Editorial

Editorial: Heroes

From our vantage, in the safety of our village, we watched the horrors in Israel. Still, we were deeply disturbed and frightened by what we saw.

Terrorists kill, but they also seek to petrify and demoralize those who remain. Let’s not let them. Instead, here are tales of heroism, stories of the indomitable human spirit and of the heroes who defeated the unspeakable and prevailed over evil. 

I

There was no warning. Shock showed on the faces of ordinary citizens. As the sirens screamed, fear mixed with shock. The telephone rang. 

“Father, we are in a safe room in the Kibbutz. Armed men broke in. They are going room to room killing even infants. They are going house to house burning. We called to say goodbye.”

The old man said, “Son, don’t move — I am coming.”

The old man did not think. “I am old, I cannot go.” The old man thought, “This my family. I must go.”

Neighbors joined him, and a carload of the ones the media calls “too old to do the job” set out. They drove an hour to the Kibbutz. They were armed. The old man brought their family home to safety. To defeat evil — defeat the intent of evil.

II

A young woman was awake as others in the Kibbutz slept. She hesitated. There was no official warning, no flare or alarm, but she felt something was wrong. She knew her home and its sounds and she sensed something was not right. 

The kibbutz had a high fence. The woman blocked it so no one could enter. She woke her friends and neighbors. There was a fire fight, but it took place through the fence. No kibbutz-nik was killed. No home was burned. It was the only kibbutz in Israel not destroyed on Saturday, October 7, 2023. To defeat evil recognize evil.

III

A mother was shot pointblank in the head. As the mother fell, another woman grabbed the 4-month-old and toddler the mother had clutched in her arms.

She grabbed them and ran, thinking, “Enough! No more will die today.” 

They lived, but every minute, the toddler asks, “Where is Mama?”

Human beings have free will. This past week we saw the worst and the best.

News

SU FYI

Cultural Council Deadline

1. The deadline to apply to the Local Cultural Council program is October 17th @11:59pm. If you have an application that is still in draft form, please make sure you complete and submit it by the deadline. 

Judith Wilkinson, Chair, Stockbridge Cultural Council (SCC), says that our Council has $15,500 to award — $5,500 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and $10,000 from the Town of Stockbridge. SCC will provide meaningful support to Stockbridge-based applicants, to applicants whose projects take place in a Stockbridge venue, and to projects that positively impact Stockbridge residents. 

For an application form and to submit, please click massculturalcouncil.org/stockbridge 

Free COVID Tests

2. A tip from a reader: Carole, I was at a meeting and mentioned ordering the new, free COVID tests. Several people were unaware they could order them. It might benefit residents to know that free tests are available by going to https://www.covid.gov/tests. 

Thanks, Chrisine Rasmussen

News

Events

Special Town Meeting: October 23 6pm

1. Special Town Meeting — Vote on October 23, 2023. It is about our schools — should there be an 8Town Merger of the high schools? It is about our seniors — should we have a Senior Tax Work off Town Program? — Special Town Meeting on October 23 in Town Offices.

League of Women Voters

2. League of Women Voters of MA “Day on the Hill” is on October 11th at 10 a.m. Join League members across the state in advocating for: 1) increasing ballot access, 2) preventing maternal mortality, 3) reducing gun violence, and 4) banning forever chemicals. You can watch the program on Zoom and then follow-up with calls and emails to our legislators. To receive a Zoom link, email Berkshirelwv@gmail.com

Stockbridge Library3. Stockbridge Library events:Mini Pumpkin Painting Tuesday, October 17 @ 3:30 — 4:30pmPlay With Clay Wednesday, October 25 @ 3:30 pm – 4:30 pmAnnual Pumpkin Walkabout Friday, October 27 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pmVoices of Poetry featuring Robert Carr, Rage Hezekiah, Richard Hoffman, and Heather Treseler – Saturday, October 28 @ 3:00 pm — 4:00 pmBoston Symphony Orchestra Retired Musician Richard Mackey in conversation with John Perkel Sunday, October 29 @ 3:00 pm — 4:00 pm

