The Selectmen will rank candidates to build a municipal solar array over the next two weeks.

LENOX, Mass. — The town has narrowed down the list of potential developers for the solar project at the waste-water treatment plant and landfill.

 

"All four do have extensive experience," said Board of Selectmen Chairman Channing Gibson on Wednesday. "Each company has their own way of doing things and all of the details are in these proposals."

 

Selectman Ken Fowler has been working on the project and says he's vetted two of the four proposals, and was very impressed. He said the final decisions was going to come down to the "nut and bolts" of how the proposal fits in with what the town is trying to do.

 

"Some of these proposals are tomes and it will take a little while to get through it," Fowler said. 

 

The candidates will be ranked in the next two weeks and interviews are expected to take place in the winter.

 

In other business, the Selectmen are pleased with the change in the Kinder Morgan's plans for a pipeline. The energy company has changed its plans to build a new Tennessee Gas Pipeline through Lenox, instead rerouting it north of the town.

 

But, the Selectmen aren't sitting back on their laurels. 

 

"I think we have to be extremely vigilant. These people make decisions like a squirrel crossing the road. They could be right back at us," said Selectman David Roche.

 

The Selectmen had also approved two applications for assistance through the Berkshire Regional Planning Committee's District Local Technical Assistance program. The town hopes BRPC will help them look at what impacts forthcoming regulations on veterans services will have on the town and get extra help regarding the impact the cleanup of the Housatonic River will have.

 

Construction work at the community center has wrapped up, according to Selectman Edward Lane. Lane said the bid was "late in the construction season" so the project wasn't finished by winter. However, the workers had improved drainage, done grading, installed a sewer line and built a retaining wall.

 

"We pulled the plug on it a few weeks ago because it didn't make sense to blacktop a basketball court," Lane said.

 

The basketball court will be poured in the spring and Lane didn't "think we will lose much time with the programs there."

 

Gibson also reported that the state is looking closer at using the Boston University Tanglewood Institute more. Gibson said using that campus year round — particularly for education — would be of great benefit to the town.  

 

The Selectmen also wanted to remind senior citizens of an array of tax programs the town offers. With increases in both utility costs and bills, the Selectmen said there are ways to alleviate the cost burden for elderly.

 

"We are particularly sensitive to those living on fixed incomes," Gibson said.

 

Those programs include a senior exemption of $750 for those over 65 who fit into income guidelines; an exemption for those over the age of 60 for the Community Preservation Act tax; and a senior tax work-off program allowing seniors to work in town for a rebate on taxes.

 

"We take our responsibility seriously to keep the town affordable for those who have lived here all of their lives," Roche said.