Lee Select Board Meeting - April 7, 2026

The Lee Select Board met on April 7, 2026, to conduct town business, including a public hearing, budget review, warrant approval, personnel decisions, and project updates.

Public Hearing

• The board held a public hearing on a lodging accommodation license for the Black Swan Inn. Owner Mayor Patel presented the application for the 52-room inn. After verification of approvals from the fire chief, building official, and board of health, the board unanimously approved the license.

Public Comments

• Leslie Gabrielle (Veterans for Peace, Daniel Shays chapter) invited the board and community to a "Deep Dive" event on April 25 in Pittsfield featuring journalist Chris Hedges. She promoted the event as an opportunity to discuss PCB issues and environmental innovation. Board members clarified they would attend as individuals, not board representatives.

Discussion Items

1. Large-Scale Solar and BES Moratorium Update

• Town Planner Brooke reported that the Planning Board will hold a public hearing on April 27 for a temporary moratorium on battery energy storage systems (BES), but not large-scale solar, as the existing solar bylaw is considered sufficient. Board members expressed support for the BES moratorium due to safety concerns (fire chief noted that BES fires are very difficult to extinguish). A placeholder article for the moratorium is on the warrant.

2. Seasonal Communities Designation

• Brooke recommended postponing adoption of the Seasonal Communities designation pending state legislation (Seasonal Communities 2.0) that may impose additional requirements. The board agreed to wait for final state action before including it in a future town meeting.

3. Annual Town Meeting and Election Dual Warrant

• Town Administrator Chris presented the warrant articles in detail, highlighting budget increases (health insurance increased 14.4% after removing GLP-1 weight loss drugs from plans, lowering an originally proposed 22% increase; IT consolidation; animal control shared service among 8 towns with Lee's net cost ~$21,000), capital requests ($799,100 from free cash, including kennel improvements and new parks & rec capital), and various bylaw changes. After discussion, the board voted to sign the dual warrant for the May 14 town meeting and May 18 town election.

4. Police Chief Interview and Appointment

• The board discussed the interview of Lieutenant Stephanie Burdick for the position of police chief, succeeding Chief DeSantis who is retiring July 17. Board members praised her interview, experience, and community ties. The board voted unanimously to appoint Lieutenant Burdick as chief effective July 17, pending contract negotiations.

5. Intermunicipal Agreement for Council on Aging Director

• The board approved an intermunicipal agreement with Stockbridge to share a Council on Aging director. Current Stockbridge director Katie Sweet will serve 75% for Lee and 25% for Stockbridge, with a new 15-hour assistant. The arrangement saves the town approximately $10,000 per year and maintains existing services. The motion passed unanimously.

6. Other Approvals and Permits

• The board approved: a vote to staff polling locations for the town election; opting out of early vote by mail (saving $7,000); renewal of seasonal package store license for Route 102 (extended to January 15); temporary sign permits and fee waivers for the Chamber of Commerce (restaurant week) and First Congregational Church; one-day alcohol license for St. Mary’s School; a utility cut permit for a sprinkler system at 135 Stockbridge Road.
• The board also acknowledged that a Berkshire gas permit for Golden Hill was not needed due to private road.

7. PCB Scientific Advisor Designation

• The board designated a current town employee (a chemist with PCB experience) as a special municipal employee for a PCB scientific advisory role, with a $6,000 annual stipend. This will supplement the town's consultant and save on hourly fees. Approved unanimously.

8. Appointment and Conflict of Interest

• Dorothy French was appointed to the 250th Anniversary Committee as the school committee representative.
• The board authorized the chair to sign a conflict of interest disclosure for Ann LeBier, a committee member who may provide printing services.

9. Real Estate Update (Price Chopper Property)

• The board announced that the town had offered $1.9 million to purchase the former Price Chopper property (sold at auction for $1.35 million to Xavier, who exercised a right of refusal). The offer was contingent on appraisal and town meeting approval, but it was declined. Board member Bob Gordon expressed interest in hearing resident feedback on spending. A resident (Mayor Patel of Black Swan) commented on the need for property upkeep.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals: Minutes, lodging license, warrant signing, polling staffing, opt-out of early mail voting, seasonal package store renewal, shared COA agreement, sign permits, alcohol license, utility permit, police chief appointment, PCB advisor designation, and 250th committee appointment.
• Decisions: Postponed adoption of seasonal communities designation; will not proceed with Price Chopper purchase at this time.
• Next Steps: Warrant and supplemental information to be posted online; town meeting May 14, election May 18; public safety building groundbreaking April 24; Planning Board hearing on BES moratorium April 27. A board member thanked MassDOT for installing a new crosswalk signal on Park Street.