Lanesborough Briefs: Pipeline, Truck Sale, and Road Race
 The Board of Selectmen opted to join the BRPC group. |
BRPC will provide legal and technical service to help the town manage issues regarding the line. Lanesborough is one of 12 towns BRPC is hoping will join together to negotiate various aspects of the pipeline.
"I think it is a good idea. It seems like they will be on the point," said Selectman Henry "Hank" Sayers.
The pipeline cuts into Lanesborough from Hancock, follows the utility lines directly into Cheshire and then off into Dalton.
Being part of the joint group will cost a little more than $6,000, Town Administrator Paul Sieloff said, and believes there are areas such as a consulting budget in which to draw the funds.
"I'm going to be meeting with the Finance Committee but I don't think there will be a problem with the financing," Sieloff told the Board of Selectmen.
The Selectmen are also looking to meet with company officials in March. That meeting will likely be held at the Elementary School.
Meanwhile, town resident Russell Freedman has been active in forming a coalition against the pipeline. Freedman says he'll likely be pushing for a warrant article to go to town meeting calling for a stance against the pipeline. He told the Selectmen on Thursday that he'd like their support and they said they'd like to hear more from him, too.
In other business, the Selectmen opted to reject the bids received for two trucks that are no longer used by the Fire Department.
"We were only offered $1,500. I believe the trucks are worth more," said Chairman John Goerlach.
The Selectmen agreed saying that the time of advertising it wasn't convenient for a lot of the contractors who may have considered it. Goerlach asked Sieloff to advertise the items more but Sieloff said there isn't much more he can do.
"It is not efficient to put it in the newspaper because it is too expensive," Sieloff said.
Goerlach also suggested setting a minimum bid. The new bids will be due in the spring.
The Selectmen also approved of the Berkshire Running Center and owner Kent Lemme plans to hold a road race on March 1. The third in a series of races Lemme has organized dubbed the "Frosted Mug" will start at Arizona Pizza on Route 8 at 11 a.m. The runners will head up to Old State Road and then back.
"Most of the participants will be done in 30-45 minutes," Lemme said.
The Selectmen approved it so long as Lemme hires two police officers to be present during the event.
Sieloff also reported that the applications for the police chief has expired and the Police Commission will start reviewing the applicants next week. The Commission will ultimately narrow down to a few candidates for the Board of Selectmen to interview.
Tags: gas pipeline, police chief,
