Editorial

Times They Are A-Changing:

This summer Stockbridge Updates will be three years old. Even in so brief a time — things change — needs grow — expenses rise. SU and its Editorial Board have thought long and hard about how to meet the needs. 

So far, we decided on two avenues for raising money to continue —

1. We began as a free press and do not believe in changing midstream. SU will continue to provide news, opinion, and a public forum — space for debate and comment — at no charge. However, starting this year, all who wish to can send a voluntary subscription (suggested $60/annually) to Stockbridge Updates P. O. Box 1072 Stockbridge MA 01262.
2. Each year we will celebrate our birthday with a special request and a special treat — “Lunch with A Local Luminary”. Any who wish to be an annual SU sponsor can contribute and have a chance to lunch with one of the very, very special people who live among us and have graciously agreed to support SU with a good lunch and great conversation. 

Two ways to help SU continue to serve our village — you choose and thank you.

by Carole Owens , Managing Editor

News

SU — FYI 

Thanks, Ned

A very special thank you to Ned Baldwin who served this community for many years as our Building Inspector (BI). For the next six months, Matt Koller will serve as our B.I. He has beenour alternate for the last four years.

Civil War Monument

The restoration of the Civil War Monument on the corner of Main and Pine is complete.

Children’s Chime Tower

The work on the Children’s Chime Tower will begin this summer.

Vote, Already

Did you know… sometimes only 29% of us vote!

Upcoming Events – The Laurel Hill Association Annual Meeting 

Time: Friday April 21st 5:00 PM

Place: Stockbridge Library

Speaker: Jenny Hansell, Executive Director, Berkshire Natural Resources Council

Topic: Help Preserve our Natural Heritage-Collaboration in Berkshire County

Refreshments to follow

News

Events

BNRC

1. Berkshire Natural Resources Council – Sunday April 30 (self-guided walk) through Parson’s Marsh. Signs will guide you on a 1/3-mile ramble. Visit BNRC for choice of many more walks.

Stockbridge Library

2. Stockbridge Library Berkshire Chamber Players Concert – AT CAPACITY

Saturday, April 15 at 7:00 p.m.

Play With Clay Youth Craft Wednesday, April 19 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Spring Blossom Youth Craft Thursday, April 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Storybook Science Club Friday, April 21 from 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Inspired Berkshires — Readings by Berkshire poets about our Berkshires

Saturday, April 22 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Author Talk with S.T. Haggerty – Norman Rockwell’s Models In and Out of the Studio

Sunday, April 23 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

LEGOs in the Library Friday, April 28 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Horses, writing and journalism – Jim Brooke in conversation with authors Sarah Maslin Nir and Courtney Maum Sunday, April 30 from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Rockwell Museum

3. Norman Rockwell Museum Exhibitions on view: 

Nora Krug: Belonging

Norman Rockwell: Cover Artist

Rockwell Re-Interpreted: Highlights from the Permanent Collection

On View Now – Norman Rockwell: Highlights from the Collection and 

Norman Rockwell’s 323 “Saturday Evening Post” Covers

Coming Soon – Tony Sarg: Genius At Play

Spring Break Family Week April 17, 18 + 20, 21 

Art of Nature Times: 11 am & 2 pm and Storytime in the Galleries

Times: 10:45 am, 11:45 am, 12:45 pm, 1:45 pm

Please VOTE

To our Readers: VOTE

Here’s how: 

Request a No-excuse Vote by Mail Ballot until 5 pm on Wednesday, May 10: 

https://stockbridge-ma.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/SKM_454e23033108390.pdf

The deadline for Absentee Ballot Application is also May 10 at 5 pm: https://stockbridge-ma.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/SKM_454e23033108391.pdfVote in person on Election Day, May 16!

Who is running?

Select Board Member – Patrick White, Roxanne McCaffrey

Board of Assessors – Brandi Page

Board of Health – Elias Lefferman

Parks and Recreation – Johanna Lenski, Michael Nathan

Sewer and Water – John Loiodice

Planning Board – Wayne Slosek

There are only two contested races:

Select Board Patrick White vs. Roxanne McCaffrey

Parks & Rec Joanna Lenski vs. Michael Nathan

Please vote even if a candidate is unopposed — it shows support and gratitude for their willingness to serve.

