Lenox Officials Dismayed by Parking Vote, Move Ahead on Solar
 Selectmen David Roche and Channing Gibson were disappointed in town meeting's rejected of a proposed parking bylaw they believe would have boosted downtown business. |
LENOX, Mass. — The Selectmen are putting last week's failure of a parking bylaw down to a paucity of voters and the failure to convince residents of its importance to the town's business economy.
"I was really disappointed in the failure of the Planning Board's article," said Chairman Channing Gibson. "I think we didn't do a good enough job of selling it."
Town officials had made information available on the proposal to lift parking and loading requirements within a designated Village Center Parking Overlay District through every possible outlet: online, mailings, TV, word of mouth, etc.
"One of the reasons that we enjoy a 1.5 percent [tax] increase is because of the fact that we generate over $2 million a year in rooms and meals taxes," said Selectman David Roche. "That goes a long way to keeping the tax rate down ...
"This parking bylaw went hand in hand with our parking regulations where people have to rotate their cars ... hopefully, this will come up again [so] we can do a better job of explaining it — it sells itself; it makes perfect sense given our grand scheme of things."
The bylaw would have made it much easier for new businesses to take over at least 10 vacant storefronts that now require parking access.
Those empty storefronts now "cannot be anything but what they are without coming up against parking and loading restrictions," said Gibson.
They discussed different potential formats for future town meetings — one that may include an information session followed by all-day balloting the following day, or even two meetings per year.
"Don't people understand that we really and truly want input," emphasized Ed Lane, who was recently elected next term's chairman.
"I love the voters of Lenox, and I love the discussions that they provoke, but I can't help but say that I'm a little disappointed with attendance," said Roche. "People should be able to be informed voters."
On the other hand, the board was fine about the failure to pass an article tjat would have led to paving part of Ore Bed Park, near the cemetery.
"It's probably going to be my final resting place, I don't want some tourist tickling my toes," joked Roche.
In other business, Selectman Ken Fowler said conversations about installing commercial solar panels at the closed landfill are moving along nicely.
A decision was made not to locate one at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. "[It made] no sense to take up space down there that we may need for future expansion on the facility," according to Fowler. "We would be looking for additional solar energy to supplement what we lost there."
"The proposed landfill array will not quite meet all of the town's needs, so additional locations for arrays are being investigated."
Gibson added that they were "very hopeful that perhaps we can make a deal with Lee ... [to develop a solar field in conjunction with Lee]. It could be a really good opportunity for us, so we're starting those conversations."
However, Roche said he "had mixed emotions" about raising or eliminating the net metering cap at the Willow Creek Road landfill.
"If they get rid of the cap, what it's going to do is provide a lot of free electricity – [for] the people who don't have solar, their bills would increase," he said. That would include paying for pole maintenance and other such upkeep costs.
"I was certainly in favor of generating all the clean energy as we could, [but] I don't necessarily feel that the people who don't have the ability to generate solar or have solar should have to ... get stuck with a higher bill to maintain the infrastructure."
Gibson agreed, but noted, "If they don't raise or get rid of those caps, it's going to be tougher for us ... we need at least a raising of the cap in order for us to accomplish all the things we want to do with solar."
• A large memorial gift has been given to the Lenox Library by the family of Marion Rutledge, to be used to beautify Roche Reading Park. The library will be working with the Department of Public Works in planting perennials, ordering more picnic tables, and settingup meetings to schedule mowing and maintenance to make an attractive, shady place for people to rest and visit throughout the nice weather.
• Ken Kelly, member of the Richmond/West Stockbridge Artists' Guild, announced during citizen's forum the upcoming Undermountain Farm Clean Air Event, Saturday, May 16, from 10 to 1 (rain date Sunday from 1-4) that is open to amateur and professional artists and photographers.
"These Paint-Out events are really cool, you can walk around and see what the artists are doing on their easels ... it's becoming very popular. I think it's a good idea," said Gibson.
• A forum on the town's proposed open space plan will be held Tuesday, June 16, at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall auditorium. Gibson and the board are hoping everyone shows up to see "what opportunities it presents for us and some of the ideas that the town can begin to get its head wrapped around in developing open space and recreation concepts for our future."
• There were no new developments concerning the Tennessee Gas pipeline, though discussions are continually under way, and residents are encouraged to seek out information on the town's website if they wish to be involved.
• No new developments have arisen with Rest of River either, but "we all know what the challenge is, and we're just waiting for the next opportunity to be heard," assured Gibson.
Tags: business development, downtown, parking, solar array,
