Editorial

Editorial: Take It Back

We and our predecessors made decisions. We did not choose a village bereft of trees, carpeted with houses built too close together, crisscrossed with wider and wider roads. We sacrificed profit and population. We were made fun of as stodgy and backward-looking. We were negatively compared to Lenox (“every Lenox has its Stockbridge”). That was okay with us; Lenox had its ideas, and we had our own ideas.

About those ideas, we were told we would become a backwater, passed by, and a financial failure. Is that what happened? Nope.

During COVID, we became the place the urbanites came in their flight to safety. Our population swelled. We had chosen, and what we had chosen made us the richest of the South County towns with the lowest tax rate. Why?

We held fast and saved what everyone else lost and now wanted.

In expressing what many felt, one city dweller got out of her car, twirled with her arms outstretched, and said, “I can breathe,”

As other villages grew and parking became a problem; as they grew and commercial sprawl along the Route 7 corridor engulfed them, we stood with signs in protest against ripping out the trees the edged the road to make way for another lane and one more motel. We lost, but we held fast in Stockbridge.

Held, past tense. Now we are losing ground (and trees) in Stockbridge. Hold fast. We once knew it is not really about money. It is about holding onto values. It is not about progress and keeping pace in the 21st century. It is about recognizing that no matter how much things change around us, we humans remain pretty much the same. We need love, dignified response, air to breathe, and the room to stretch out our arms.

Even as we seemed to prove our point, they continued to push to change our landscape. They did not respect our point of view. Okay, if they won’t give it; take it back. Take back our dignity, reclaim the belief that we were right, and we still are.

We believed: earn more or spend less – accept the boundaries – don’t borrow.

Protect what god made – don’t revere only manmade.

It is pride and desire make us gullible to the grifters; we are born with simple common sense.

Once, in Stockbridge, the working man stood just as tall at Town meeting as the rich man, and no one silenced the women.

Take it back – our ideas and our dignity. Both were earned.

Carole Owens, Executive Editor
Stockbridge Updates

News

SU FYI

1. I was sick for a month with Bacterial Pneumonia. I want to thank everyone who lent a hand in getting the issue out during that period. It turns out it does take a village.
2. In the August 15, 2026, issue of Stockbridge Updates, the Minutes of the 5-Member Select Board Committee were posted before they had been approved by the committee. That was an error – SU apologizes – the error was entirely ours.
3. It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Bernard Mark “Barney” Edmonds. He was an original participant in founding Stockbridge Updates – a smart and constructive member of this community. He served on the Stockbridge Planning Boad and the Housing Authority with dignity and distinction. Barney will be missed.
4. ” Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” That slogan made the US Postal Service the envy of the world. Something to be relied upon. We hope that includes all our mail-in ballots no matter for whom we vote. It cannot be that somewhere a rule is changed and mail is impeded. Lawrence O’Donnell tells the story that an international letter addressed only to “Lawrence O’Donnell Boston USA” was delivered to him. Imagine somewhere that postal worker figuring it out, finding his address, and seeing to it that nothing whatever prevented a letter from being delivered by our Postal service. Bravo!
5. STOCKBRIDGE 250 REVISES ELIGIBILITY TO WIN PASSPORT 250 PRIZES

Stockbridge 250 participants who have attended a minimum of FIVE of the eight events listed in the PASSPORT 250 are now eligible to win one of the following prizes, to be awarded in a drawing November 6th. The five events replace the eight events previously required to win.

1st place – A statue of the Standing Lincoln donated by Chesterwood. This replica of an American Hero is valued at $400.

2nd place – Tickets to admit two adults donated by the Norman Rockwell Museum. (Tickets have no cash value and cannot be exchanged for a refund, credit or cash equivalent).

Runners Up – A copy of the “Stockbridge Story 1739-1989”. This history of the town was written by town residents. (There will be multiple prizes in this category.)