News

Key Takeaways: Board of Assessors (BOA) Meeting, April 3

The Select Board requested suggestions from the BOA for ways to ease the tax burden when the Residential Tax Exemption (RTE) was voted down. 

Clause 41A is not an exemption which discharges a tax obligation but it permits an elderly taxpayer to postpone payment (defer) property taxes. When the house is sold or the owner dies, the deferral is paid back with interest. No one in Stockbridge has ever used it. 

The conditions include that the recipient is a primary resident (as do all tax exemptions, abatements, and deferrals) and is a senior whose income does not exceed an amount. The Board of Assessors could vote to recommend three changes: the amount of deferral (currently $500), the amount of income allowed to qualify (currently $20,000) and the amount of interest charged on repayment (currently 8%).

The BOA voted to recommend the following changes: 

Amount of deferral from $500 to $1000

Amount of allowable income from $20,000 to the “circuit breaker” (set by state, not the municipality, the current circuit breaker is $64,000 adjusted annually)

Amount of interest paid is currently 8% reduced to 5%

News

Key Takeaways from Water and Sewer Commission Meeting, April 4

This issue has been raised before but continues as a challenge for Stockbridge. Tony Campetti, Superintendent of Sewer and Michael Buffoni, Superintendent of Water, are both approaching retirement age. It can take as long as 5 years to train new employees to qualify (according to Commonwealth regulations) to replace them. There have been suggestions on the table: hire someone now to train for five years while Campetti and Buffoni are still in their positions so new hires can also benefit from their experience or hope to find a fully qualified person at the time needed. Town Administrator Michael Canales also suggested filling the positions as shared services with West Stockbridge. Although Town voted down shared Administrator with Lenox some years ago, since Canales has been administrator, he has suggested shared services — fire with Lee and now Water and Sewer with West Stockbridge.

News

Key Takeaways from Planning Board, April, 4

Public Hearing for request to remove stone wall at 312 Old Stockbridge Road, applicant: Nair Revilla. The property is actually in Lenox — referred application to Lenox.

Public Hearing for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) at 14 South Street, applicants: Rachel and Samuel Childers. Approved under current ADU bylaw.

Key Takeaways from the Cemetery Commission Meeting, April 11

The Commission is suggesting changes to the Cemetery bylaws to be voted on during the May Town Meeting. One will change a bylaw from “residents” to “taxpayers” may be buried in cemetery. Concern was raised at a previous meeting that the change in the bylaw is increasing the number of people eligible to be buried in Stockbridge cemetery at a time when the cemetery is running out of space. Another bylaw change would decrease the number of people on the Commission from 9 — 5 — the number who have a voice in proposing these decisions.

News

Key Takeaways from the Cemetery Commission Meeting, April 11

The Commission is suggesting changes to the Cemetery bylaws to be voted on during the May Town Meeting. One will change a bylaw from “residents” to “taxpayers” may be buried in cemetery. Concern was raised at a previous meeting that the change in the bylaw is increasing the number of people eligible to be buried in Stockbridge cemetery at a time when the cemetery is running out of space. Another bylaw change would decrease the number of people on the Commission from 9 — 5 — the number who have a voice in proposing these decisions.

News

Key Takeaways from the Council on Aging (COA) April 12

This was a working session. In the first hour, new director Roxanne McCaffrey reported on programing, grant availability and general housekeeping (for example, moving her office, hanging an information board etc.)

Highlights: The grant available is for equipment — computers and accessories — to promote “computer literacy” among seniors. Another highlight was the possibility of a senior trip (possibly a cruise) and possible bus trips organized by Nancy Wilcox.

One Council member said she sees Roxanne is running for SB and asked McCaffrey could she hold both jobs if she wins? McCaffrey said she thought she could keep both but learned she could not.

When asked which she might choose? She said she would choose SB and drop COA.

Chair asked if it would be possible for her to drop COA now and not leave it “in limbo”.

McCaffrey said COA was not in limbo. 

Chair said what she meant was — there were two other applicants that might still be available instead of waiting to see what happens next month and having to begin the hiring process all over.

McCaffrey said, “I’m excusing myself from this. I am not going to be subjected to this.” 

She left and the Chair expressed her regret calling it “unfortunate”. 