Berkshire Botanical Garden

4. Berkshire Botanical Garden upcoming events:

October 20 — Poetry in Place

October 21 – Deer Defense

October 21 — Stonemasonry

October 25 — Creative Composition

October 28 — Four Season Tree Identification

For more information www.berkshirebotanical.org

Laurel Hill Association

5. Laurel Hill: The First Billion Years – An evening with Williams College Professor Ronadh Cox, Saturday November 4, 4:00 PM Stockbridge Library — No Charge but Reservations Suggested

Around 22,000 years ago, ice covered all of New England and extended south to Long Island, NY. The ice sheet was up to 2 miles thick, much of the Ocean’s water was taken up by the massive sheets of ice which caused sea level to fall by at least 400 feet. When the ice retreated Laurel Hill, Ice Glen and surrounding features emerged into watery sun light. Cox, the Edward Brust Professor of Geology and Mineralogy at Williams College, will describe this fascinating period in earth’s history.

Laurel Hill Association, founded in 1853, is devoted to the improvement of the village of Stockbridge and to the lands under its stewardship. LHA sponsors special programs including lectures, Earth Day clean up, and the annual Laurel Hill Day. 

For further Information contact info@laurelhillassociation.org

Senior Center

6. Senior Center — October 25, 2023, 2pm, Senior Center

Program: Joshua Hall will speak on the History of Ice Glen and Jack Gremli will sing and entertain. Reservations required.

Dulye Leadership Experience

7. The Dulye Leadership Experience (DLE) will host a virtual program with career coach and C-Suite advisor Ryan Dickerson on October 27. Discussion will explore the topic of career transitions. There is no fee to participate, however advance registration is required. Contact Nicole Laureyns at nicole@dulye.com

Ice Glen Halloween Walk

8. Ice Glen Halloween Walk, for the first time in many years, is scheduled for October 28. Meet at Park Street in the soccer field at 6pm—cider and cider donuts will follow. Thank to Neil Haywood, Vincent Garofoli, Darrell Fennelly, and the entire Stockbridge Fire and Police Departments for their efforts to revive this tradition.

News

Key Notes from the Housing Authority (HA) Board meeting, October 3, 2023, in-person only

Stockbridge Housing has a waiting list of 1960 people (not all from Stockbridge). At least 162 are not elderly but are handicapped. In addition, since 2010, the median age in Stockbridge has risen from 40 to 62. The data indicates a need to expand the number of units at Heaton Court. 

Patrick White suggested that at some time in the future, the Affordable Housing Trust may have money available to build more units.

HA has considered building units in the triangle — land to the left of the current buildings. HA owns it but Laurel Hill Association placed a restriction on the land precluding building to protect trees. LHA might lift the restriction so HA could build because the two trees in question have since died.

White made a suggestion to build on town-owned land to the rear of the current buildings where there is now a dirt road. It would require professional consultation — perhaps through a CPC planning grant — to determine if there is space for the additional units plus an access road and parking.

White also mentioned, since Stockbridge was designated a Justice40 Community, there may be federal money available for energy costs for seniors.

News

Key Notes from the Select Board (SB), October 3, 2023, Hybrid

The SB finalized the warrant for the Special Town Meeting October 23, 2023. It is the meeting for the Town to vote for or against the 8Town school merger. A yes vote would leave elementary schools in place but combine the two high schools into one. Students from eight towns — West Stockbridge, Stockbridge, Great Barrington, Alford, Monterey, New Marlborough, Sheffield, and Egremont — would attend together in a new building.

A no vote would leave the two current districts and schools as is. West Stockbridge, Stockbridge, and Great Barrington in one district using Monument Mountain High School (planning already started for new high school) and the other five towns in the second district using Mt. Everett High School.

The SB also decided to add the “Tax work-off program for seniors” to the warrant. A yes vote would continue a program whereby seniors can work to reduce their tax bill. A no vote would end the program.

News

Key Notes from the Debate on the 8Town School Merger, October 4, 2023, Hybrid

Moderator: Kevin Moran, Executive Editor, The Berkshire eagle

Pro: The six members of the 8Town Regional School District Planning Board that worked for three years answering the question: are we better together? 

Anti: Three people representing those opposed to the merger: Jane Burke (Founder/Director Flying Cloud — Great Barrington), Kevin Fish (Advancement Services — John Jay College – Sandisfield), and Renee Wood (Select Borad member – Sheffield). 