How to Enter

When you have finished your final event of 2026, complete the Stockbridge 250 Passport Owner Information page by the raffle Closing Date of October 30, 2026. Bring the Passport to either The Town Clerk in Stockbridge Town Offices or to Chesterwood’s Barn Gallery. The representative will verify that you have completed at least FIVE events and will return your entry to the Stockbridge 250th Committee. The Committee will notify all winners by November 30th.

News

Events

1. The BPI Nonevent

Our first event in July 2026 was truly a special event. Our second will be a nonevent. Here’s how it works:

BPI is asking for $500 per person. The entire amount is deductible. The entire amount will be applied to creating a program for our kids.

BPI will fund a civics & history unit—written for our schools—so the next generation can know our country’s past and let it inform their future. The unit – America’s story on screen, in text, with a teacher’s guide – will be distributed free to every school public and private in Berkshire County. Eventually it can be offered to schools in the Commonwealth and the country

MA K E H I S T O R Y with us. HELP BPI realize its ambition to reinvigorate curriculum for today’s youth – our children and grandchildren. Help VBPI realize our ambition to put back what we had when we were in school.

What we took for granted, our children and grandchildren are living without — a curriculum that will make them better citizens and educated voters.

Without dinner and paired wines, the music and the speeches, every penny will go to production of the teacher’s guide, the book, and series of short videos.

We can raise the money faster…Wait there’s more —- send your donation of $500 each – more if you are enthusiastic about the project – help our children learn to be good citizens and educated voters. Help them learn democracy is both a blessing and an obligation. And…

When we have reached our goal of $100,000, we will have appreciation dinners for our donors at some of the loveliest homes in the Berkshire with the most gracious hosts and hostesses and give a first look at what we accomplished together.

Mail checks payable to Berkshire Preservation Inc. P.O. Box 1207 Stockbridge MA 01262

For more information about BPI events and this program: Click Here

2. Norman Rockwell Museum presents the Stockbridge Walking Tour, September 19 @ 1:00 pm EDT, $50 https://www.nrm.org/events/norman-rockwells-stockbridge-walking-tour-25/

Special tour with a Rockwell model, Ed Locke Take a guided walking tour of downtown Stockbridge and discover how the town and its inhabitants both inspired Norman Rockwell and appeared in some of his most iconic works of art. Explore the history of this 1734 village–including its Mohican origins This special tour features guest Ed Locke, who famously modeled for Rockwell as a young boy, sharing his unique firsthand memories of the artist’s process. As a special memento, all participants will receive a print of The Runaway, one of the memorable paintings for which Ed Locke posed. Limited capacity- advance reservations required. Event is rain or shine.

News

Journalism Corner: First Amendment Rights. Part Two

It is good when we understand the beauty and the breadth of our rights. It is also important to know the limitations. Freedom of Speech is restrained by the law and by our employers. There are laws against threatening, slandering, or endangering others, for example, crying fire in a crowded theater. An employee of a private company is limited by corporate policies and an assumed corporate loyalty.

Is that true for government employees? No. You can speak out against your government. Moreover, whistle blowers are protected by law. As a government employee, you have an almost unfettered right to speak out, however, your government employer also has an interest in promoting an effective and efficient workplace.

In its guide, the ACLU breaks down your speech rights under the Constitution if you are a government employee and if you are speaking:

1. as a private citizen, (this does not apply if you are employed by a private business)
2. about a matter of public concern, and
3. if your speech does not interfere with your job.

The last is tricky. Here’s an example: a town employee carried a political sign (for a candidate) during her lunch hour. When questioned she said it was as a private citizen and lunch hour was her own time. That worked until a resident complained that she was uncomfortable seeking assistance from that employee because of her political views. In that case, it is generally accepted that the employer can ask the employee to curb the speech as interfering with doing the job.

News

From the Statehouse

1. Press Secretary Karissa Hand explained, to achieve her goal of net zero greenhouse gases by 2050, Governor Maura Healey has proposed historic changes. The Clean Energy Act passed in November 2024 will accelerate clean energy development and improve energy affordability. It is a sea change in how energy infrastructure is permitted in Massachusetts.

