Minutes of Meeting – October 15, 2014; meeting called to order at 7:00pm. Present: Ed Lane; Dave Roche; Warren Archey; Channing Gibson; Ken Fowler.
MOTION by DR, seconded by WA to accept the Minutes and Executive Minutes of October 1 as presented. 4/0 vote with KF abstaining.
Citizen’s Open Forum: Susan May, representing the Lenox Environmental Committee, stated that their committee has endorsed a Yes vote on Question #2 on the November 4 ballot. This question updates the current bottle bill to include deposits on bottles that contain water, sports drinks, teas, etc., and she asked that people, when voting, consider voting Yes on this question.
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 KF to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: Appointment of Eric Federer to the Environmental Committee; Change of Hours, allowing Price Chopper and Stockbridge Wine Cellar to sell alcohol beginning at 10am on Sundays; Change of Manager from Nicholas Puma, Jr. to Ronald Werth at Shakespeare & Company; Grant permission to Pioneer Valley Ballet to utilize Lilac Park for a free outdoor dance concert on a Thursday or Friday evening in July 2015 (July 9?); Agree to advertise in the BVB Guidebook. 5/0 vote.
Town Manager Report: The TM stated that another company is contacting residents purporting to represent the Town in the recent electricity aggregation bid. Colonial Power and Hampshire are the two companies that the Town is dealing with, and they will contact you only by mail. The Board of Assessors has asked to hold the tax classification hearing on November 12. The TM then explained the need to hold a Special Town Meeting, and asked that the Board think it over, taking a vote at the10/29 meeting. He would like to hold it sometime between November 13-24. There would be three warrant articles; one seeking to place the watershed lands under Article 97, a second one for the solar project, and a third one to amend the accounting of the sewer enterprise fund. He went on to explain that the solar article
approved at the 2013 ATM was specific to Broadway as the developer, and is not sufficient for other developers. With the need to move the solar project forward, he feels that it is an opportune time also to try to further protect the watershed from development by affirming/reaffirming the applicability of Article 97 to the watershed lands as well as clarify deficiencies identified in the original town meeting vote on the Conservation Restriction. Finally, DOR has asked that the Town clarify the ATM vote to fund the FY15 sewer budget. This is a housekeeping item, and it is much easier to take care of the matter now rather than later.
DR announced that Jennifer Reinholt resigned from the School Committee, and asked anyone interested in this opening to submit a letter of interest to the office. The Boards would like to meet jointly on November 12 to act upon this opening.
Rest of River: The Board reviewed the correspondence to be sent to EPA drafted by the Rest of River Committee. They went through the four main concerns enumerated in the letter. WA stated that a big concern is how the material will be moved, and that utilizing the railroad is the preferred method. CG stated that it is an excellent letter, and strongly states that the committee wants to have a voice. MOTION by DR, seconded by KF to approve of the letter as presented, and to authorize the chairman of the board to sign same. 5/0 vote. In addition, they reviewed a letter drafted by the TM and WA on behalf of the Town. They went through the summary of concerns related specifically to Lenox as itemized in the letter. CG again felt that this was an excellent letter, specific to Lenox.
MOTION by EL, seconded by DR to approve the letter to EPA as drafted by WA and the TM, and to authorize the chairman to sign same. 5/0 vote.
Solar Project: KF stated that an RFP for the solar projects at the WWTP and landfill area is out, with a due date of November 13. He reminded the Board, however, that a STM vote authorizing the Selectmen to lease the property to a developer is necessary.
Tennessee Pipeline: CG stated that Congressman Neal has responded to our letter, as has Senator Markey. They have received letters from other concerned communities, and will keep apprised of the issue. Jan Chague from the Historical Society contacted CG, stating that there may be potential archeological sites in town that could be affected by the proposed pipeline route.
BOS Reports: DR announced that Tony Simotes will be leaving Shakespeare & Co., and he thanked him for everything that he did to help the Town, and asked that a letter be sent to him. He also asked that the banners be removed from the light poles around town. EL mentioned that the antique fire truck was at the Stockbridge Fire Truck Show over the weekend and looks great. KF announced that taxes are due, and that the election is on November 4. CG stated that work has begun at the Community Center basketball court. He also mentioned that we need to go over the redraft of the Sawmill Brook document, and keep this project moving forward.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Administrative Services Director Board of Selectmen
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