The meeting continued with a few other housekeeping issues. One Council member asked the Town administrator what the procedure was for going into executive session so the COA could frankly discuss their feelings about the employment situation. It appeared TA dissuaded them but if he gave a reason, it was inaudible.

Meeting adjourned.

News

Key Takeaways from the Joint SB/Finance Committee Meeting, April 14

The part of the meeting that was joint with Finance Committee included a request from Fire Chief Vincent Garofoli for: the new fire truck (approved at last Town Meeting but not yet ordered) — SB voted to order immediately. The Chief also requested 25 new suits of turnout gear, sharing that the good news, the SFD increased from 18 — 25. SB approved. Finally, the Chief requested an additional full-time annual contract employee. SB approved. At which point the Finance Committee left.

The meeting continued with the SB approving the articles on the Warrant. White suggested we do NOT leave articles most likely to be debated until the end. He mentioned the bylaw changes and the citizen petition. Minacci and Cardillo agreed to move the bylaws up on the Warrant but wanted the citizen’s petition at the end.

There was a report from Hugh page on road improvements to begin “after Tanglewood”. There were appointments to the Cultural Council, Conservation Commission, and Kampoosa Bog Committee.

Stockbridge Bowl Association, supported by the SB, will attempt to increase the acreage of weeds in Stockbridge Bowl harvested this summer.

Although the discussion of the Accessory Dwelling Unit bylaw became contentious, it was unclear what second homeowners, Patty Caya and Joe Newberg, were arguing about since the language they argued about was changed. Anyone can have an ADU. If it is rented, the owner has to be in residence and only one can be rented at a time. 

Shelby Marshall spoke about the different circumstances and goals of primary residents and second homeowners; White offered that the current bylaw proposal is identical to the ones in other Mass municipalities including Medford MA where Caya is a primary resident. He asked is she objected to the same language in Medford? Both Minacci and Cardillo voted against placing it on the warrant at this time — White said he would continue to work on it.

Denny Alsop asked the Select Board to have reports from the Rest of River (ROR) made to SB in public sessions rather than in Executive Session. Minacci said that may not be allowed by the ROR Inter Municipal Agreement (IMA). Alsop said folks do not understand what is going on and need the facts. (Scroll down to read Alsop piece). White said he would try. 

Josh Bloom from Lee MA offered some information. Lee voted not to pay the money annually and to have open informational meetings. He shared that Stockbridge voted to spend $15,000 for a lawyer to file an “Intervening brief” supporting General Electric and against the Housatonic River Imitative lawsuit (HRI v. GE). If GE wins, Bloom said, thousands of trucks [carrying PCBs] will be routed through Stockbridge streets (perhaps Stockbridge Main Street) for years. White asked for more information about the trucks.

Meeting adjourned

Opinion

Get to Know the Candidates

Stockbridge Updates invites all those running to send Stockbridge Updates the answers to The Candidates’ Q&A:

What prompted you to run?

If elected, what would be your primary focus?

What would you like voters to know about you?

In addition, SU will offer space for The Candidates’ Opening statements – 400 words or less posted in the issues between now and Election Day. If you do not like to write — SU will videotape your statement.

Even if you are running unopposed, send your answers and your statement to SU — introduce yourself to the voters. An informed electorate is the bedrock of democracy.

Thank you.

Democratic Town Committee Endorsements

From the Democratic Town Committee:

The following candidates were endorsed at the Democratic Caucus on April 8, 2023. The endorsement will follow their name on the ballot for the May 16 Annual Town Election. 

Select Board – Patrick White, incumbent.

Sewer & Water – John Loiodice, incumbent.

Board of Health – Elias Lefferman

Learn more about Patrick White at his website: http://www.patrickwhitestockbridge.com

Read Elias Lefferman’s responses to Stockbridge Updates Q&A: https://www.stockbridgeupdates.com/vol_iv_no_7_4-1-2023-candidate_board_of_health_elias_lefferman.html

Perspective

Stockbridge Affordable Housing Trust

Report from the Chair, Ranne P. Warner

The Stockbridge Affordable Housing Trust was formed under a Declaration of Trust by vote of the Board of Selectmen on July 28, 2022, in accordance with the Town Meeting vote June 12, 2021. Last fall the Selectmen appointed Janet Ackerman, McCaela Donovan, Donald Eaton, Mark Mills, Ranne P. Warner, Elisabeth Wheeler, and Patrick White as the Trust members.

