1. Charging Stations and Streetlights
Stockbridge Green Communities Committee met on August 20 and discussed two issues that might be of special interest to SU readers. The Committee voted to recommend to the Select Board (SB) that the Town move forward in installing Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations (EV Stations).
It was approved by the SB on September 8, and the Town should have EV Stations by late fall or early winter. Initially four are planned at Town Offices in a space where someday 10 could be.
Second, the Green Communities Committee has worked for some time to purchase the above-ground serviced streetlights from National Grid. When the purchase is completed, new LED streetlights will be installed. The Town will achieve significant savings in energy consumption, electricity costs, and streetlight rental from National Grid. Stockbridge received a grant of $62,569 for purchase and installation of the streetlights
2. Finance Committee Clarification
Clarification: “Carole: In response to your question as to why eight members attended the recent [Finance Committee] meeting but there were only seven votes, we have one alternate, Ed Lane. His vote only counts if one of the seven permanent members are absent. With Neil Holden’s retirement from the Committee, Jorja Marsden was appointed by the Moderator to replace him. Trust this answers your question. Best, Jay B[ikofsky]”
3. BRPC Survey Results
Results from Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) Survey
a. Income
Median income — second homeowners — $250,000
Median Income — locals — $ 62,000
b. Reasons for moving here — below are the 5 reasons that scored more than 35% in the “very important” category
Environmental quality (e.g., clean air and water) 46.3%
Access to lakes and ponds 39.3%
Access to mountains 42.0%
Outdoor recreational opportunities, such as hiking, boating, skiing, etc. 45.8%
Fewer people/more open space 35.5%
These are two brief excerpts related to the editorial taken from two surveys (43 and 64 pages long) available from BRPC.
4. Cable News
The 5-Town Cable Advisory Board met Tuesday night. Two representatives from each of five towns (Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, Sheffield, and Stockbridge) are appointed to the board. Two salient issues are the ten-year contract with Spectrum and — as cable usage decreases — how will CTSB be funded in the long term? Stay tuned — or better yet — attend a meeting. Town Administrator Michael Canales (one of our representatives) knows the dates and times.