Those in favor of the merger relied upon three variables: declining population (including declining enrollment), increased costs, and decreasing Commonwealth contribution to local schools. Although they pointed out that a proposed merger was turned down in the 1950, 1980, 1990, and 2009, they felt it was the only plan and the best plan to increase class size, increase teacher salaries, offer more courses, and pay for a new high school building.

Those opposed did not accept the data. They did not accept that past statistics predict future statistics. They did not agree that larger classes were better, and while they were not rejecting a merger entirely, they were absolutely opposed to the present plan. They suggested, “vote no”, and then return to the negotiating table.

In order for the proposed merger to pass, all eight towns must vote in favor. Seven of the eight agreed to hold their special town meetings on the same date (October 23). Egremont is holding its special town meeting prior to October 23rd. Even if Egremont votes no, all present, regardless of being pro or con, urged the other seven towns to hold the meeting and vote on the proposal.

News

Key Notes from the Conservation Commission, October 10, 2023, Hybrid

White Engineering for a new-build on Dugway Road. Consultant David Cameron was concerned about runoff from the very steep driveway especially during construction. It would go directly into Mohawk Brook. The engineers will redraw the plans showing how runoff will be directed.

Addition at 25 Church approved.

Rattlesnake Mountain Road requested approval for new-build and swimming pool — neighbor objected. According to Cameron, ConCom apparently does not have jurisdiction over the matter. Building approved.

New deck at 17 Mahkeenac approved. However, a letter will be sent informing the owners that their dock is illegal because only a 25-foot dock is allowed, and their dock appears to be over 40 feet.

17 Lake View requested a Certificate of Compliance — issued after work completed. ConCom will make site visit first.

21 Church Street has lost many feet of lawn at the river-edge. Three feet in one year and nineteen feet in another year, a total of 24 feet of back yard eroded. ConCom will send a “friendly letter” informing them that their land is eroding because they cleared the land and planted grass all the way to the water’s edge. The letter will also explain that is against Stockbridge bylaws and what they can do to correct it.

Naumkeag still has not submitted a storm water management plan or a plan for grass cutting

National Grid needs ConCom to submit a plan for planting 20 trees.

Patrick White reported on a Resilience Conference he attended. There is money available from the Commonwealth. For example, Stockbridge is a Justice40 community approved for energy funds for seniors and there is a solar initiative. White recommended Stockbridge should apply.

White explained Commonwealth, on our behalf, has applied for a federal grant ($3 million) for a “wildlife highway” under Route 7 from one side of Kampoosa Bog to the other as well as $2million for the purchase of Fenn Farm — he suggested we keep it up.

News

Key Notes from the Select Board meeting, October 12, 2023, Hybrid

The Tax Classification Hearing was part of the SB meeting. Once a year, in the fall, it is Commonwealth law that select boards consider and determine by majority vote three tax items: Will the Town have a single tax rate or a split tax rate between residential class and commercial class? Will the Town adopt the Residential Tax Exemption? Will the Town adopt the Small Commercial Tax Exemption? After the Assessor’s report and a recommendation from the Board of Assessors NOT to adopt the Commercial Tax Exemption, the SB voted as follows:

In favor of the single tax rate between commercial and residential — unanimous

In favor of the Small Commercial Tax Exemption — unanimous

Residential Tax Exemption — Cardillo and Minacci opposed; White in favor — RTE failed to be adopted.

The Small Commercial Tax exemption will benefit eight businesses out of 36 total businesses; The savings to the eight businesses (up to 10% of valuation) will be spread over the others in the class. However, since the projected tax rate is down from $8.11 last year to $7.37 this year, and the increases will be around $.06, businesses will pay less than last year – $7.43 compared to $8.11. 

A number of folks spoke in favor of RTE including White. 

White explained: 

In 2000, the tax rate was approximately $10, and the median house price was $235,000. That made the average tax bill $2350.

In 2023, the tax rate will be approximately $7.37, and the median house price is $750,000. The average tax bill will be $5527.

At the same time the median income of primary residents remained the same at $45,000. 

Taxes are up 250% and income is flat — that is the basis of the need for RTE. 

In addition, John Hart added, there is a fairness argument, in most cases, the increase in primary homeowners’ taxes is not a result of any improvements or additions they made, but instead are a result of second homeowners building multi-million-dollar houses. Valuations of those houses lifts valuations of all houses.

