Minutes of Meeting – December 2, 2015; meeting called to order at 7:00pm. Present: Ed Lane; Channing Gibson; Dave Roche; Warren Archey; Ken Fowler.
The Chairman announced the various holiday activities occurring over the coming weekend.
MOTION by CG, seconded by DR to accept the Minutes of November 18 as presented. 5/0 vote.
Citizen’s Open Forum: None.
Consent Agenda: EL briefly explained the request to serve alcohol at 10am on Sundays received from TUCON d/b/a as Olde Heritage Tavern. MOTION by DR, seconded by KF to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: approve Sunday 10am serving of alcohol at the Olde Heritage Tavern; one-day W&M license to The Arcadian Shop for 12/4 from 4-8pm. 5/0 vote. CG had asked that a Hold be placed on the BVB Marketing Proposal item. CG stated that he had spoken with Kevin Sprague who places our Google ads, and he is very enthusiastic, and highly recommends, that the Town accept the proposal from the BVB. Overall, this is a very small increase over last years’ costs. MOTION by CG, seconded by DR to approve the expenditure of $26,000 for the BVB Marketing Proposal as presented at the 11/18 meeting. 5/0
vote.
Town Manager Report: The TM stated that he attended the first Administrative Review Committee meeting. It was agreed to seek a DLTA grant to assist with the shared services proposals. MOTION by CG, seconded by DR to approve an application for said grant. 5/0 vote. The TM then mentioned an intermunicipal agreement between Lee and Lenox for the building inspectional services which he will bring before the Board at their December 16 meeting.
Tennessee Pipeline: CG stated that a formal filing by Kinder-Morgan to FERC has occurred. Our legal counsel has recommended that we petition for intervenor status.
Rest of River: The ROR Municipal Committee will begin meeting again. GE is disputing the EPA’s permit on the basis that disposal citing and Woods Pond dredging are unreasonable and that the ongoing liability is too open-ended. EPA and GE will enter into a period of informal resolution, accompanied by a mediator, which will last at least a month. Assuming no resolution is reached, a more formal exchange of position statements between GE and EPA will occur. This process will take at least six months. It is unclear if public comment will be allowed, but the TM is working with BRPC staff to stay on top of the issues.
Solar Project: The state did not raise the net metering cap which was needed in order for the landfill project to move forward. The TM will stay on top of this issue should any changes occur. KF stated that there was a meeting with Rep. Pignatelli and Stockbridge Selectman Stephen Shatz regarding the Lenox and Stockbridge projects. He is encouraged that this will happen with these two projects. KF asked the Board to approve having the chairman sign a letter to the legislature/Governor urging them to move quickly on this issue once they are back in session. MOTION by KF, seconded by DR to authorize EL to sign said letter, drafted by Stockbridge, and amended by Beth Greenblatt. 5/0 vote.
BOS Reports: WA stated that he is very happy with the direction of the shared services. DR stated that several board members and the TM went on a field trip to view the firetruck which is currently out of service. The news was not good: there is extensive work needed on the frame. It is 18 years old, and was scheduled to be replaced in another 7-8 years, but we can’t wait that long now. We need to determine what the next step should be. He then mentioned that Santa will be visiting the VFW at The Academy Building on 12/12 from noon-2, and that children should attend with their parents to receive a gift. CG stated that the CPC Committee will meet some time in the middle of the month, and proceed through the next cycle. KF stated that water bills are due 12/7, the Environmental
Committee’s next meeting is 12/7 at 5:30, and went through the various town employee anniversaries.
By roll call, CG, EL, DR, KF and WA voted to go into Executive Session at 7:38pm to discuss strategy with respect to potential litigation, as well as for collective bargaining with police, fire and public works.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Director of Administrative Services Board of Selectmen
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