The Governor wants an additional 10 gigawatts by 2030. For solar panels to operate effectively, acres would have to be treeless. To produce 10 gigawatts, 50,000 to 100,000 acres would have to be cleared. There are 7 million acres in Massachusetts, 100,000 acres is only 1.5%, so what’s the big deal? Maybe it is the goal of “net zero by 2050” requiring 100,000 more acres per year for the next twenty years. Two million out of seven million acres is close to 1/3 of all Massachusetts land. This initiative, being suggested by a Progressive Democrat, was originally put forward by a Republican governor, Charlie Baker.

“Apr 1, 2021 · At the start of 2020, Gov. Charlie Baker, then-House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Karen Spilka all declared their support for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050” ene.org › baker-signs-law-committing-to-net-zeroBaker Signs Law Committing to Net-Zero Emissions by 2050.

2. From Mass.gov

Governor Maura Healey’s “State Land for Homes” initiative is advancing plans for more than 5,600 new housing units on nearly 700 acres of underutilized state-owned land across 33 Massachusetts municipalities

Launched under the Affordable Homes Act (AHA), the program is designed to accelerate redevelopment of surplus state properties into affordable and middle-income housing, lower costs, and stimulate local economic growth. It streamlines the process for identifying, evaluating, and disposing of state-owned parcels, enabling faster permitting and construction.

Scale and scope – 5,600+ housing units to be developed on 700 acres of state-owned land. Includes both affordable and middle-income housing. Sites range from former state hospitals and almshouses to closed prisons, veterans’ homes, and university campuses.

How it works:

Identifies underutilized state properties

Partners with developers for housing projects

Streamline permitting and speed delivery

Generates local tax revenue by returning properties to the tax roll

Examples of projects: Brockton: Converting a former state unemployment office into 40 residential units with commercial storefronts ; Mattapan: Redeveloping the former Boston State Hospital campus;

Chelsea: Transforming the old Veterans home, and Lowell & Fitchburg: Vacant buildings slated for redevelopment

Governor Healey said, she is “turning underutilized state properties into thousands of new homes, creating new opportunities for families and workers, and helping communities grow across Massachusetts” .

Also, House Bill 5000 proposes allowing single-family homes on lots ≥5,000 sq ft with public utilities but the Governor’s current major housing push is the State Land for Homes program, which is far larger in scale and scope.

News

News From Lenox

The key word in Lenox news is housing.

Pennrose held the grand opening of Forge, a new mixed-income rental community for individuals and families in Lenox, MA two weeks ago. The community features 65 apartment units across 13 townhome-style buildings, along with a modern clubhouse and shared amenity spaces. Lenox Select Board member, Marybeth Mitts, told SU that 60 more housing units will be built within a mile along Route 7 helping Lenox reach the State mandate of 10% affordable housing.

At the other end of the economic scale, in Lenox and Stockbridge, Vanderbilt Berkshire Estate has proposed 38 houses to be built on its 89 acre Elm Court estate.

Similarly, Spring Lawn proposes 24 units on the property at 10 Kemble Street, and in Stockbridge, Patrick Sheehan, owner of the Desisto School with over 300 acres, proposed approximately 209 housing units – a mix of hotel units, condominiums, and single-family homes. In Special Permits, both Elm Court and Desisto committed to restoring the houses while Spring Lawn proposed demolition of the house and building a replica.

It raises a concern: if the substantial cost of the project is restoration or replication of the historic buildings, and the substantial profit is in new construction, ultimately, will any of the historic houses be saved?

Spring Lawn made a case for, and forged a path to, demolition, that is, going directly to the State, bypassing local commissions and local bylaws, claiming the Berkshire Cottage is beyond repair. https://berkshireeagle-ma.newsmemory.com/?publink=0576f5740_13521ff

No one can argue that all three Cottages are old and in tough shape. What is the fate of the three Berkshire Cottages so much a unique part of our South Berkshire landscape?

