Lee Select Board Meeting – January 6, 2026

The Lee Select Board met at 7 p.m. on January 6, 2026. It approved prior meeting minutes, delayed and then conducted a public hearing for a restaurant license, discussed a fee waiver for the West Center Street affordable housing project, approved one-day liquor licenses and appointments, and heard the town administrator’s report. The next regular meeting is January 20, 2026.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the open session minutes of December 23, 2025 by unanimous voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comment was offered at the start of the meeting or during the public hearing.

Discussion Items

• Green Theory Cultivation update: Attorney James attended because the acting CEO remained ill. The town had received a $10,000 payment and a signed agreement; the next $20,000 payment is due February 1, 2026. Board members asked about the odor mitigation system; James said progress was being made but he would follow up by email about whether the system had been activated.
• West Center Street affordable housing fees: The board continued discussing possible waiver or reduction of building, electrical, and plumbing permit fees; water connection fees are not under town authority. Building commissioner Matt described inspection workloads at Eagle Mill and similar large projects, including plan reviews of 6-7 hours, weekly or biweekly site visits, and 2-3 visits per week during foundation work. Stephanie of CS CDC said total hookups were roughly $300,000, project costs were about $26-27 million, and the requested fee forgiveness was about $250,000 out of roughly $500,000 in total fees. She said the project was invited to apply (not selected) for One Stop funding, with an application planned for March, and cited a Lenox project’s roughly $750,000 local request as evidence that local match matters. Board members supported exploring a 50% reduction of building department fees but wanted hard cost figures to ensure Lee and Stockbridge inspection costs are covered and to avoid an unwanted precedent. The board asked the developer to submit a draft agreement and cost estimates; town counsel will review it and the board will take it up at a future meeting.
• Public hearing for Keep It Crispy LLC d/b/a JuJu’s: Applicant Josh requested a new annual all-alcohol restaurant license and new entertainment licenses (one for weekdays/Saturday and one for Sunday). Alcohol serving hours were amended to 11 a.m. to midnight; the restaurant normally closes at 9 p.m. (8 p.m. in winter), with later hours intended for private events and community gatherings rather than a late-night bar. Entertainment hours were set at 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a maximum five-person band. The applicant agreed to the 10 p.m. entertainment cutoff after board concern about late-night noise.
• Short-term rental discussion: The item was added at residents’ request, but no requesting short-term rental owner attended, so the board took no action and tabled the item.
• Naming contest for 300 Stockbridge Road: The board discussed naming the roughly 218-acre town-owned open space. The land was acquired in the 1990s for a golf course and later connected with CPA funds; studies recommended preserving it for agriculture and nature. Planned work includes a trail connecting to Long Cope and Fairview Street, continued haying/meadow management, and elementary school tree planting. The board endorsed a public naming contest with about a month for submissions, requiring a proposed name and up to 500-word explanation; the winner will be chosen at a later board meeting and will receive a page in the FY26 annual town report.
• One-day alcohol licenses: The board approved a license for the Lee Fire Company’s annual Christmas party (discussion referenced Jan. 9-10) and a license for the Lee Sportsman’s Association fundraising dinner on January 31, 2026, from 3 to 10 p.m.
• 250th Anniversary Committee appointments: The board appointed the slate read aloud. Several seats remain open, including Cultural Council, Knights of Columbus staff member, Parks and Recreation, VFW, and school staff member.
• Special municipal employee designation: The board designated the IT director position as a special municipal employee so the current IT director, Mitch Ars, can also take a full-time EMT/firefighter position while continuing his part-time, under-800-hours IT role.
• Berkshire Gas permit: The board approved a gas service replacement at 80 Tamarack Avenue, in the rear of the property, with police and DPW sign-offs and no police detail required.
• Town administrator’s report: Chris announced Catherine McCormick as the new assistant clerk/collector, a signed contract with J&J for the public safety building project, and the first “Neighborly News” newsletter paid for by sponsors.

Key Outcomes

• Approved December 23, 2025 minutes.
• Approved the all-alcohol restaurant license for Keep It Crispy LLC d/b/a JuJu’s with 11 a.m.–midnight alcohol service.
• Approved the two entertainment licenses for JuJu’s with 11 a.m.–10 p.m. entertainment and a five-person band maximum.
• Approved the Lee Fire Company one-day alcohol license.
• Approved the Lee Sportsman’s Association one-day alcohol license for January 31, 3–10 p.m.
• Approved the 250th Anniversary Committee appointments as listed.
• Designated the IT director position as a special municipal employee.
• Approved the Berkshire Gas permit for 80 Tamarack Avenue.
• Endorsed the naming contest for the 300 Stockbridge Road property.
• Deferred action on the West Center Street fee waiver pending a draft agreement and cost figures; no vote was taken.
• Took no action on the short-term rental discussion item.