Minutes of Meeting – May 13, 2015; meeting called to order at 7:00pm. Present: Channing Gibson; Ed Lane; Ken Fowler; Dave Roche. Absent: Warren Archey.
CG announced that anyone who has not already signed up for the Code Red notifications should do so. He congratulated those on the election ballot that won the town election. He stated that there will be a meeting on June 16 at 7pm at the Town Hall to release the Open Space Plan.
MOTION by KF, seconded by DR to accept the Minutes of April 29 and May 7 as presented. 4/0 vote.
Citizen’s Open Forum: Ken Kelly invited everyone to attend the Undermountain Farm Plein Air Event on 5/16 from 10-1.
Consent Agenda: MOTION by DR, seconded by KF to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: One-Day W&M license to the Lenox Library Association for 5/30 from 5:30-7:30pm for a 200th Anniversary Celebration; permission to display two triangle flag banners from 5/29-6/1, one on the front of the building and one over the gallery entrance; One-Day W&M license to OLLI/BCC for 5/23 from 2-5pm at the Welles Gallery; One-Day W&M license to the LMMHS 70’s Reunion Committee for 6/13 from 7-11pm in the Community Center Ballroom; permission to Oliva’s to erect a sandwich board sign at 27A Housatonic Street; One-Day W&M license to the Lenox VFW for Monday, 5/25 from 1-5pm for the Memorial Day picnic at 65 Main Street; One-Day W&M license to Jennifer Jaehnig for Saturday, 5/16 from 1-4pm at Pleasant Valley
Audubon. 4/0 vote. MOTION by DR, seconded by KF to approve a One-Day W&M license to the Lenox Dale Fire Company for Friday, May 22 from 6pm-midnight. 3/0 vote with EL abstaining.
Tennessee Pipeline: The TM continues to attend the regional workshop group. Kinder Morgan is still promoting the Hancock, Lanesborough and Cheshire route, but Lenox is still an alternate route.
Rest of River: EPA continues to review comments submitted from the public.
Solar: KF and CG attended a meeting with DEP and Ameresco to discuss the capping of the landfill. Town meeting approved Article 22 which allows the Selectmen to negotiate with developers on projects located outside Lenox. Schweitzer Mauduit in Lee is a likely location. Lee will be voting on a similar warrant article. They then briefly discussed the capping of the landfill and whether or not to abandon Willow Creek Road or make it an Unaccepted Road.
BOS Reports: DR mentioned that the Rutledge family has given a gift to the Library for Roche Reading Park – picnic tables and perennial gardens around the ramp. He wondered if any the Board members had any concerns. They touched upon regrading of the area, the thought of installing a skating rink in the winter, the need to move the tables to mow, and the installation of trash receptacles. It was agreed to place this on the 5/27 agenda for further discussion. KF stated that the Environmental Committee finalized the plan to table Articles #24 and #25 at the ATM; however, the committee plans to move forward with the process of banning Styrofoam and plastic bags. He informed the Board that Mary Lou Jarvis and Barbara Garrity will be stepping down as election workers after many years of service to the Town. He then went through the employee anniversaries. EL stated that the DPW projects continue to move along. He brought up the parking changes by the tennis courts in the rear
of the Community Center, and the need to determine soon what should be done. The Board agreed to hold a site visit on 5/27 at 6:30pm prior to the next Selectmen’s meeting. DR reminded everyone that the downtown merchants will be holding their business to business event tomorrow night from 4-7pm.
Town Meeting discussion: DR stated that he was disappointed in the turnout, and wondered what the Town could do to encourage better attendance. He stated that some communities hold a Town Meeting, followed by all-day balloting a few days later. KF suggested that the Board look at a Charter review. He felt that the Town did not educate the people enough on the parking overlay article. He stated that storefronts are empty because there is no change of use possible without this proposed change. As for parking at Orebed, the Board agreed that it really doesn’t matter as it is currently being used for parking informally.
Board Chair/Clerk: MOTION by CG, seconded by DR to appoint Ed Lane as Chairman. 4/0 vote. MOTION by DR, seconded by KF to appoint Channing Gibson as Clerk. 4/0 vote.
By roll call, CG, DR, EL and KF voted to go into Executive Session at 7:55pm to discuss the Town’s strategy with respect to acquisition and disposition of real property (Undermountain Farm/Parsons Marsh).
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Director of Administrative Services Board of Selectmen
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