A note about density: Both the Lenox Great Estates bylaw and the Stockbridge Cottage Era bylaw address permitted density on these historic properties, and yet, with a population of 1825 permanent residents and 3000 with the seasonal residents, Stockbridge approved an addition of 247 units combined on the Elm Court and Desisto properties (13.5% of 1825 and 8.2% of 3000). In Lenox, with a larger population of about 5000, it adds roughly 150 units (3%). Municipal Planners tell us that an increase of 5% is the threshold of change in a community and 10% causes substantive change.

News

News From Richmond

Richmond wishes to preserve the historic Richmond Furnace woodlands. It once was part of Richmond Iron Works. Today residents describe the 118-acre parcel as peaceful and a paradise. The problem is a right of first refusal. We faced this in Stockbridge. To save on a real estate tax bill, an owner can put land in a Conservation Restriction (CR). The undeveloped property which was part of the Richmond Iron Works Historic District, currently serves as passive recreation for hikers, bikers, dog walkers, bird watchers, and even hunters and is home to a rich hydrological ecosystem.

The owner can remove the CR at will and usually that happens when the owner wants to sell. Currently there is a purchase and sale agreement with a Texas-based land developer who has proposed the development of 15 to 18 single-family homes.

However, the CR is under Chapter 61, a tax designation for owners who wish to maintain the land as agricultural, forestry, or open space for recreation. State law requires that when the owner removes the CR, the Town automatically has a right of first refusal, and the town has 120 days to decide to purchase the land or decline. Of the 118 acres, 27 are in West Stockbridge and they have declined, and that parcel is being developed.

What will Richmond do with its 91 acres? Richmond residents have made their wishes clear and put up signs that say: Save Furnace Road. Our governments, which in theory are expected to represent the people’s wishes, do not seem to share them.

News

News From Stockbridge

Notes from Select Board (SB), August 6, 2026

There was no public comment.

The SBSC Lake Management Plan was approved.

Removal and repair of the Town Offices cupola will require limited access to Town Offices and cancellation of the Chamber of Commerce Craft Fair

Liquor licenses were awarded to Chesterwood, Norman Rockwell, and Berkshire Botanical Garden for events including weddings.

During approval of the hiring of Marie Ryan, Administrative floater, there was a long conversation.

Jamie Minacci did not like SB being a “rubber stamp” and objected to having nothing before the SB before being asked to approve a hiring. She shared that she called Town Counsel for advice. TC said it was unusual not to allow SB the time and materials to deliberate. Minacci made it clear she did not object to the candidate but was objecting to the process.

Michael Canales said it was the same process as always. Minacci disagreed. In the past, she said, SB saw all applications and even interviewed some or all of the candidates. She went on: also before the SB was a letter (to be signed by Canales) containing salary, perks, and conditions of employment. Finally, she noted that she wanted employment practices fair and uniform and the conditions for Ryan were different from those for Seana Roche, the new Treasurer/Collector.

Cardillo said he had no objection, but Jorja Marsden agreed with Minacci.

In essence, it appeared Canales was doing the hiring and reducing the SB to a rubber stamp. Canales seemed to agree with that as follows: the process, he explained, was as Minacci described for department heads but not for others below that rank. It seemed he was saying he hired everyone below a supervisory level. Minacci said they should look at Canales’ contract to determine if he had the power to hire/fire.

They voted to increase Roche’s perks to match what was offered Ryan and approved hiring with caveat that going forward strict process will be observed: SB hires and fires and must have all information including resumes of all applicants, prior to being asked to approve a candidate.

A new employee for the Fire Department was approved – Kevin P. Brown paramedic.

Cardillo said there was an opening on the Housing Authority – if interested – email SB.

