By Christine Rasmussen

Climate

Yes, it’s hot; temperatures have been rising worldwide, making this the hottest year humans have ever recorded on Earth. This has led to national disasters and increased costs for heating or cooling.

If you have been procrastinating about exploring federal incentives that reduce your energy bills or purchasing an electric vehicle, now is the time to take action.

The new administration’s priorities have changed. Funding for initiatives that increase energy efficiency and reduce costs is being slashed; however, there is still a short time to take advantage of federal incentives outlined by NPR at:

https://www.npr.org/2025/07/16/nx-s1-5462190/trump-tax-credit-solar-ev-heat-pump

Housing

As part of the Affordable Homes Act passed in August 2024, Stockbridge has qualified for a new designation as a Seasonal Community because over 40 percent of its housing units are seasonal, but voters will have the final say on accepting the designation.

If accepted, it provides for:

Increase the property tax exemption for homes that are the owners’ primary residence by shifting costs to seasonal dwellings.

Ability to acquire year-round housing occupancy restrictions.

Develop housing with a preference for municipal workers.

Establish a Year-Round Housing Trust Fund to create and preserve affordable and attainable housing for year-round residents

Create year-round housing for artists.

Allow seasonal communities to develop a comprehensive housing needs assessment.

Allow tiny homes to be used as year-round housing

According to the statute, Seasonal Communities must:

Allow undersized lots for creating attainable, year-round housing.

Allow tiny homes to be used as year-round housing, including those on wheels.

This summer, Stockbridge residents joined hundreds of others in expressing their thoughts to the Advisory Council, which is developing regulations expected to be released shortly. Many comments focused on expanding the program to include all of Berkshire County, increasing the number of workers who qualify for housing, the fairness of shifting tax burdens onto second homeowners, general concerns about tiny homes, and the value of tiny houses on wheels versus those with foundations.