Notes from the Stockbridge Historic Preservation Commission

Meeting December 7 via Zoom

Commission Members:

Carl Sprague, Chair (present)

Peter Williams (present)

Jorja Marsden (present)

Pam Sandler (present)

Jay Rhind

Gary Johnston

Lisa Sauer (present)

The application to tear down 50 Lake Drive and build new was approved. The 945 square foot house built in 1962 was deemed to have no historic value as described in the bylaws.

Cottage Era estate Merrywood (on Old Stockbridge Road) recently sold, and Elm Court is currently for sale. Either or both may apply to the Historic Commission for changes or otherwise be on a future agenda.

Work on the Cat and Dog Fountain and the Horse Trough is moving forward with funds allocated by the Community Preservation Commission.

Notes from the Sewer and Water Commission

Meeting December 7 via Zoom

Commission members:

Donald Schneyer, Chairman

John Loiodice

Peter J. Socha

Also present Tony Campetti, Sewer Superintendent; Michael Buffoni, Water Superintendent; and Michael Canalis, Town Administrator

There were three topics under discussion:

1. Proposed new pumping station on Park Street: Tony Campetti made site visits and different designs were discussed. The cost was estimated at $100,000. Members discussed how much of the work might be done by the town in order to reduce that cost.
2. Vehicle Purchases: Michael Canales suggested that there are standards for establishing when to replace town vehicles. For example, a plow may have a shorter life than other town vehicles. In addition, Canales said, there are maintenance schedules that can be adopted to prolong the life of vehicles.
3. Impact of Covid: Michael Buffoni has an obligation, mandated by the Department of Environmental Protection, to inspect Backflow Prevention devices twice a year. It requires home visits. During Covid, Buffoni expressed discomfort about entering so many houses during Covid. It was suggested he contact DEP and ask if the inspections can be postponed.

Notes from Board of Assessors

Meeting December 7 via Zoom

Board of Assessors

Gary Pitney, Chair

Douglas M. Goudey

Thomas Stokes

Michael Blay, Principal Assessor

1. On the agenda were the FY2021 Exemption applications & certificates: those wishing to apply for an exemption have until April 1, 2021 to file.
2. FY2021 Real & Personal Property Abatement Applications: there were 20 applications for abatements compared to 38 last year. Those submitting applications include Elm Court, DeSisto, and Pinewood
3. Karen Williams, Town Collector/Treasurer: her last day is Friday, December 11, 2020. The Board voted to send a note thanking her for her service to the town.
4. Michael Canales is in the process of writing new safety protocols for Town Hall. They will be circulated when complete. They will include limiting ingress and egress to Town Hall and may also include amount of time (perhaps 15 minutes) that people visiting can be in Town Hall.
5. Tom Stokes said there was no update on Tax Exemption Pilot program.

Editor’s note:

1. An exemption is a reduction in the level of real estate taxes owed.
2. An abatement may be a tax reduction, or a rebate, granted for conditions of land or property verified by an inspection.
3. The Tax Exemption Pilot program encourages properties exempt from paying real estate taxes to make a voluntary contribution to the town.

Notes from Board of Selectmen

Meeting December 10, 5:30 PM via Zoom

The Select Board (SB) meeting began an hour early to interview the two candidates selected to replace Karen Williams, Town Collector/Treasurer, who is retiring. Her assistant, Christine Goretti, applied as did Erika Olsen, Collector/Treasurer of Clarksburg. The two women were each interviewed for 30 minutes. Both seemed equally personable and interested in the position. Goretti has work experience in Stockbridge. Olsen holds an advanced degree and has 12 years experience as a collector/treasurer. The decision will be made Monday night.

The Agenda during the regular meeting at 6:30 included:

1. The SB approved contracts for work on the following:
   • Cat and Dog Fountain
   • Curtisville Bridge
   • Consultant to write the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP)
   • The MVP is required before Stockbridge is qualified to apply for Action Grants.
2. All extant liquor licenses were renewed. There were no new applicants for 2021.
3. Renewal of the 2021 Entertainment Licenses was complicated by a Commonwealth requirement that all establishments in a given district must have the same closing time. In Stockbridge many diverse entertainment venues are in a residential district, and therefore must have uniform closings. Though their programs and usual closing times may be different, Naumkeag, Tanglewood, and the Berkshire Theater Group, for example, would have to close at the same hour because they are all located in a residential zone. The discussion was wide-ranging. The choice narrowed to an 11pm or a midnight closing. A suggestion was made that perhaps an 11pm closing could be required for outdoor events and midnight could be required for indoor events. A decision was postponed pending a query to the Commonwealth to determine if indoor and outdoor venues in residential districts could have different closing times.
4. For the final item on the agenda, see the SU editorial.