You may have heard the story. It’s the minute the idea took shape – the reason Stockbridge Updates was born.

I went with a pal to Town Meeting (TM). We were in line behind three women who were checking in and collecting their Warrants. One looked at the Warrant and said, “This is the first time I am seeing this.” She pointed to one article on the Warrant and asked, “What is it? Ever hear of it?” That was it. It was the minute I decided there had to be a way for folks to know what they were being asked to vote on before they walked into TM. How could they vote on the disposition of the entire budget for the coming year when they had minutes to read, understand, and vote? In Stockbridge, we the people are Congress – we hold the purse strings. No one — elected, appointed, or hired — could get paid a salary or a stipend; fund a new program or continue an old one; could roll out a fire truck or a police car; save money, or spend it, if TM did not vote in the affirmative. This is one of very few pure democracies left on the planet – we are self-governed. We needn’t complain about the taxes because the rate is based on the budget and the people approve the budget. Want to pay less? Vote to spend less. Three women in line in front of us started Stockbridge Updates, because by gosh, I was going to work every day for seven years, longer if possible, to get the word out.

So how’m I doin’? Not so good. TM still rubberstamps the articles on the Warrant – including the budget – every year. We continue to give away our power to whomever we figure knows better. People who like to rule over folks and think they know not just better but best count on our willingness to rubberstamp or stay home. Nevertheless, SU will present and explain every article as best we can. We will poke and prod anyone who works for Stockbridge to educate and enlighten. SU will depend upon people who follow our local government to learn, reach out, and share – folks like Bruce Blair.

One thing you will be asked to vote on is: To see if the Town will adopt the Seasonal Community designation as proposed by the Commonwealth in The Affordable Homes Act.

Brush up and vote wisely. Start by reading Blair’s article below under Perspectives.

Seasonal Community (SC) will be a hot topic. Pretty soon you will be inundated with an avalanche of words advocating the SC designation. We know there “ain’t no such thing as a free lunch” so we won’t be surprised to learn there are some pretty stiff tradeoffs to anything Stockbridge might receive. Be informed about the plus/minus. Reject any suggestion that there is only one solution: pick the best from among the many solutions. Which is that? The one with the fewest negative consequences. Trust the ones who tell us – they like this answer but here’s the downside. SU will work to inform. We will post hard facts and all opinions submitted. Then we can quietly form our own opinion.

Let’s start now: one argument in favor of SC is that it is the only solution to the housing problem in South County. Another argument is that folks will not be able to buy a new home or maintain it until we focus on creating good paying jobs. One proponent of creating housing but not necessarily supporting SC, suggests: improve infrastructure and more housing will follow. Someone on the other side of the issue worries that improved infrastructure will open the flood gates for rampant development without necessarily creating affordable housing. One writer fears an increase in taxes, a decrease in local control, and a decrease in property values if SC changes the character of Stockbridge.

It’s complicated; there is no quick fix. Pick the solution with the fewest negative consequences. Push for facts – bone up on the issues – air your opinion – then attend TM and vote.
Carole Owens
Executive Editor