Minutes of Meeting – November 29, 2017; meeting called to order at 7:00pm. Present: Dave Roche; Ken Fowler; Warren Archey; Channing Gibson. Absent: Ed Lane.
MOTION by WA, seconded by KF to accept the Minutes of November 15. 3/0 vote with CG abstaining.
Citizen’s Open Forum: None.
Consent Agenda: MOTION by WA, seconded by CG to approve the consent agenda as follows: temporary signs to Spirited; appointment of Linda Messana to the Housing Authority; one-day W&M license to Ventfort Hall for 12/16 from 5-9:30pm; donation to the police department. 4/0 vote. MOTION by WA, seconded by CG to grant a one-day A/A license to Ventfort Hall for 12/4 from 6-10pm. 4/0 vote.
MOTION by WA, seconded by CG to ratify the CAO appointment of Amy Lafave as Library Director, effective January 2, 2018. 4/0 vote.
FY18 Tax Classification Public Hearing: Board of Assessors Chairman Wayne Lemanski met with the Board to hold the annual tax classification hearing. The clerk read the hearing notice as it appeared in the newspaper. MOTION by WA, seconded by CG to open the public hearing. 4/0 vote. Chairman Lemanski presented the Board with statistics as to new growth ($31M), values, rates, etc. He stated that the Board, once again, is recommending a split tax rate. The TM then went through various power point documents included in the Board’s meeting packet. After a brief discussion, MOTION by CG, seconded by KF to close the public hearing. 4/0 vote. MOTION by WA, seconded by CG to adopt a residential factor of 0.954 for the purposes of determining the Fiscal 2018 tax rate ($12.14 residential;
$14.98 commercial/industrial/personal property). 4/0 vote.
National Register District: Olga Weiss came before the Board to discuss the next steps in the Lenox Center becoming listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Property owners located in the designated area need to be contacted, explaining to them what it means to be listed in the National Register. She explained that this is an honorary designation, and that owners of income-producing properties would be eligible for certain federal tax incentives for substantial rehabilitation according to standards set by the Department of the Interior. In addition, National Register properties receive limited protection from adverse effects of federally assisted projects and limited protection from state actions. Properties would also be eligible for matching state grants, when available, for restoration of
properties owned by private non-profit organizations and municipalities. This designation in no way limits owners on how they handle renovations to their property, i.e. paint colors, etc. The Board thanked her for all her work toward this project. She then reminded everyone about the last of the 250th events. The Cantilena Chamber Choir will be performing at the Trinity Church on 12/3 at 3pm for a concert, followed by a reception.
BOS Reports: CG stated that the CPC has now heard from all of the applicants, and that the new process is working very well. The next meeting of the CPC is 12/11. WA mentioned that he is working with the CAO on his letter to the Governor regarding PCBs. Both he and the CAO feel that the Board should get together as a whole to work on the letter further. CG suggested asking Tim Gray if he would like to have any input into the letter. DR reminded everyone that the VFW will be hosting a Christmas reception on Sunday, 12/10 from 12-2pm at the Academy building.
Meeting adjourned at 7:56pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Director of Administrative Services Board of Selectmen
List of Documents: E-mail requesting temporary signage from Spirited; e-mail seeking appointment to the Housing Authority; one-day W&M license application; donation e-mail from police department.
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