Stockbridge Updates
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HomeArchiveVol. II No. 03 2/1/2021Town Boards and Committees
Vol. II No. 03 2/1/2021

Town Boards and Committees

Notes from the Stockbridge Community Preservation Committee

All grant applications for CPC funds were due in the Select Board's office by noon on January 22, 2021. The following applicants met the deadline.

  1. On behalf of Naumkeag, Mark Wilson submitted an application for $7,270 to restore and install a statue by Frederick MacMonnies given to Joseph Hodges Choate by architect Stanford White.
  2. Arthur Dutil, on behalf of the Friends of Gould Meadows, submitted an application for $11,950 (part of a $26,775 project) to continue work on the 80-acre Gould Meadows. Tasks will include building a raised walkway, removal of invasive species and trees (including stump grinding).
  3. Bonnie Hartley, on behalf of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, requested $20,000 for the "Mohican Survey of the Field Arboretum", using the Geographic Information System (GIS is ground penetrating; it gathers and analyzes data, which it converts into maps and 3D images).
  4. Michael Canales, on behalf of the Select Board, submitted a proposal for restoration of the Civil War Monument. Of the estimated $135,000 cost, the Town requests $60,000, $35,000 remains from the $50,000 granted by CPC last year, the Town will fund $25,000.
  5. On behalf of the Stockbridge Library, India Sparkz submitted a request for $20,000, a fraction of the estimated $300,000 total cost to replace the HVAC system in the Stockbridge Library Museum & Archives.
  6. Ellen Spear, on behalf of the Norman Rockwell Museum, submitted a request for $20,000 for an Historic Structure Report of Linwood — an administrative building on the grounds of the museum.
  7. On behalf of Riverbrook, Rebecca Amuso Wendell requested $50,000 of a total $350,000 project for a handicapped accessible bathroom, an elevator, and a sprinkler system.
  8. On behalf of Heaton Hall, Andrea Lindsay requested $5,000 to repair or replace the historic sign blown away during a storm.
  9. The Stockbridge Housing Authority requested $34,000 this year and an anticipated $33,000 next year to repair or replace the siding of several buildings at Heaton Hall damaged by water seeping under the boards.
  10. Kate Fletcher, on behalf of the Fountains Committee, requested $5,000 for the Water Trough and $25,000 for the Cat and Dog Fountain repairs.
  11. The Berkshire Theater Group requested $15,000 to begin restoration of the Mellon Barn (the red barn on Rte. 7 North)
  12. On behalf of Pinewood, Construct Inc. requested $75,000 this year and $45,000 next year of the estimated $220,000 necessary to repair or replace the driveway.
  13. Kathryn Whitney of 17 Willard Hill requested $15,000 to repair her roof. The house is an historic structure built in 1833 and originally used as a Stagecoach Inn.
  14. Jay Bikofsky requested $300,000 over five years -- $100,000 this year and $50,000 for each of the following four years — to establish a Housing Trust Fund. It would provide funds to off-set the cost of a down payment to first-time home buyers purchasing a primary residence.

Editor's note: CPC will meet February 19 — 5pm to discuss and vote on the grants. It is estimated that the requested funds are twice the estimated funds available.

rehearsal
Tanglewood rehearsal spaces. Photo: Patrick White

Notes from the Planning Board

Board Members:

William Vogt, Chair
Marie Raftery
Christine Rasmussen
Katherine Fletcher
Gary Pitney
Nancy Socha
Wayne Slosek
Jennifer Carmichael, secretary
Consultants: Jeff Lacey and Philip Arnold

Conservation Commission (Con Com):

Sally Underwood-Miller, secretary
Ron Brouker, Chair

On behalf of the special permit applicant: Attorney Lori Robbins, engineer Brent White, and prospective buyers David and Cheryl Brause.

