He stated that there will be a band in the parking lot behind Church Street, that Church Street will be more involved in the festivities, there will be a farmer’s market in the Schulze parking lot, and he would like to close to vehicular traffic that part of Church Street from Housatonic Street to Walker Street.
Rest of River: WA reported that things continue to move, although he is unable to share them since they occur during Executive Session meetings. He reminded everyone that there will be a presentation on 9/10 at the BSRM and on 9/23 by EPA at the high school. The TM is working on the Town’s response, and that he will be incorporating comments from the 9/10 meeting.
Solar: KF stated that Lee and Lenox have been awarded a $20,000 grant for technical assistance. The level of understanding of this project is such that it is necessary to have someone with the specific knowledge to assist as the project moves forward. He is hoping to utilize Beth Greenblatt again.
Tennessee Pipeline: The TM stated that he is anticipating action by Kinder-Morgan with the federal energy office. Berkshire Regional Planning will be hosting a presentation on 9/18 at 6pm at BCC which the public is welcome to attend. In addition, the Berkshire Garden Club will be hosting a forum at the Town Hall on 9/17 at 10am. DR stated that while he is upset with them wanting to go through Town, he is more upset with them wanting to go through the watershed. WA stated that no Environmental Impact Statement is necessary, but there may be an investigation by MEPA.
CG stated that the deadline on the Sawmill Brook Affordable Housing Project Developer Designation Agreement needs to be extended. MOTION by DR, seconded by KF to exercise the option of the Developer Designation Agreement to extend the deadline until a Purchase and Sale Agreement is signed. 5/0 vote.
BOS Reports: DR thanked the various Town departments for their hard work throughout the summer. WA stated that he met with the Land Management Committee and that the Open Space Report is just about complete, and should be available shortly. KF announced water shut offs are occurring. He also mentioned that absentee ballots are due for the upcoming election. He stated that the Environmental Committee voted to be in opposition to the Kinder-Morgan proposal, going along with Article 24 which was approved at the May 2014 Annual Town Meeting. EL stated that the DPW had their hands full this year, and have done a great job. CG stated that the Community Center has been busy all summer, and that things have run very well. DR suggested that letters be sent to the various volunteers, etc. that assisted the
Town throughout the summer.
Meeting adjourned at 8:20pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Administrative Services Director Board of Selectmen
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