Alan Wilken takes a break from snow-cycling on a Stockbridge dirt road.

Town Boards

Notes from the Stockbridge Community Preservation Committee

Meeting December 18, 2020 via Zoom

Committee Members:

(CPC members include representatives from other town commissions, boards, and committees including two appointed by the select board)

Planning Board Representative: Gary Pitney
Planning Board Representative: Bill Vogt
Finance Committee Representative: Jay Bikofsky
Board of Assessors Representative: Tom Stokes
Parks & Recreation Representative: Steve Knopf
Housing Authority Representative: Chuck Gillett
Historical Commission Representative: Linda Jackson
Conservation Representative: Sally Underwood-Miller – Chair
Select Board Representative: Jessica Meagher
Select Board Representative: Dr. Carole Owens

Present were:

Sally Underwood-Miller [chair]
Carole Owens
Gary Pitney
Linda Jackson
Tom Stokes
Patrick White

The Committee met to set the calendar for FY2021 and review documents.

There were no suggestions to revise current documents.

The calendar was set for FY2021 as follows:

January 8 - 6pm Public Meeting: The public will submit preliminary proposals and ask questions.

January 22 - NOON Application deadline: 10 hard copies due in the town office. One digital copy due to the Committee via email. This is a hard deadline, and no application will be accepted after noon on January 22, 2021.

February 19 - 5pm Voting Meeting: Committee meets to discuss/vote on the applications.

February 26 - 5pm Backup meeting as needed.

Probable upcoming projects from the Town will include the Chime Tower and Civil War Monument. The Committee might consider prioritizing those projects that will require a Mass Historical Commission match.

Patrick White pointed out that there are unexpended funds that may be available for new projects because funds awarded but unexpended in three years, return to CPC.

Field after recent melt with Old Stockbridge Road in the background.

Notes from Board of Selectmen

Meeting December 14 and 18, 6:30 PM via Zoom

At the Monday, December 14 meeting:

1. Select Board hired Erika Olsen to replace retired Town Collector/Treasurer, Karen Williams. Assistant Collector/Treasurer, Christine Goretti, will remain in her position.
2. Stockbridge Bowl Association (SBA) filed for $25,000 in legal costs they incurred suing the town. In advance of the judge's ruling, the Select Board settled and paid SBA $18,500. The matter is now closed.

At the December 18 meeting:

Ernest (Chuckie) Cardillo, Select Board Chair
Roxanne McCaffrey, Select Board Member
Patrick White, Select Board Member

Also present: Michael Canales, Town Administrator; Richard Seltzer, SBA; Jamie Minacci, Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship; Bill Vogt, Planning Board; Kyle Ronayne, Tanglewood; Nick Paleologos, Berkshire Theater Group (BTG); Marc Wilhelm, Wheatleigh.

1. Michael Canales reported, "soon it will be move-in day at the town garage"; the contract was awarded for the Curtisville Bridge and work will resume; the engineers are finalizing work on Larrywaug Bridge. Finally, he reported an extension was granted so $1,000,000 in state matching funds for Larrywaug Bridge repair remains available.
2. Last May, the Select Board approved construction of a section of raised pavement at the intersection of Main Street and Route 7 – called Red Lion corner. The installation will now commence. Step one will be to paint the area to accustom drivers to what is coming. The painted area will be followed by building the raised area. The raised pavement is intended to slow and direct traffic at the intersection.
3. Canales led a discussion about the replacement of the Main Street trash receptacles. No decision was reached.
4. White informed the Board that he applied for $20,000 for propane heaters through the Shared Streets Program. If the grant is awarded, Stockbridge will be able to heat outdoor spaces for dining (for example).
5. The entertainment licenses renewal included the state mandate that all closings in residential areas be uniform. Because Stockbridge has so many event spaces in residential areas, an 11 P.M. closing was suggested. However, the entertainment venues such as BTG, Tanglewood, and Wheatleigh argued that the comparatively early closing made them less competitive in attracting weddings and other events. Cardillo and McCaffrey supported the earlier closing and suggested the venues apply for special permits to extend the closing time when necessary. White cautioned that these venues have been hurt by COVID and need immediate support. The vote was 2 for and 1 opposed – Cardillo and McCaffrey for, White opposed — it passed.
6. On behalf of SBA, Richard Seltzer requested that the Select Board apply for whole lake weed harvesting in 2021. White pointed out that in 2020 Seltzer was quoted in The Berkshire Eagle as being opposed to whole lake harvesting. Harvesting is subject to the state Department of Environmental Protection's approval. Seltzer was assured that the town is taking all steps in the best interest of the lake. Seltzer thanked the select board.

Stockbridge harvester on the lake in 2019.