Notes from the Conservation Commission (ConCom), August 11, 2026

1. 23 Mahkeenac

The original presenter of the plan is no longer employed by the owners. ConCom made clear that the plan approved remains as is even if there are personnel changes.

There were two parts presented for approval. (1) The slope: approved and work completed but work does not match approved plan. (2) The flat: from the slope to the water’s edge, approval is being sought for approval. A site visit will follow and continued discussion

2. 13 Rattlesnake – new owner does not want a pool (as requested originally) but does want to clear more to extend the yard perhaps 30 feet. The discussion centered around the location in which new owner wishes to extend. There will be a site visit and a return to discuss further.
3. A tree fell in the water near the boat ramp – permission to remove granted as a safety measure
4. Jay Rhind has dredged the pond on his property at 13 Interlaken before. It needs it again. He came to meeting to ask if the other permit can be extended or if a new permit is needed. The old permit expired, and he was asked to apply for a new one.
5. 19 Mahkeenac Road – Special Permit to demolish and rebuild guest house within 200 feet of water. Footprint will be smaller and no more nonconforming than original – outside Lake Pond Overlay District (LOPD).
6. Sally Underwood-Miller noticed that the Performance Standards was printed without a position stated on the use of harmful chemicals/herbicides (e.g. Roundup) which then drain into the lake. That section will be added and an amended version distributed.

News

Notes from the Green Committee, August 12, 2026 

National Grid was present and announced that the new domestic rate under the municipal aggregation is $.17185 and the small business rate was approximately $.15.

The difficulty Nat Grid faced was the requirement that P.O. Box numbers be written on envelopes and Nat Grid did not have all P. O. Box numbers. So, over 300 letters informing Stockbridge residents were returned. If you did not receive yours – call Nat Grid and give your box number.

It is easy to opt in or out as any customer desires. Directions:

The Municipal Aggregation is administered by Colonial Power Group. (508) 485-5858. Directions on how to opt-in, opt-out or change the product type (amount of RECs): https://colonialpowergroup.com ; click on Our Communities; choose Stockbridge; click on opt-in or opt-out and have your electric account number handy.

The other step is to let National Grid know your p. o. box number — call or do online

Stockbridge is a Climate Leader and would like a sign from the State to that effect. Other communities would too so the State is working on it.

The Solar proposal was submitted at no cost to Town and now we just wait to see what transpires.

Streetlights are in the hands of Michael Canales – it will be a cost savings to Town so anxiously awaiting completion.

News

Notes from the Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission (SBSC) August 13, 2026

Chair of the Commission will meet with Town Administrator monthly. Michael Canales will attend SBSC meetings if necessary.

The dam on the lake is partially fixed and will be evaluated by State to determine if more work is necessary.

Members of SBSC were concerned that the dam repair and the proposed dredging will possibly conflict or at least complicate the other. Asked: who is considering that? The “dam safety” people from the state would not consider that, and as yet no answer as to who might.

Notes from the Fire Station Planning Committee, August 13, 2026

The Chair of the committee, Peter Socha, wanted a vote to approve a work group. Jay Bikofski was concerned about violating the Open Meeting Laws. It was approved by keeping the number on work committee below the quorum of committee.

It was reported that a firehouse is unusual – today towns build public safety buildings with police fire and ambulance. However, the committee wanted to visit a building of the recommended size to see what it looked like.

The size will be determined by considering the uses and then applying the sq ft necessary for those uses. The uses could include BLS (basic life support) number of ambulances, number of fire trucks, space for training, and space for sleeping to enable 24/7 coverage.

The site requirement can be determined by the size and special needs such as if any HazMet materials on site, or if DeCon (decontamination equipment) are needed on site. Once the site requirements based on size and uses is determined, then they can consider sites. The size could be determined “in a couple of weeks.”

Editor’s note: What is odd is that the location was determined first by experts estimating response times to both Stockbridge and West Stockbridge 2. When Planning Board established a work group they were told to stop by the State Attorney General who enforces the Open Meeting Law. It had nothing to do with number comprising the work group. The issue was decisions/discussions held in private rather than public as required by law. That can be checked with Town Counsel.

