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June 30, 2003

Present:  Cris Irsfeld, George Shippey, Deb McMenamy, Attorney Philip Heller, Richard and Joann Rothbard, Attorney Lorie Robbins, Jonathan Stein, Sam Sorrentino-CTSB, Jeremy Clowe and Edgar Chamorro, cameramen and Jorja Marsden  

Announcement was made of the special town meeting on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. at the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club.  It is very important as we will be voting on the school budget.

Sam Sorrentino, CTSB, came to request permission to place a cabinet either in the Selectmen’s Office or within Town Hall, that would hold the camera equipment for the tapings of the Selectmen’s meetings.  The Selectmen approved the cabinet to be in Town Hall with the location to be decided.

Next on the agenda for a request for a liquor license for the American Craftsman Café located at 7 South Street.  Cris read the legal notice:  Notice is hereby given that a hearing will be held by the Board of Selectmen in their capacity as Licensing Board on an application for an annual Wine and Malt with Cordial Permit which has been filed with the Local Licensing Board by American Craftsman Café, Inc. d/b/a American Craftsman Café, Richard Rothbard, Manager for premises located at 7 South Street, Stockbridge, MA, consisting of the first floor and porch.  The Board will act on said application on Monday, June 30, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Office, Town Hall Building, 6 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA.

Attorney Lori Robbins gave an affidavit that the legal notice was published on June 11, 2003 in the Berkshire Eagle, and also list of abutters with copies of the certified mailings.

A letter was read into the record written by abutter, Anna Smith.  Ms. Smith stated “My husband and I do not oppose the granting of this permit, provided that the following conditions of the special permit for a change in use are strictly observed.  These include the restrictions on the number of parking spaces permitted, the closing off of the east driveway to restaurant traffic, the parking of no more than 2 cars in that east driveway for the use of tenants in the apartment, the limitation of the type of cooking that can take place and the venting of kitchen fans to the west, and the serving time ending at 10:00 p.m.  Finally, the review of the property functioning after a year in operation should be done by the selectmen as specified when the permit was granted.  These conditions seem pertinent to assure the compatible running of a restaurant with an alcoholic license in a neighborhood that remains residential in character.” 

The establishment hopes to open in the middle of July; however there has been the normal delays.

Deb moved that the application for a wine and malt with cordial permit be approved.  A second was received from George.   The vote was unanimous.

Attorney Philip Heller represented the Rothbards concerning the sign permits for 7 and 9 South Street.  The applicant wished to withdraw a directory sign at 9 South Street.  They wish to place three signs on the building: 8’x10”x1’8”, 15 sq. ft. west elevation, another 8’x10”x1’8”, 15 sq. ft. west elevation and one 4’x3’, 12 sq. ft. south elevation.  George made a motion to approve the application, Deb seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous.  The applicant also withdrew a free standing sign at 7 South Street.  The Rothbard’s wish to place two signs attached to the building, one sign 7’11”x1’4”, 11 sq. ft. west elevation, and one sign 6’x1’4”, 8 sq ft south elevations.  George made a motion to approve the signs for 7 South Street, a second was received from Deb.  The vote was unanimous.

Attorney Heller will furnish two new sign permit applications so that the correct information is on both.

Mr. Rothbard inquired about a “Open banner” when the business at 7 South was open.  The banner would be up for approximately one month.  The Selectmen asked him to come to them with what it would look like.

Richard Rothbard had requested a temporary sign advertising the Berkshire Summer Arts Festival on July 4, 5, and 6 at Butternut, however when the sign was placed on the lawn in front of the Cat and Dog Fountain it was removed and brought to Town Hall.   The Selectmen explained that no signs were permitted at that location therefore he could put it at the corner of Route 7 and 102, near the state signs, in front of the Abdalla’s house.  Mr. Rothbard will place the sign at that corner and apologized for it being in the wrong spot.

A bond of $9,000.00 was received from Dr. Peter Sherman of 16 Ice Glen Road as part of the Earth Removal Bylaw.  Dr. Sherman had removed soil to create a swimming pool at his property.  As per the bylaw a bond was needed to secure that the restoration of the land was restored.  Dr. Sherman has stated that the project is complete and  requested that his deposit be returned with interest. A motion was made by Deb to release with interest Dr. Sherman’s money, a second was received from George.  The vote was unanimous.  The Selectmen will speak with the treasurer, Karen Williams, to close that account and issue a check to Dr. Sherman.

The negotiations for the Cable Contract Renewal was a contract between the four towns-Lee, Lenox, Stockbridge and Great Barrington and Kopelman and Page.  The cost exceeded the estimate of the contract $8.00.  A motion to pay the extra amount of $8.00 making it a total of $883.00 was made by George.  A second was received from Deb.  The vote to pay our share of the contract to Kopelman and Page was unanimous.

 A thank you letter sent to Officer Rob Nielson was read.  “I just wanted to thank you for helping me unlock my car the other day.  Stupid calls like mine can probably feel like a waste of time, but we had a fun, memorable time at Ice Glen after the worries of my car were taken care of.  Thank you for being so positive and helpful even if it was just part of your job.  I appreciate the extra effort you put int.  Thanks again?  Sincerely Natalie and Walter Thomas from Nashua, NH.

A reminder that the Special Town Meeting will be July 22, 2003 at 6:30 at the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club.

George made a motion to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.  A second was received from Deb.  The vote was unanimous.

						A true copy, ATTEST: