Meeting Minutes
SELECTBOARD’S MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020
6:00 PM – REGULAR SESSION VIA ZOOM
TOWN HALL, 334 MAIN STREET
6:00 PM - OPEN MEETING
1. CALL TO ORDER: S. Bannon, opened meeting addressing the public of the challenging time in our community, stated that he, E. Abrahams, Town Manager, M. Pruhenski, were in the room, with Erika from CTSB-TV taping, and that the other Selectboard members where on the line, K. Burke, L. Davis and B. Cooke.
2. ROLL CALL VOTE: S. Bannon, aye, E. Abrahams, aye; B. Cooke, aye; L. Davis, aye; and K. Burke aye. Town Manager announced that the Town Hall is still operating, adapting quickly to the ever-changing situation, as rapidly as possible. Citizens have had questions about taxes, elections, etc. These questions will be addressed and the information will be posted on the town’s website.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Continuation - Request to Continue to April 13, 2020, the Special Permit Application of School Street Parking, LLC, c/o Phillips International Holding Corp., 5 Cheshire Road,
Pittsfield, to construct and operate a commercial parking lot in a B-3 zone, and for work
Within the Water Quality Protection Overlay District, at 11 School Street, Great Barrington,
MA. (Discussion/Vote)
a. Motion to Continue, E. Abrahams, made a motion to continue the Special Permit Application of School Street LLC, c/o Phillips International Holding Corp., 5 Cheshire Road, Pittsfield, to April 13th, 2020; W. Cooke, seconded;
b. Roll Call Vote: L. Davis, aye; K. Burke, aye; B. Cooke, aye;
E. Abrahams, aye; S. Bannon, aye; 5-0; All in Favor.
B. Application of TangierGB LLC, Toni Bergins, Manager to Change the License Classification from the Common Victualler Wine and Malt Restaurant Liquor License to the Common Victualler All Alcoholic Restaurant Liquor License at 284 Main Street. (Discussion/Vote)
a. Open Public Hearing: E. Abrahams, opened Public Hearing, B.
Cooke, seconded; L. Davis, aye; K. Burke, aye; B. Cooke, aye;
E. Abrahams, aye; S. Bannon, aye; All in Favor 5-0.
b. Explanation of Project: T. Bergins, Manager said that their desire is
to be able to add more interesting drinks on the menu at the restaurant.
c. Speak in Favor/Opposition: S. Farina spoke in Favor.
d. Motion to Close Public Hearing; E. Abrahams, motion to close Public Hearing, B. Cooke, seconded; L.Davis, aye; K. Burke,, aye; B. Cooke, aye; E. Abrahams, aye; S. Bannon, aye; 5-0; All in Favor.
e. Motion re Findings: E. Abrahams made a motion to approve; B. Cooke, seconded; L.Davis, aye; K. Burke, aye; B. Cooke, aye; E. Abrahams, aye; S.Bannon, aye; All in Favor, 5-0.
f. Motion re Approval/Denial/Table: E. Abrahams made a motion to approve, B. Cooke, Seconded; L. Davis, aye; K. Burke, aye; B. Cooke, aye; E. Abrahams, aye; S. Bannon, aye; All in Favor, 5-0.
4. LICENSES OR PERMITS:
A. SB – Approval of Wyantenuck Country Club 2020 Seasonal Renewal of All Alcoholic Club Liquor License. E. Abrahams made a motion to approve the 2020 Seasonal Renewal of All Alcoholic Club Liquor License, B. Cooke, seconded; All in Favor; L. Davis, aye; K. Burke, aye; B. Cooke, aye; E. Abrahams, aye; S. Bannon, aye; All in Favor, 5- 0.
5. NEW BUSINESS:
A. SB – Open Meeting Law Complaint from Susan Jennings. (Discussion/Vote): M. Pruhenski said that the complaint was in relation to the non-posting of Rest of River Executive Sessions. E. Abrahams made a motion to send the response contained in the packet to the Attorney General, B. Cooke, seconded; L. Davis, abstention; K. Burke, aye; B. Cooke, aye; E. Abrahams aye; S. Bannon, aye; 4-0-1; L. Davis abstained.
B. SB – Authorize the Town Moderator to Delay the May Annual Town Meeting.
E. Abrahams made a motion for the Town Moderator to delay the May Annual Town Meeting, B. Cooke, seconded; L. Davis, aye; K. Burke, aye; B. Cooke, aye; E. Abrahams, aye; S. Bannon, aye; All in Favor, 5 - 0.
