Minutes of Meeting – May 4, 2016; meeting called to order at 7:00pm. Present: Ed Lane; Channing Gibson; Dave Roche; Ken Fowler; Warren Archey.
The Chair reminded everyone that the Annual Town Meeting is being held tomorrow at the LMMHS.
MOTION by CG, seconded by DR to accept the Minutes of April 20. 5/0 vote.
Citizen’s Open Forum: Kate McNulty-Vaughan and Ellen Jacobson spoke about the success of the “Fix-It” Fair with special thanks to the various volunteers. A future “Fix-It” Fair is being planned for October 22nd at the Lenox Community Center.
Joe Nejaime distributed a position paper and spoke in opposition to the location of the upcoming Farmer’s Markets at Lilac Park. Each of the Selectmen spoke of their desire to promote business downtown and agreed to look at alternative sites and park policy issues.
Jody Savatore Huber criticized the lack of communication from the Town about the Farmer’s Market.
Linda Messana spoke in opposition to the location of the Farmer’s Market, citing traffic as well as the unfairness of venders not paying property taxes like local store owners.
Earl Albert expressed concern that customers will avoid downtown because of congestion during the upcoming Farmer’s Markets. He further expressed the difficulty of doing business over the winter and expressed frustration with not being informed of the proposed market.
Susan May asked the Board to consider Ore Bed Park as a location for the Farmer’s Markets.
Consent Agenda: MOTION by CG, seconded by DR to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: One-Day W&M license to Simply Smiles for 5/20 from 7-9pm at Ventfort Hall; permission to the Berkshire International Film Festival to utilize Lilac Park on Tuesday, July 12 and 26 beginning at 8pm to show family movies; appointment of Cindy Weiss to the Historical Commission. 5/0 vote.
Bid Award – Henry Avenue, Richmond Mountain Road: The TM explained that the bids came in great, and that the appropriation requests at the ATM will be $1.7M below initial estimates for the water main and $300,000 below initial estimates for the pump station. MOTION by CG, seconded by DR to award the following bids: Richmond Mountain Road construction to Baltazar Contractors in the amount of $2,535,299; Richmond Mountain Road paving to LB Corp. in the amount of $580,538; Henry Avenue Construction to Shultze in the amount of $2,066,279; and Henry Avenue Utilities to GEG Construction in the amount of $547,437, contingent upon appropriations at the Annual Town Meeting. 5/0 vote.
Rhubarb Festival Pancake Breakfast, Use of Lilac Park: The Board briefly discussed this request, and thought that it would be a nice addition to the Rhubarb Festival. As is the Board’s policy, no vote was taken at this meeting, but they did state that they were in favor of this event, and that they would vote at their May 18 meeting to approve.
Library Update: Amy Lafave updated the Board on activities at the Library.
Rest of River: No public update.
Solar Projects: The Town continues to work with Ameresco on a contract for solar development at the Willow Creek Road landfill site.
BOS Reports: WA reported that the Kennedy Park Committee was making progress on invasives, a dog park proposal and the Baker’s Pond project. DR reported that a video would be presented at Town Meeting regarding the 250th Anniversary celebration. CG reported that the Finance Committee and the Capital Improvement Committee approved the funding request for the heating system at the Lenox Community Center.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Director of Administrative Services Board of Selectmen
| 