  1. Chairman Vogt introduced the members of Con Com and the reason for their visit to PB. Citizens seeking Special Permits may be required to present their plans to both Con Com and PB for approval. A discussion followed about whether there was a way to streamline and/or simplify the process. Whether there are overlapping or differing regulations for the applicants to consider. Whether a representative from each (PB and Con Com) attend the meetings of the other; whether site visits can be joint. There was no formal conclusion; discussions will continue.
  2. The next item was a special permit request for 82 Interlaken. Brent White presented the project plans and its compliance with regulations. However, there were concerns expressed by PB members; the permit was not granted, and the matter was continued.
  3. Chairman Vogt took exception to an Editor's note posted in Stockbridge Updates. Vogt said he had consulted with SB Chair Chuck Cardillo who expressed support for the idea of shifting obligations from the SB to the PB. The Editor's note in question is reprinted here:

Editor's note:

If an approval function is to be moved from under the purview of the Select Board to the PB, then there is a formal process to follow. What a Select Board does is a matter of law. Under the Mass General Laws: "The select board performs three functions: legislative (enacts local ordinances, regulations and policies); administrative (prepares and presents the budget, oversees all town expenditures, supervises personnel and controls town buildings and property); and has a quasi-judicial role determining private rights in certain areas." Read more under the General Laws available online.

A formal process requires all Select Board members to be present in a public meeting and a vote to be taken; it precludes private conversations.

  1. PB then considered reports from two consultants. Philip Arnold presented his recommendations for sign, driveway and parking bylaws. The approval process for the proposed bylaw changes is: PB sends proposed bylaw change to the SB. SB holds public hearing. SB either accepts or modifies the proposal sent by PB. SB places bylaw as presented by PB or as amended by SB on the warrant for approval at Town Meeting. Some changes to bylaws require a 2/3 vote while others require a simple majority to pass. If approved, the changes are sent to the Attorney General of the Commonwealth for review and approval and returned to the Town for adoption. The process begins with forwarding by PB to SB; PB postponed sending until next meeting.
  2. Jeff Lacey discussed Cottage Era and Open Space Bylaws. Working from Joel Russell's review and report, he recommended a plan he did in Franklin County six years ago which he referred to as NRPZ.

Editor's Note: NRPZ stands for Natural Resource Protection Zoning.

pickerel
Pickerel. Photo: Patrick White

Notes from Board of Selectmen

Select Board meeting January 14, 2021, 6:30pm via Zoom

Present:

Chuck Cardillo, Select Board Chair
Roxanne McCaffrey, Select Board Member
Patrick White, Select Board Member
Michael Canales, Town Administrator

Also present, Maria Rafferty, Elizabeth and Ned Hazen, Bill Vogt, J.A. Lyons, Susan and Will Laidlaw

  1. In lieu of taxes, St. Paul's Episcopal Church donated $500 and Berkshire Taconic made a contribution of $1,000.
  2. To fix the HVAC in Town Hall, the SB transferred $39,500 from the Reserve Fund. Apparently, the Finance Committee approved this transfer, which prompted a discussion about the importance of the SB maintaining its prerogative as the only body that raises and appropriates funds.
  3. Balance in the Reserve Fund: $10,500.
  4. The Hazens requested a special permit to demolish and rebuild a garage. It is not on the same footprint. The matter was continued because permits can only be granted to property owners. A portion of the proposed garage will be on neighboring property. There was an easement for the former garage, but the question is: Since the original garage was torn down, is the easement still valid?
  5. There was a complaint about the clearing of the sidewalks on East Main Street. It was decided that even though that walkway is state property, Stockbridge will clear it.
  6. Brief discussion of potential submission by Town to CPC.
  7. White suggested it was a good time to borrow money as interest on debt is so low. Possible areas to fund through borrowing: Children's Chime Tower, monuments, and bridges.
  8. There was a brief discussion of Police budget with attention to overtime.

