Welcome to Lee Townhall
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BOARD OF SELECTMEN Present: Gordon D. Bailey, Frank A. Consolati, Board of Selectmen, Ch.
Patricia D. Carlino, absent 1. Approval of Minutes: The Selectmen passed over approving the minutes of Oct. 18, 2006 due to the absence of Ch. Carlino. 2. Public Hearings: 7:00 PM – Board of Assessors – Tax Classification hearing – William Derrick and Edward Briggs, Board of Assessors, came before the Selectmen to state that they had unanimously voted to set a single tax rate for the town. The Assessors felt it was unfair to put a tax burden on commercial and industrial businesses because that type of business is needed in the town. The Assessors pointed out that the commercial and industrial businesses in town give generously of their money and services to many organizations in town. Selectman Bailey asked if reevaluations were still done every three years. The Assessors said that they are done every year for both residential and commercial properties. Selectman Bailey also asked how many industrial businesses there are in town and the answer was 68. There being no further discussion, the Selectmen voted, unanimously, to approve the recommendation of a single tax rate. The public hearing closed at 7:10 PM. 3. General Business: Selectman Bailey read a letter from Police Chief Ronald Glidden indicating he has received tentative approval of the grant through the Western Regional Homeland Security Advisory Council and the Executive Office of Public Safety for new police information management software. The town could receive as much as $47,300.00. This would supplement an appropriation approved at town meeting. The Board voted, unanimously, to sign an agreement with Verizon and Western Mass. Electric Co. to install six street lights located on poles on Park Street. The Board voted, unanimously, to approve an agreement with Lee Outlets, LLC, to release funds held in escrow to pay for additional traffic lights, if needed, to mitigate traffic. This was a condition of a special permit granted by the Planning Board when the mall was approved. Lee Outlets, LLC is responsible for payment of the electric bills for the traffic lights at the entrance to the mall. The state installed additional traffic lights when it redesigned the intersection of Route 102, 20 and the Mass. Turnpike. The Board voted, unanimously, to sign a warrant for the up-coming state election that outlines what positions are up for election and the ballot questions. This is posted by the Town Clerk. The Board received a letter of resignation from Freda Grim who can no longer be a member of the Lee Cultural Council because she is a member of the Finance Committee. The Board accepted her resignation with regret. The Board voted, unanimously, to approve six temporary trailer permits submitted by SK Design Group for storage and office use during construction at Oak N’ Spruce. Selectman Bailey said he took a ride through the resort and had no problem with where the trailers will be placed. Mr. Nason received a letter of interest in serving on the Personnel Board from Rebecca Riordan. Ms. Riordan is a Vice President of Human Resources at Country Curtains and has worked there since 1997. Mr. Nason explained that a vacancy opened in the Personnel Board due to the resignation of Susan Stevens. In the absence of candidates, he has been looking for someone with Ms. Stevens’ qualifications to fill the position. The Board voted, unanimously, to approve the appointment. 4. Pending Business: A recycling event will be held at the Springfield Materials Recycling Facility on Nov. 4, 2006 from 9 AM to 1 PM to recycle computer monitors and all computer peripherals. A limit of two monitors per car will be accepted for free for a donation of an unwrapped children’s holiday gift for a local charity. The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Nov. 6th at 6:15 PM to consider an application from Trustco Bank Corp. to install a drive-through window at their building at 43 Park Street. The Berkshire Medical Reserve Corp., an organization founded to help in the event of a catastrophe, either natural or manmade, is looking for volunteers to support their medical staff. 5. Town Administrator: Mr. Nason gave the members a memo discussing a 1995 GMC pickup truck that was no longer being used by wastewater treatment plant personnel. Originally, the surplus vehicle was going to be sold to the highest bidder and the funds returned to the undesignated sewer fund. However, he received a request from the building inspector, Don Torrico, to use this vehicle citing extraordinary wear and tear on his own vehicle due to the condition of roads and driveways leading to building sites. Mr. Nason looked at the cost and found it could cost the town approximately $200 less than paying the inspector for mileage. Mr. Nason also told the Board that he discussed several conditions for using the truck, which were (1) no commuting to and from work and no personal use, (2) if at any time the annual cost of providing the vehicle exceeded the cost of annual mileage reimbursement, the vehicle would no longer be assigned and (3) the vehicle will not be replaced. Mr. Torrico agreed to the conditions. After a brief discussion, with Selectman Bailey abstaining from the discussion, Selectman Consolati did not object to Mr. Nason assigning Mr. Torrico the vehicle for a trial period of up to six months. Tara Jones, who served as the town’s EMT/Janitor, recently tendered her resignation and a renamed position has been created, Custodian/EMT. The primary function of the job is to keep the town hall building and its surrounding sidewalks clean and safe. The position has been advertised in the Berkshire Eagle and the Berkshire Record. Applications can be obtained from the Selectmen’s office. Mr. Nason recently received a letter from Lisa Breault, Ambulance Director, recommending the appointment of Joseph Curtin as an occasional EMT. He, like Victoria Sorrentino, would be used when the Custodian/EMT was not available. Mr. Nason would make the appointment subject to the Board’s approval, and they voted, unanimously, to do so. Mr. Nason announced that the warrant and explanation of the warrant articles was posted on the town’s website, lee.ma.us. The residents in the town will once again benefit from the CDBG funded home
improvement program. A consultant will be present to take applications at the
Tri-Town Health building on Railroad Street on Wednesdays from 12:30 PM to 4:00
PM. 6. Public Comments: Selectman Bailey once again announced that Trick or Treat night will be Oct. 31st from 5 PM to 7 PM. With regard to having a Selectmen’s meeting at the middle/high school, Selectman Bailey asked Selectman Consolati if he had contacted the Chamber of Commerce if they would be interested in participating in such a meeting. Selectman Consolati had not had a chance to do so and Selectman Bailey said he was still waiting to hear back from the school superintendent and would follow-up on that. 7. Motion to adjourn: Respectfully submitted, Suzanne M. Alderman, Selectmen’s Secretary cc: Board of Selectmen Principal Assessor Dept. of Public Works |
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