C. SB - To Change the Time of the Selectboard 2020 Regular Meetings.
Discussion of whether or not to change the time of the meeting to 6 pm. K. Burke said it was better for her at 7 pm, B. Cooke, felt that 7 pm worked for him. K. Burke mentioned that 6 pm on busy agenda nights could be possible. S. Bannon said to keep as is at 7 pm.
D. SB – Temporary Procedures for Signing Vendor and Payroll Warrants.
E. Abrahams made a motion for Town Manager or Assistant Town Manager and Selectboard Chair or Vice-Chair to sign the Warrants (payroll and vendor) as permitted by law; B. Cooke, seconded; L. Davis aye; K. Burke, aye; B. Cooke, aye; E. Abrahams, aye; S. Bannon, aye; All in Favor, 5 - 0.
E. SB – Declaration of Local State of Emergency.
E. Abrahams read the Declaration for the Board to approve for the Local State Emergency; B. Cooke seconded; L. Davis, aye, K. Burke, aye, B. Cooke, aye; E. Abrahams, aye; S. Bannon, aye; All in Favor, 5 - 0.
TOWN OF GREAT BARRINGTON
DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a highly contagious and potentially fatal respiratory disease, the prevalence of which is increasing rapidly throughout the world, inclusive of the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts issued a Declaration of a State of Emergency to Respond to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization designated the COVID-19 outbreak a Pandemic Health Emergency; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States announced a national declaration of emergency; and
WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, Governor Baker announced and updated the March 15, 2020 emergency actions to respond to the evolving COVID-19 public health emergency impacting the Commonwealth, including prohibitions on public gatherings of ten or more people, continuing to prohibit on-premises consumption of food or drink at bars and restaurants from March 17, 2020, until April 6, 2020, as well as suspension of elementary and secondary school educational operations from March 17, 2020, until April 6, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Great Barrington Selectboard in consultation with its Health Department and the State Department of Public Health, has determined that COVID-19 presents a major disaster which poses an immediate threat to public health, safety, and general welfare of people residing both within and outside of Great Barrington; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Great Barrington Selectboard has determined that immediate public action is needed in order to prevent or minimize the spread of COVID-19 by and among the people of Great Barrington; and
WHEREAS, it is critical to take additional steps to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to protect the health and welfare of the people of Great Barrington; and
WHEREAS, declaring a state of emergency will facilitate and expedite the use of resources to protect persons from the impacts of COVID-19, including but not limited to emergency expenditures pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 31 and limitations on operating hours and access to public buildings; and
WHEREAS, the Great Barrington Selectboard recommends that a state of emergency be declared in the Town of Great Barrington.
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Selectboard of the Town of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, hereby declare that as of March 23, 2020, a state of emergency exists in the Town of Great Barrington. This declaration of emergency shall remain in effect until further notice is given, pursuant to our judgment that the conditions leading to this declaration no longer exist.
Date: ___March 23, 2020 ____________________________________
Name: Stephen Bannon
Title: Chairman/Selectboard
6. CITIZEN SPEAK TIME:
Steve Farnia, Railroad Street, commented that the meeting went well.
Anne O’ Dwyer wanted to know why there wasn’t an extension to nomination papers.
Micheal Wise said that today a bill was passed to delay elections.
7. SELECTBOARD’S TIME:
L. Davis wanted some information to be posted on the website about definitions of essential and nonessential workers.
K. Burke wanted to remind citizens to help our local businesses by getting take out/ deliver of food, tip well, gift cards, order online gift certificates, farm stores; donate rubber gloves you are not needing to the hospital, stay at home; wash hands and say “thank you”; sew face masks (leave at Town Hall); give to VIM, Berkshire Grown, Food Pantry; if need help, Mass Health Applications can be done over the phone. Unemployment Insurance, is also over the phone, don’t have to wait the two-week waiting period. The mobile food bank in Dalton is open, stay in the car; worker will put it in the car for you. If need mental health help, call, 413.499.0402, need Snap, 413.387.3838; Oil assistance, BCAC; WIC, 413.528.0487; essential worker child care, email C. Burger at Cburger@ townofgb.org; lastly, website help to build a website of local talent to connect to one another and the community, contact K. Burke at 413.822.6272.
E. Abrahams said that if any contractor has masks, they can drop them off at the Town Hall, to be given to the Hospital. Contact Covid19 @ townofgb.org.
8. MEDIA TIME: no
9. ADJOURNMENT: E. Abrahams made a motion to adorn the meeting, B. Cooke seconded; L. Davis, aye, K. Burke, aye, B. Cooke, aye, E. Abrahams, aye; S. Bannon, aye; All in Favor,
5 - 0.
Respectfully submitted,
Jamie M. Minacci
Recording Secretary