Regular Meeting of the Lenox Select Board - October 21, 2026

The Lenox Select Board held its regular meeting on October 21, 2026, at 5:00 PM in Town Hall. The meeting covered announcements, a presentation on the sewer asset management plan, and extensive discussion of articles to be placed on the November 5 special town meeting warrant. Key topics included a wastewater treatment plant upgrade, parking improvements, school bus enforcement, affordable housing funding, library dome repairs, fire apparatus maintenance, road paving, and funding for an independent historical building evaluation.

Consent Calendar

• Donation acceptance: $1,000 for the Fire Department.
• Donation acceptance: $1,000 for the Police Department.
• One-day all-alcohol liquor license for October 28 at Benford Hall (certified bartender present).
• Unanimously approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public addressed the board.

Presentation: Sewer Asset Management Plan

• Dave Pricket of DPC Engineering presented an overview of the town’s sewer asset management plan, funded by a $150,000 grant. The plan covers 136,000 feet of pipe, 651 manholes, and pump stations. Work included GIS mapping updates, 3D manhole inspections, and pipe camera inspections to identify cleaning needs, trenchless rehabilitation opportunities, and replacement priorities. The program helps meet EPA permit requirements and extends asset life. The wastewater treatment plant upgrade is 25% complete. A potential project to redirect flow from the Pittsfield connection to the Lenox plant could provide cost savings and add customers; USDA has expressed interest in financing with a grant component. Additionally, a $350,000 Mass DEP energy grant for aerators will reduce loan costs and future energy use.

Discussion Items: Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles

Article 2: Eversource Easement – Convey an easement to Eversource for new electrical service at the wastewater treatment plant (no cost to town).

Article 3: Parking Lot & EV Chargers – Accept donated land from Beacon Bank and an easement from Adams Community Bank to add parking spaces and install EV chargers at the Main Street municipal parking lot.

Article 4: Future Easements Authority – Authorize the Select Board to accept easements for sidewalks, drainage, utilities, and trails through June 2027 without requiring town meeting approval, as recommended by the Town Council.

Article 5: School Bus Stop Arm Enforcement – Authorize the school department to procure a video detection system for buses and allow police enforcement. Estimated cost ~$3,200 per camera. School committee will present details at town meeting.

Article 6: Seasonal Community Designation – Briefly noted; previously discussed.

Article 7: Affordable Housing Trust Funding – Appropriate $156,472.26 (50% of short-term rental taxes collected, about $313,000) to the Affordable Housing Trust for homeownership programs, CDBG, and potential new construction. The trust typically receives 25%; a larger request was made this year due to higher revenue.

Article 8: Library Dome Repair – Authorize free cash to cover the gap between remaining funds (~$1.1–1.3 million) and the $1.8 million bid for structural roof repair, HVAC replacement, and fire suppression system. The Lenox Library Association may contribute.

Article 9: Fire Department Pumper Repair – Appropriate $50,000 from free cash to address a failed head gasket and other potential engine issues on a 2011 pumper, extending its service life by 10–15 years (replacement cost ~$1 million).

Article 10: Road Paving Program – Appropriate free cash for paving to supplement increased state Chapter 90 funding (over $400,000) and leverage the Winter Road Assistance Program ($137,000) which closed last season’s deficit.

Article 11: Historic Building Evaluation – Appropriate $20,000 (possibly amendable to $25,000) for a second, independent structural assessment of the 1902 Guy Lowell‑designed building. Historical Commission members stressed the need for an impartial evaluation by qualified preservation engineers, given concerns about previous assessments. DCR supports the review and will not act until it is complete. The developer has agreed to grant access but will not contribute funding. The Select Board expressed strong support for this step, noting it provides essential data for the demolition delay hearing.

Articles 12–14: Zoning Amendments – Minor changes, sponsored by the Planning Board, to be detailed at town meeting.

Key Outcomes

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously.
• The presentation on the sewer asset management plan was received; staff will continue grant‑funded work and pursue USDA financing for the pump station project.
• The warrant for the November 5 special town meeting was approved unanimously, subject to minor clerical corrections (date and sponsoring body notation).
• Upcoming workshops for the special town meeting will be held on October 27 at 1:30 PM and 5:30 PM in the Town Hall auditorium.
• The next regular Select Board meeting is scheduled for November 4.