Select Board meeting January 21, 8:30am via Zoom

Present:

Roxanne McCaffrey, Select Board Member
Patrick White, Select Board Member
Michael Canales, Town Administrator

Michael Canales reported progress on the following:

  1. The maintenance garage has received a CO (certificate of occupancy) and is now in use.
  2. Larrywaug Bridge — the grant is secured, and the contract is going out to bid. The anticipated completion date is August 2021.
  3. Averic Road Bridge—grant secured — out for bid.
  4. Curtisville utility contract was granted for a new structure to house pipes.
  5. MVP (Municipal Vulnerability Program) is an ongoing project led by Laura Dubester, chair, and Green Communities Committee, Patrick White, and Michael Canales. (See below)
  6. Talks are underway with Natural Heritage to determine what they will approve for weed harvesting on Stockbridge Bowl in 2021.
  7. Laura Dubester and the Green Communities Committee have upgraded lighting in the Water Treatment plant.
  8. The Town completed the roof on Proctor Hall.
  9. Discussions underway with Mass DOT about what paving will be done this spring.
  10. Chime Tower repairs were deemed too expensive to submit to CPC. It is likely the SB will place funding for the repairs ($550,000) on the Town Meeting warrant.
  11. The repairs for the Civil War Memorial are estimated at $120,000. Half the amount ($60,000) will be requested from CPC.
  12. There was public comment about the Red Lion Inn intersection. McCaffrey explained that the proposed "test" was the least expensive and invasive option. When the intersection was described as dangerous, McCaffrey responded, "The intersection was not even on the Commonwealth's radar"-- it was so comparatively safe.
  13. Patrick White was named to CPC joining Carole Owens as the two SB representatives.

About the Stockbridge Green Communities Committee

The Stockbridge Green Communities Committee helps the Town reduce its energy consumption through participation in the MA Department of Energy Resources Green Communities program. Stockbridge was designated a MA Green Community in 2015 so it can apply for grants to help achieve its 5-year goal of 20% reduction in energy consumption. The Committee assists the Town in preparing grant applications offered by the MA Department of Energy Resources Green Communities Division. The Committee helps the Town comply with reporting requirements. The Committee meets infrequently as needed.

Contact: lauradubester@gmail.com

Committee Members:

Laura Dubester, Chair
Mike Buffoni
Pat Flinn
Chris Marsden
Miles Moffatt
Pam Sandler
Starbuck Smith
Tom Stokes
Police Chief Darrell Fennelly
Michael Canales, Town Administrator

In a prior meeting, the Select Board approved the process to qualify for the MVP program. MVP is the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant program. MVP offers funding to municipalities that wish to assess their vulnerability to and prepare for climate change impacts, build community resilience, and receive designation from the MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) as certified MVP communities that are eligible for MVP Action Grant funding and other opportunities.

The program helps communities to:

  • Define climate related hazards
  • Understand how they may be impacted by climate change utilizing the latest science and data at http://www.resilientma.org/
  • Identify existing and future climate vulnerabilities and strengths
  • Identify opportunities to take action to reduce risk and build resilience
  • Implement priority actions identified through the planning process

The Select Board hired a consultant, BSC Group, Boston. BSC posted information. To read more about MVP, go to: https://stockbridgemvp.wordpress.com/mvp-program/

Laura Dubester of The Green Communities Committee has volunteered to lead this process along with Michael Canales and Patrick White.

Hayward 1
Photo: Nathan Hayward III

About Residential Tax Exemption (RTE)

RTE is a state initiative. Enacted in 1979, a part of RTE is an option under the property tax classification that shifts the tax burden within the residential class from owners of moderately valued residential properties to the owners of higher-valued properties, vacation homes, and residential properties not occupied by the owner including vacant land and apartment buildings. It is in Mass General Law: C 59, sec. 5C, and grants the Select Board the ability to enact this exception without input from the pubic or any committee, commission or board. However, the SB may choose to bring it to Town Meeting for comment (binding or non-binding).

RTE does require knowing who is and who is not a resident. The definition of a resident is not determined locally; it is state law: "A resident is a person who maintains a permanent place of abode in Massachusetts and spends more than 183 days of the taxable year in Massachusetts. Whether a person maintains a permanent place of abode in Massachusetts is a factual determination." (Mass General Law: TIR 95 — 7)

Hawthorne Road
Hawthorne Road by Gould Meadows. Photo: Patrick White