The Trust’s mission is to support the creation and preservation of affordable housing for the benefit of Stockbridge residents. In the past two years the Stockbridge Community Preservation Committee (CPC) by vote of the Town Meeting has allocated $200,000 to the Trust to support this mission. 

Officers are Ranne P. Warner, Chair, Janet Ackerman, Vice Chair and Elisabeth Wheeler, Secretary.

Currently Stockbridge meets the MA requirement that each Commonwealth community have 10 percent of its housing stock designated as Affordable, which means that these units receive public funds. Trust members have taken responsibility for meeting and learning the needs of the 113 affordable housing units currently existing in Stockbridge. 

Pine Woods (30 family housing units) — Elisabeth Wheeler

Heaton Court (51 senior housing units) — Donald Eaton

Riverbrook (22 units for women) — McCaela Donovan

A major focus of the Trust’s work in its first 6 months has been to understand the significant repair work needed at Pine Woods. Recently, the CPC has voted to recommend to the Town Meeting that $50,000 of CPC funds be allocated to the Trust for the Structural and Engineering studies that are needed at Pine Woods. The Trust will collaborate with Construct, the owner of Pine Woods, to complete this work. In addition, the CPC has voted to recommend to the Town Meeting that $50,000 be allocated to the Trust for emergency repairs as they are needed at Pine Woods.

In addition, Janet Ackerman and McCaela Donovan have identified, and the Trust approved a consultant to prepare a Housing Production Plan. This study is beginning this month and will identify needs and opportunities for further Affordable and Workforce Housing in Stockbridge. It should be complete by the fa2023 and will include community meetings to discuss this work.

Mark Mills organized and the Trust hosted a meeting of all five (5) Affordable Housing Trusts in Berkshire County on March 16. In addition to Stockbridge, Trusts exist in Williamstown, Pittsfield, Lenox and Great Barrington. Speakers from State and County Affordable Housing organizations spoke about funding and informational resources available to the Trusts and all Trust members shared the activities underway in their respective communities.

Editor’s Note: Stockbridge Updates is trying a new format for reporting on Town meetings: “Key Takeaways” rather than “Notes from” our meetings. Let us know which you prefer.

Perspective

ROR, PCBs, the Housatonic, and our Town

I spoke up at the Select Board meeting on April 14, because I have become more concerned on a daily basis at the information denied the residents of Stockbridge about the Rest of River/ PCB process.

For example: 

1. How much Stockbridge taxpayer money has been spent on Rest of River legal bills? The Town Administrator reported that the Town appropriated ‘one hundred and eighty thousand dollars ($ 180,000.00). What are these legal bills for? 
2. The Housatonic River runs through Stockbridge. What are the impacts on the public health of Stockbridge citizens?
3. In 1972, consultants were asked to select the optimum site for as a water source for a municipal well to serve Lee and Lenox. They selected the exact spot they have down selected as the spot to dump PCBs. 

Rest of River Municipal Committee conducts its meetings in secret. For example, at the last meeting, public comment or question was not allowed, however, there was an important question. If the PCBs are trucked from other places to a dump site in Lee, how many trucks will go through Stockbridge? Over what period of time? Someone at the Select Board meeting said 1000s of trucks per year over a period of years? Is that true?

I attended the SB meeting to ask that ROR reports made to Select Board be made in public session not executive session.

We need facts.

by Denny Alsop

At The Garden

Berkshire Botanical Garden Presents ‘Alchemy and Innocents’ 

Featuring Works by Anastasia Traina, May 5 through June 25 

STOCKBRIDGE, MASS. — Berkshire Botanical Garden’s 2023 art season continues with “Alchemy and Innocents,” featuring works by Anastasia Traina, from May 5 through June 25, in the Leonhardt Art Galleries.

The opening reception is Friday, May 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. 

In “Alchemy and Innocents,” Traina, a writer, director and artist, illuminates the botanical world and its hidden creatures by building a Nouveau-Victorian landscape inhabited by magical insects and fauna placed into realistic botanic backdrops. Her inspiration is the nature found in her backyard, fairy tales from around the globe, natural history, and Victorian culture. 

By embracing watercolor, graphite, colored pencil, hand- pressed paper, kiln cast glass, and pate de verre, the work seeks to excite and inspire audiences to rediscover the efflorescing beauty already around them — giving us an even more profound sense of wonder and appreciation for the extraordinary reality within our own little corner. 

