Minutes of Meeting – April 6, 2016; meeting called to order at 6:00pm. Present: Ed Lane; Channing Gibson; Dave Roche; Ken Fowler; Warren Archey.
The Board met to discuss and edit the draft Annual Town Meeting Warrant. At 7:00pm, the Board began their regular meeting agenda.
MOTION by CG, seconded by KF to accept the Minutes of March 23. 5/0 vote.
Citizen’s Open Forum: Katie McNulty-Vaughan reminded everyone about the Fix-It Fair to be held on 4/23 at the Community Center.
Consent Agenda: DR asked that a Hold be placed on the Reserve Police Officer appointment. MOTION by CG, seconded by KF to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: allow the acceptance of monetary donations to the Fire Department. 5/0 vote. DR stated that he was delighted that a local individual was being appointed as a Reserve Officer with our Police Department. MOTION by DR, seconded by CG to appoint Jacob Stringer as a Reserve Police Officer. 5/0 vote.
The TM and Treasurer were joined by the Town’s Financial Advisor Clark Rowell from Unibank. They described the upcoming bond offering that the Town is putting out to market. Treasurer Andrea Wadsworth stated that there should be a savings over the life of the bond of $450,000. After a brief discussion, MOTION by CG, seconded by KF to authorize the Treasurer to issue a $4,950,000 refunding bond for the Town of Lenox. 5/0 vote.
Follow-up FY2017 Budget Discussion: The TM stated that the CIC and FinCom have now approved all budget line items and warrant articles relevant to their committees.
Annual Water Report: The TM explained the results of the recently posted annual water report which shows no issues with our water. The report is available on our web site for residents to review.
BVB Marketing: The TM reported on recent statistical results from the BVB marketing activities to date. Initial indications are positive.
Tennessee Pipeline: CG stated that he is glad to see some push back and that the courts are recognizing that there is an issue at hand.
Western New England Greenway/US Bicycle Route 7: MassDOT is looking to participate in the US Bicycle Route System, a network of connected interstate bicycle routes. The Western New England Greenway (Route 7) begins in Connecticut and extends up to Quebec. No Town funds will be required; they are merely seeking an endorsement of the routing and designation of the USBR 7 through Lenox. We are able to comment on the proposed route. Their application is due April 18. MOTION by CG, seconded by DR to endorse the Western New England Greenway/US Bicycle Route 7 route and designation, and authorize the BOS Chairman to sign a document endorsing same. 5/0 vote.
ATM Warrant: The Board agreed to meet on 4/13 to finalize the warrant.
Rest of River: No public update.
Solar Project: CG stated that there are 550 solar projects in the state currently stalled due to the net metering issue. The state has approved a 3% increase in the cap. Incentives will be slightly lower, but we don’t know how this will affect our landfill project yet. KF stated that the Lee/Lenox project will be moving forward in the fall. The amount of energy created by this project will be enough to run our water and wastewater treatment plants.
BOS Reports: WA stated that there was a recent meeting at the library regarding the hardy kiwi in Kennedy Park. It was well attended, with many people volunteering to assist. DR mentioned that the Library is having clean-up days 4/11-13 should anyone be interested in helping. KF reminded everyone that taxes are due 5/2. CG stated that he is glad the Adams Community Bank is now part of the Homebuyers Grant Program through the Affordable Housing Committee. He also mentioned that the boiler at the Community Center is in bad shape, and that a new one may need to be installed. He also mentioned that he attended a CPC meeting Monday evening, and asked the Board if the various land use boards should present their thoughts on the CPC process to the CPC directly or to the Selectmen. DR stated that he
feels that the CPC should hear what the other committees have to say directly rather than it going to the Board first. A public meeting has been scheduled for 5/16 at 6pm to obtain additional input. EL stated that the Shared Services Committee met with individuals from DOR, and that they will be sitting down with employees from the three communities as they review the idea of a shared town administrator/manager.
By roll call, CG, EL, DR, WA and KF voted to go into Executive Session at 8:13pm to discuss strategy with respect to negotiations with non-union personnel, collective bargaining and potential litigation.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Director of Administrative Services Board of Selectmen
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