Further matters on the agenda were the financial problems for Community Television South Berkshire (CTSB) because CTSB income is tied to the amount of Spectrum subscriber income and that is in rapid decline. They asked that we write our representatives before October 31, 2023, and support new legislation (MS F34) creating more income for CTSB.

There was also a discussion of how to organize and coordinate with the Stockbridge-Munsee returning. A steering committee was suggested — further discussion at the next SB meeting.

Perspective

From the Desk of the Stockbridge Fire Chief Vincent Garofoli 

More Fire Safety Tips and Procedures

In case of fire, always call 911 and evacuate your residence as soon as possible. 

1. The first line of defense against any Fire or Carbon Monoxide incident is properly working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. If your detectors have batteries that can be changed, change them twice a year — when you change the clocks, change the batteries. Replace the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every 10 years. If you have a fire alarm system, have it serviced by the alarm company annually to ensure proper functioning. 

2. The next area of safety is heating devices and open flame devices – furnaces, woodstoves, space heaters, fireplaces, and candles. It is very important to have our furnaces and chimneys cleaned and serviced annually. It is extremely important that if you use wood stoves and have to leave them unattended, close their doors, and if possible, close any vents to prevent a sudden down draft from releasing hot embers into the room. Don’t leave space heaters or candles unattended. Don’t leave them near combustible materials like paper, cardboard, books and linens like curtains, drapes, etc. Don’t use them when you sleep. Pay attention to pets when you are using them as it is common for pets (especially cats and small climbing animals) to knock them over unintentionally. We also suggest if you are using space heaters, use only the ones that have automatic shutoffs if they tip over. 

3. Have clear and easily accessible exits. We strongly advise you to keep all hallways, stairways, and exit doors free of any items that you could trip over if you had to get out fast. 

4. Fire drills and exit plans. It is very important to review with your families what to do if there is a fire in your home. Practice getting outside to a safe place fast. Pick one spot for your family to gather so you know everyone is out safely. When choosing your safe place to meet make sure it is far enough away from the burning building so embers and smoke won’t hurt you. Make sure it is safely away from the road or driveway but still close enough to see the First Responders coming so they can talk to you when they arrive. 

If you have any questions, concerns or would like the Stockbridge Fire Department to visit and assist you with fire safety please reach out to us. The Stockbridge Fire Department is very proud to offer a free program to Stockbridge residents. We evaluate your residence for fire and life safety concerns and offer suggestions and in some cases services to help you. Our goal is your safety!

Perspective

Housing and Community

I want a diverse community of long-time residents, families, wage-earners, local entrepreneurs, year-round and part-time residents and visitors! One obstacle is housing!

When I was thinking about housing in Stockbridge this song came to mind.

“The head bone’s connected to the neck bone and the neck bone’s connected to the shoulder bone and the shoulder bone’s connected to the back bone”…… 

We know senior housing is a challenge. Many older people who have lived and raised their families in Stockbridge can’t afford to stay in their big old homes or downsize. This is due to the Stockbridge housing market. Properties are worth more to sell to people as second homes or investment properties. Why? We protect the Town from overdevelopment, keep the gateways beautiful, have trails, lakes, and nature all around, and are home to world-class culture.

AND high-priced housing results in few new families. Thus, the fire department doesn’t have volunteers. Full-time residents are aging and the pool of potential volunteers is small. AND volunteers on the town committees are getting older. We would all benefit from ‘intergenerational’ committees! 

AND, we don’t have many children growing up in Stockbridge or young people moving to Stockbridge. When the Plain School closed many townspeople were saddened NOT to regularly see children. With few families with children, other families question whether to move here.

AND it’s hard for people who work in Stockbridge to live here. It would be terrific if the wage earners who work in local hospitality and tourism businesses that drive the Stockbridge economy could afford to live in Town.

Unfortunately, the current housing market doesn’t result in diversity. That is why local government needs to ‘intervene’ to tackle the housing crisis through: zoning changes to encourage more housing (e.g. Accessory Dwelling Units); taxing strategies and incentives; and development of affordable housing. 

I struggle to grasp that a vocal minority of part-time residents (with a median income of more than $250,000 compared to $46,500 for year-round residents) consider themselves “victims of discrimination” when the Town considers policies that would make living in Stockbridge more affordable for families, seniors, and workers.

