Lee Select Board Meeting – August 4, 2026

The Lee Select Board convened on August 4, 2026, to address public safety concerns on Mill Street, the operation of the Central Fire Station siren, an odor mitigation update from Green Theory Cultivation, and several routine approvals and appointments. Residents participated in public comment regarding traffic issues at the Mill Street bridge and a local tennis program.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the open session minutes of July 27, 2026 as written, after clarifying a date discrepancy on the agenda. (Unanimous)
• Signed and approved the warrant for the primary election on September 1, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Crossway Village. (Unanimous)
• Extended noise relief for public safety building construction and authorized the Chair to sign the response letter. (Unanimous)
• Approved the proclamation designating August 22, 2026 as Ninja Fit Playground Grand Opening Day at Lee Athletic Field. (Unanimous)
• Approved a temporary sign permit for Boston University Tanglewood Institute and waived the fee. (Unanimous)
• Appointed Nate Salvini to the Zoning Board of Appeals, subject to completing required training. (Unanimous)
• Appointed Peg Leclair to the Community Preservation Committee as the Affordable Housing Trust representative. (Unanimous)
• Extended Francine Larson’s ZBA training deadline to October 31, 2026, due to the next in-person training not being available until October. (Unanimous)
• Approved the installation of a new gas service at 455 Three Lock Street, including a police detail for traffic control. (Unanimous)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Claire (Lee resident, 110 Mill Street): Described dangerous conditions at the Mill Street bridge intersection, including frequent near-misses, honking, and verbal altercations. She stated her first preference would be to close the bridge entirely, but if not, to install a traffic light. She also proposed closing Washington Mountain Road to simplify the intersection, noting only three houses are affected. She informed the board that the Department of Public Works had trimmed vegetation to improve sight lines and asked the board to consider contacting MassDOT and residents about possible solutions.
• Unnamed resident (neighbor): Stated she did not have a strong preference for or against a traffic light, but requested involvement in the placement process if one is installed, as it would affect her driveway. She noted that most drivers are courteous and she does not experience the same level of conflict as Claire. She also promoted the town tennis program for high school students, offering free scholarships.

Discussion Items

Mill Street Bridge Traffic Light

• The board discussed long-standing safety issues at the Mill Street bridge, where one-lane alternating traffic has caused accidents and daily conflicts. Claire noted that one out of every ten interactions involves aggressive behavior. The bridge is structurally deficient and under frequent inspection; a full closure could occur if conditions worsen. MassDOT has recommended alternating stop signs as the current control measure. Installing traffic lights would be expensive and complicated by three intersecting legs (Mill Street, Washington Mountain Road, and a driveway). MassDOT has indicated they would install lights during the planned reconstruction expected next summer (2027), but the specific plan (full closure vs. one-lane construction) is still in design.
• The board agreed to pursue further vegetation clearing to improve visibility and to contact the residents of Washington Mountain Road to gauge their opinion on a possible closure of that road to simplify the intersection. They also committed to following up with Lenny Tesdale (DPW) on the status of the project.

Central Fire Station Siren

• The board reviewed options provided by Fire Chief Brown for the siren, which currently sounds from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Options include: changing the hours to 8 a.m.–6 p.m., adding a dampening device on the Main Street side (cost unknown), switching to air horns, using the siren only for second alarms, or phasing it out completely with a new building.
• Members expressed a desire to maintain safety while reducing neighborhood disturbance. They noted that some residents missed the siren when it was broken, and cited a gas leak incident where the siren was the only effective alert when radios and phones were off.
• The board agreed to ask Chief Brown to temporarily change the hours to 8 a.m.–6 p.m. and to provide a formal recommendation on which option balances safety and noise reduction. The town administrator will coordinate.

Update from Green Theory Cultivation (Odor Mitigation)

• Phil Silverman (Green Theory) and Mike Lannon (Tech Environmental, the town’s consultant) provided an update. The facility has sealed three of four grow rooms to be airtight and shut down the fourth due to roof issues. They have installed additional carbon filter fans (6 per grow room, plus units in hallways and drying rooms). The team is shifting from positive to negative pressure for better odor control.
• Lannon confirmed progress, noting that daytime odors have largely been eliminated, but nighttime and morning air expansion when the building heats up remains a challenge. He recommended a second-stage once-through carbon system to capture these events. A comprehensive odor management plan is being developed, with a draft expected in one month and finalization by the September meeting. The second-stage equipment should be installed by winter, before next spring when windows reopen.
• The board praised the progress but cautioned against past management lapses where equipment was turned off to save costs. They requested a follow-up report in one month.

Key Outcomes

• Mill Street Bridge: Board directed staff to explore further clearing at the intersection and to contact Washington Mountain Road residents about a possible closure of that road.
• Fire Siren: Board asked the Fire Chief to change siren hours to 8 a.m.–6 p.m. temporarily and provide a recommendation on long-term options.
• Green Theory: Odor mitigation plan draft due in one month (early September), final plan by late September; second-stage equipment installation targeted for winter. Next update at the September meeting.
• Noise Relief: Unanimously approved extension of noise relief for public safety building construction, allowing work to start earlier (6 a.m.) for concrete pours, within decibel limits. The highest recorded decibel level was 67, while passing tractor trailers reached 80.
• Proclamation: Unanimously approved Ninja Fit Playground Grand Opening proclamation for August 22, 2026.
• Appointments: All appointments approved unanimously as listed in Consent Calendar.
• Gas Service: Unanimously approved gas line installation at 455 Three Lock Street.
• Other: The Town Administrator announced that the Select Board’s alternate delegate seat on the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is available; interested members should contact Klee at the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. The meeting also recognized artist Sharon Delorme for donating paintings for the meeting room.