Traina, originally from the cinnamon-scented concrete of New York City, now lives in the verdant village of East Chatham, N.Y., with her husband; her faithful dog, Fanny Brawne; her 40,000 bees; and grass beneath her feet. Having traveled the world at a young age and become a successful actress, writer and director in theater and film, she eventually found herself at a crossroads, like so many of us do. She soon discovered other media through which to tell her story. She forged her way into glass sculpture and botanical art. 

Her work includes the fairy, flora and fauna of the botanical art world, sculpture, glass kiln casting, and the lost art of pate verre.

She studied botanical art at the prestigious New York Botanical Garden, graduating with high honors and has gone on to show this work in multiple galleries and fine art magazines. Traina was awarded funding to study at the famed Corning Glass Studios and Urban Glass Studios in Brooklyn, N.Y., and is a 2022 recipient of the Martha Boschen Porter Fund.

Gallery hours for “Alchemy and Innocents” are seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at 5 West Stockbridge Rd., Stockbridge, Mass. Visit BerkshireBotanical.org for more information.

The Last Word

Reader to Reader

Carole, re your Editorial — just a side note to make sure you know this (if you don’t already) — the ruling explicitly excluded Town Meeting, which is a legislative body, not an open public meeting. Only registered voters in the town have the legal right to speak, and only at the leave of the Moderator. Anyone who is unruly may be told by the Moderator to be silent, and if the person persists, the Moderator may order the Constable to confine the person for the duration of the Meeting.

Dear Carole,

“Part I ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND DISTRICTS

Chapter 39 MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

Section 17 POWERS OF MODERATOR; PRESERVATION OF ORDER

Section 17. No person shall address a town meeting without leave of the moderator, and all persons shall, at the request of the moderator, be silent.

If a person, after warning from the moderator, persists in disorderly behavior, the moderator may order him to withdraw from the meeting, and, if he does not withdraw, may order a constable or any other person to remove him and confine him in some convenient place until the meeting is adjourned.”

Best, Michael F. Wilcox

Thank you, Michael,

I will print your letter in SU for everyone’s information.

Again thanks, Carole

To the Editor:

A Man for All Seasons

I am writing in support of Mr. Patrick White to be re-elected to the Stockbridge Select Board. 

Mr White is a neighbour. Over the years I have witnessed first hand Patrick’s practical approach to solving problems. He is willing to listen, to consider all points of view, and to find creative solutions to intractable problems. 

We first met at the Laurel Hill Association–an organization “dedicated to further the quality of life and the environment of Stockbridge.” I think this phrase could serve as Patrick’s mantra.

Patrick is always ready to help in uneasy times and I have been repeatedly impressed by his love and dedication to Stockbridge affairs, especially in his tireless pro-active attempts to mend the difference in conflicting opinions.

Mediation, imagination and selflessness are attributes that are hard to find and qualities that the Town needs in this day and age. Based on his past achievements, I will trust Mr White to be again at the helm of the ship. 

Lionel Delevingne

To the Editor: Stockbridge Needs Roxanne as a Selectperson

I hope Stockbridge will vote decisively for Roxanne McCaffrey in the upcoming Town election.

Roxanne is the Selectperson the Town must have, if Stockbridge is to have cohesive, rational, and effective government for all its citizens. She will help restore dignity, respect and common purpose to our government. Her election will enable achievement of Town objectives, and without rancor, division, and intentional discrimination. We need the help.

Wayne Slosek is another voice of reason and anchor of civility and accomplishment on the Planning Board. He, like Roxanne, is a model of the Norman Rockwell responsible citizen who steps forward for his/her community. Wayne also deserves decisive support, and re-election. As above, Stockbridge and the Planning Board need him.

Brandi Page is also a strong candidate for the Assessors position. She has professional assessor experience in the Berkshires and was in the past an employee of the Stockbridge assessors’ office where she was and remains highly regarded. She will be an asset for the Town.

Finally, please do NOT make the Finance Committee elective; that proposal will merely open the door (wide) to making that “watchdog” committee political. And, when no one runs for an open spot (as happens in Stockbridge) it will allow the Selectboard — which the Finance Committee is intended to advise and oversee on financial matters –to appoint its own watchdog! That is not good governance at all. Presently — and for decades—the Finance Committee has been appointed by the independent town moderator and such Committee has long and well-served Stockbridge in its intended role. The proposal is designed to undermine and radicalize — not improve — good governance. Please vote to defeat the proposal.