Notes from the Affordable Housing Trust, August 17, 2026

New officers elected: Mark Mill, Chair, Bruce Auerbach, Vice Chair, and Lis Wheeler, Secretary.

Discussed objectives for the year: Tom Manisero, who is also on the new firehouse committee, suggested more public/private partnerships. Chuck Cardillo favored smaller lots to make houses more affordable. Cardillo informed the Trust that more Town land might come available for use not for sale. He also informed them of a State initiative to permit 5500 sq ft lots as buildable.

Chair Mark Mills offered the suggestion that that was just one of the tools offered by the State and municipalities could use it or not. Cardillo said his impression was that if passed it would be mandatory. He added Seasonal Community regulations allow by right development of smaller lots now. The 25% rule states if the local zoning is 1-acre lots then quarter acre lots are buildable; if 2-acre zoning, then ½ acre lots are buildable. (See News: From the Statehouse above)

Reader to Reader

Reader to Reader

Carole, thank you for a great article!

I fully understand the challenges of restoration and the difficulty of finding a business model that makes restoration economically viable. It’s a real problem that Ventfort Hall has faced for decades. When we were looking for alternatives for our Carriage House, which is in dire condition and ready to fall over, we consulted with Paul Holtz at MHC to determine whether we could carefully take it down and catalog all materials for an eventual rebuild when finances would allow. Paul’s response was, “Demolition by neglect or any other means is not an option.” Those words forever burned into my brain. We are blessed to have partnered with Dave Carver to do adaptive reuse while maintaining as much of the original building fabric as possible.

It seems Spring Lawn should be held to the same standard.

It’s a shame we don’t have more public and private support for this work, since we are in a region with a disproportionate stock of these buildings and will forever be grappling with these questions. We want to preserve the history and stories, but leave the funding to owners, whether they are nonprofit organizations, for-profit companies, or private owners, who, when they look at the math, realize it’s nearly impossible to see a return on the needed investments. This is an opportunity to shine light on this issue and find ways to work across sectors to bring more funding support for restoration.

Best wishes,
Wendy

Note: Wendy Healey is Executive Director, Ventfort Hall

To the Editor:

This comment in the Stockbridge Update is of concern, “Change is inevitable, and for better or worse, as a country, we are changing.. How the government collects and spends money reflects our values.” I am curious what is for better. If your foundation is reacting to the cutbacks by raising money rather than fighting like hell – that is a misuse of private donor funds–that end up supporting less government funding on preservation and more govt corruption. I am sure that is not your intention, but it sure feeds the current “worse”

Dena Fisher

Hello Dena

BPI is founded with the mission to help nonprofits. That is unrelated to availability of government funds. One is not related to the other, however, Samantha Anderson, Director, Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires, said today our nonprofits, are in “dire straights” because of government cuts in funding. If you would like to discuss further — reach out.

Carole

Carole: Thanks for your response. I understand….no need for further discussion…we agree on “dire straights” and maybe even what donors need to think about. Dena

Hello, After I read the August 14th commentary (Moderates Caught on the Horns of the “Horseshoe”, I realized that Ms Owens would find my thoughts in a poem I wrote about the same subject quite in sync with her commentary. I’d like to send her the poem, but I’m not comfortable putting my name out in public, such as in your newspaper in a letter to the editor. (I’m not even on Facebook). I express strong opinions in my poems and don’t want to get threatening replies of any sort to what I write. There are a lot of angry people out there, as you (and Ms Owens) know, but I’m 83 years old and not “made of sterner stuff”.

I’d much appreciate you asking her if she would be amenable to allowing me to email the poem to her directly. If so, either she or you could send it to me.

Thanks so much for your help, anonymous.

Dear –

Please send your poem. I am happy to post it without your name. I do understand and know first-hand how folks retaliate when we write something they don’t like.

Carole