A community is like a family – and every member can contribute. Some volunteer time, some pay more taxes, some go to local shops and restaurants, some own small businesses. By tackling housing, we can become a more well-rounded community — a place for all.

by Laura Dubester

The Last Word

Reader to Reader

To The Editor:

In SU (Vol. IV No. 22 10/1/2023) Patrick White’s Selectman’s Report makes valid points on the potential value of the Senior Tax Work Off Town Abatement program as a tool to help eligible house-rich, cash-strapped elderly reduce their real estate taxes by allowing them to work for one of the town departments “earning” $15.00 per hour up to about 100 hours for a cap of $1,500 per year (as of 1/25/23)”.

The Select Board’s discussion, with Administrator Mike Canales, on the adoption of this program shows they recognize the problem that ‘being over-housed” causes when increasing amounts of seniors’ fixed incomes must be spent on taxes. It creates stress as they decide if they can eat, buy medicine, pay utility bills, transportation costs, or other bills. 

I would like to add my voice to support of the Senior Tax Work-off Program.

This program helps the people in less-than-golden years, the people who built our community, the people living with financial stress, an embarrassment they may even hide from their children.

MA General Laws Senior Tax Program spells out the town’s responsibilities for administrating the program by first having it adopted by the majority of voters at a town meeting. We can vote on this Senior Tax Work-off Program at the October 23rd Special Town Meeting and also on the proposed merger of the two school districts. If the program is approved the voters will have an opportunity to participate in the discussions the selectmen are required to conduct on the amount of the exemption, the jobs the town will have available, the application process, etc. 

Many times, infighting, obfuscation, delays, and chaos, develop to defeat a proposed change. Let’s build community — understand the needs of our neighbors and decide on the issues. 

Christine Rasmussen

To the editor:

Last night I attended our Stockbridge Select Board meeting and I left absolutely shocked and stunned. Why? Last night was the board’s annual ‘tax classification’ hearing. 

The tax classification hearing is to determine three issues:

Will Stockbridge have a single tax rate? 

Will Stockbridge adopt the Residential Tax Exemption RTE? 

Will Stockbridge adopt a Small Commercial Tax Exemption (SCTE)?

The SB approved the single rate and the SCTE but voted down the RTE.

Other MA towns in which property values were driven up by second homeowners have adopted RTE. It allows primary property owners to exempt up to 35% from their assessed property values and they are taxed on that amount. 

In order, however, to satisfy the town’s total tax ‘levy’ the difference is spread out among the part time homeowners’ assessments.

I grew up in Stockbridge and have been here for most of the past 70 years. Over those years I have agreed with some select board members and disagreed with others, but I have never seen anything as absurd as this. It is the full-time residents who elect these members to the Select Board. RTE gives full time residents (aka voters) a break on taxes driven up second homeowners. 

After last night’s meeting I could not help but wonder, ‘Do they really understand what they just voted down? And at meetings I don’t attend or zoom into, what else don’t they understand?’

What is very strange to me is that I worked hard, even bought lawn signs (for one), and rallied voters to vote all three into office. By no means was I alone in this effort. 

I went to the post office today. While there and at the coffee shop I was approached by three different voters who said, “Do Chuckie and Jamie have any idea what their job is and who voted them into office?” 

Those three implied that because of the work I did to get them into office, this was my fault. If it is, I am very sorry for my campaign efforts to get them elected. In the future, however, I will drill down much deeper into candidates to find out if they will truly be representatives of the residents and voters in Stockbridge.

I was hoping that any efforts by me in this regard were suspended for a while. I guess it’s time to begin looking for two more candidates as I alluded to upon departing last night’s meeting. 

John H. Hart

To the Editor:

I attended the last select board meeting as the annual Tax Classification Hearing was on the agenda. The tax assessor presented three options very clearly and showed how the Massachusetts Adjusted Tax Exemption Rate and the Adjusted Business Tax Rate would benefit the town residents. Several people spoke in favor of the Residential Tax Exemption. No one spoke against it at the meeting. Yet when it came to a vote, the majority voted against it. Only one voted for it. The Selectmen are elected to do what is best for the town residents so why are they against us? I don’t believe that the two who voted against it should be Selectmen. They do not care about the residents of this town.

Shirley Franz Miller