Minutes of Meeting – April 29, 2015; meeting called to order at 7:00pm. Present: Channing Gibson; Warren Archey; Ed Lane; Ken Fowler; Dave Roche.
CG announced the various vacancies on town boards. He also reminded everyone about the Town meeting on 5/7, followed by the town election on 5/11. He also reminded businesses that they need to renew their sandwich board sign permits.
MOTION by KF, seconded by EL to accept the Minutes of April 15 as presented. 5/0 vote.
Citizen’s Open Forum: George Jordan expressed his opposition to Article 21 on the town meeting warrant, an amendment to the Zoning By-Laws regarding off-street parking and loading requirements in the village center parking overlay district. He felt that the change was unnecessary.
Consent Agenda: MOTION by KF, seconded by DR to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: A Sandwich Board Sign to Jenn Nacht, The Scoop; permission to utilize Lilac Park on July 14-15, 2017 for a living history event as part of the Town’s 250th celebration; the Rotary Club’s Bike-N-Fly cycling fundraiser on 8/15/15. 5/0 vote.
Librarian Sharon Hawkes and Jennifer Knopf informed the Board about the Library’s upcoming Silent Art Auction.
Tennessee Pipeline: No report.
Rest of River: No report. CG mentioned an article in the newspaper regarding the clean-up of Silver Lake, and reminded everyone how important it is that the clean-up of the Housatonic River be in perpetuity.
Solar: We continue to negotiate with Ameresco on the landfill solar project. The Town is doing its due diligence on this project.
Traffic Rules and Regulations Public Hearing: KF read the notice as it appeared in the newspaper. MOTION by DR, seconded by WA to open the public hearing. 5/0 vote. George Jordan asked if this parking change would be a year-round proposal, to which the Board answered yes, at least in its current form. If it doesn’t work, the Board can change it. Doris Barsauskas thanked the Board for the proposed changes. She stated that many businesses will be extending their hours on Thursday and Friday evenings during the summer, and that this parking plan will be helpful. MOTION by KF,
seconded by EL to close the public hearing. 5/0 vote. DR stated that while he felt two hours was too short, he feels that four hours is too long. He would like to see the town adopt a 3-hour parking limit between 9am-9pm. EL concurred. DR also stated that it will be necessary to install appropriate signage. EL brought up the need for enforcement. KF stated that he is fine with three hours, and that this will turn the parking spaces over more often. CG stated that he is confident that appropriate signage and enforcement will happen and that this plan will prove to be successful. It was stated that communication will be essential to making this work. The TM stated that an effective date is important so that we can have time to put signage together, and get the word out. Again, EL stated that if this doesn’t work, the Board can always change it. It was agreed to reassess the situation in the fall. MOTION
by DR, seconded by KF to amend Article X, Schedule I, Parking, of the Traffic Rules and Regulations as follows, effective June 15, 2015. 5/0 vote.
ARTICLE X, SCHEDULE I, PARKING
Location Side From To Type Parking
Main St. East South edge St. Ann’s 270’ S. of S. edge Housatonic 3 hr. 9AM-9PM
Main St. West South edge St. Ann’s 90’ N. of N. edge West Street 3 hr. 9AM-9PM
Housatonic St. Both Main Street Church Street 3 hr. 9AM-9PM
Franklin St. North Main Street Church Street 3 hr. 9AM-9PM
Church St. West Walker Street 78’ S. of Franklin Street 3 hr. 9AM-9PM
Walker St. East 65’ N. of N. edge 160’ S. of Main Street 3 hr. 9AM-9PM
Kemble Street
Walker St. West 65’ N. of N. edge 100’ S. of Stockbridge Road 3 hr. 9AM-9PM
Kemble Street
Town Manager Report: MOTION by DR, seconded by KF to ratify the appointment of Kerry Sullivan as Assistant Town Clerk, effective May 4, 2015, and as Town Clerk effective as of 4pm on May 29, 2015. 5/0 vote. He then asked the members if they would like to discuss the Motions for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting now or separately at another time. They all agreed that it would be better to do them at a later date.
BOS Reports: KF stated that real estate and personal property taxes are due May 1; dog licenses are due May 15; the Environmental Committee will be meeting on Monday, 5/4 at 6pm. EL mentioned the various large DPW projects going on around town, and that they are all going along smoothly. He stated that they still have not located the large water leak in town, and asked anyone noticing a large amount of water where it doesn’t belong to please contact the Water Department.
Finally, Doris Barsauskas and Suzannah VanSchaick, members of the merchants group, announced a Meet and Greet to be held on May 14 from 4-7pm. They would like to obtain a one-day W&M license for the event. After listening to the specifics, it was determined that four or five licenses would be necessary, one for each location. They are anticipating up to 175 people in attendance. CG referred them to MED for information regarding the one-day licenses.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Director of Administrative Services Board of Selectmen
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