Lee — The Select Board unanimously approved a new annual all-alcohol restaurant license on April 16 to D & G Hospitality LLC, doing business as Appetito, with its owners being Café Triskele’s Rebecca and Gilbert Clerget. The restaurant group was granted a business certificate on April 2.
“Well, you’ve got a good track record,” Chair Robert “Bob” Jones said to the couple’s representative appearing at the meeting.
Gilbert Clerget will serve as Appetito’s manager, and, together with Rebecca Gilbert, the Lee residents boast more than 50 years of restaurant experience, including two-and-a-half years at Triskele. The couple doesn’t plan to substantially change the former Timothy’s Pizzeria and Restaurant at 54 Main Street, a stone’s throw from Triskele, after purchasing its furniture, equipment, and fixtures. Timothy Spence, Timothy’s namesake and founder, died in January.
Prompted by Clerk Lee Bailey, the restaurant won’t have outdoor dining and would need to return to the Select Board for approval if exterior seating is desired. Appetito will be closed on Mondays, and its hours are anticipated to be noon to 8 p.m. during the summer.
Lee Youth Commission Chair Kathy Hall reported that the town’s April 15 pool party “was a huge success,” with 47 residents attending at the community center.
At the meeting, the Select Board signed the Lee Town Meeting and Election Warrant, with that meeting scheduled for May 9 at 7 p.m. in the Lee Middle/High School auditorium. The first five articles will be grouped together in a consent agenda, according to Town Administrator Christopher Brittain. The town election will be May 13 in the Crossway Gym, at the corner of High Street and Cross Way, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Town Warrant can be found here. The Town Meeting Summary can be found here. The Lee Sample Ballot can be found here.
Pursuant to a Berkshire Regional Planning Commission grant awarded to Lee from state funds, the board chair signed a contract with Berkshire Regional Planning Commission for a town planner. The grant included monies for recruiting the planner and a portion of the planner’s salary. The position is slated to be posted the week of April 16.
Bailey announced that the Zoning Board of Appeals was having trouble getting a quorum for its upcoming meeting set for April 24. He said he reached out to a former member of the Appeals Board, Richard Brittain, who agreed to step in until May 1 so the group can take action. The Select Board unanimously approved Richard Brittain in that position.
Members also renewed the town’s agreement with Community Television for the Southern Berkshires (CTSB) and approved a Berkshire Gas Permit for 160 Meadow Street.
Jones announced April 18, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., as the rescheduled date for the Upland Disposal Facility meeting hosted at Lee Middle/High School by representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The group tabled signing a deed for the sale of the Stockbridge Road barn due to logistical concerns, with the town needing to take care of some details first, Jones said.