And, please elect Roxanne. 

Respectfully,

Joseph H. Newberg — 42 years a second homeowner in Stockbridge, and still counting.

Hi Carole, 

Having been a selectman in Stockbridge for 24 years (1974 – 1998 ), I know what the job requires :

a willingness to work hard,time to listen and communicate with constituents,the ability to evaluate best options and most importantly,a vision for the town based upon its historic values . Patrick White possesses and demonstrates all of them and has for the past 3 years. 

A check of the number of meetings that Patrick attends weekly shows the time that he spends for the Town . He is well known for his quick responses to questions or complaints. He listens. Patrick is smart, verbal, and imaginative — all of which allows him to be a quick study of problems (housing, rentals, the Bowl… ) and their possible solutions . Not everyone agrees with him all of the time and they shouldn’t, but he does make decisions.

Finally, Stockbridge is known and highly valued for its not physically changing. Open space, no stop light, resistance to roundabouts, no turnpike entrance/exit… are just a few examples of maintaining a commitment to the past. Patrick knows this … I strongly urge Stockbridge voters to return him to the selectboard … The town needs him.

JA Beacco, Jr.

Hi Carole,

I’m not sure if we’ve met in person but my name is Hannah Wilken and I’m Matt Boudreau’s wife from Stockbridge! I’m emailing first, to thank you for all you do for Stockbridge with the weekly newsletter. I read it every week and especially love the photos.

Secondly, I’m working with a grassroots group to join the community and purchase the Triplex Cinema in GB as a nonprofit. If no action is taken the theater is set to close in early June. We’ve had press in the Eagle, Edge, and been included in the New Marlborough/Monterey town newsletter. I was wondering if this was something you would publish in the Stockbridge Update. I have a press release attached, our website below, and I am happy to pen something personally if that’s what you want for the newsletter. I was born and raised in Stockbridge and know how important personal stories are.

Thank you so much for your time and I hope to talk soon!

Hannah Wilken
Vice President, Save the Triplex
savethetriplex.org

Hi Carole,

My letter for Stockbridge Updates regarding the Triplex is below. Thank you for including it!

Best, Lisa Newmann

SAVE THE TRIPLEX — To The Film-loving Community In The Berkshires:

As you may have heard, The Triplex movie theater in Great Barrington is set to close on June 1st if a buyer cannot be found. There is currently an out-of-town, for-profit company interested in purchasing the Triplex. But this week, as you’ve been reading in local publications, a group of concerned Berkshire County residents gathered to form a non-profit organization to purchase the Triplex. Their non-profit status is expected to be confirmed this week. 

The idea of a non-profit cinema was decided after over 45 local residents came together to vote on whether to help raise money for the outside company, or begin its own non-profit entity to purchase and run the theatre and its many community offerings. 

There are currently three other area movie theaters that have been successfully operating as non-profit entities: Millerton’s The Moviehouse; Chatham’s Crandell Theatre and Williamstown’s Images Cinema. 

The Triplex would be in good company. As a member of the Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) Advisory Board, I know the importance of storytelling through the medium of film, and the cultural richness a movie theatre brings to a town. Our area needs a permanent, stable venue for movie lovers. And it’s imperative that the BIFF, a world renown film festival, has a home for its annual international event in Great Barrington and year-round programming. In its 17th year, The BIFF is an essential Berkshire cultural entity that educates, entertains, and cultivates important conversations in our community. 

As my BIFF colleagues have recently stated in numerous local publications, we feel strongly about this effort. We cannot let the Triplex go dark. savethetriplex@gmail.com Thank you for your help!

Lisa Newmann

To the Editor:

Housing on Aquidneck Island is very costly today. The island is a tourist area. In 2017 the creation of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) went into effect allowing owner-occupied single-family homes the right to build an ADU. The ADUs allow families to stay in close proximity to each other and are cost effective for keeping locals in their homes.

Michael Arsenault

Editor’s Note: Arsenault visited the Berkshires in April, read about the discussion on Accessory Dwelling Units in Stockbridge, and wanted to comment from his experience.