US Presidential Primary – In person voting March 5!
Vote by Mail Application Deadline – Feb. 27
Democratic Town Committee Causcus, Saturday, March 9 at 10am. Agenda: to elect delegates and alternates to the June 1 convention. The caucus is open to all, but only registered and pre-registered Stockbridge Democrats can vote or run for delegate or alternate. In person or via Zoom.
Local elections
Last Day to Obtain Nomination Papers is Friday, March 29, 5pm
Last Day to Submit Nomination Papers (with 25 signatures) is Tuesday, April 2, 2024, 5pm
Last Day to Object or Withdraw is Thursday, April 18, 2024, 5pm
Town Meeting May 20
Town Elections May 21
OFFICES FOR ELECTION:
3 Year Term
- Moderator
- Select Board
- Tree Warden
- Board of Assessors
- Board of Health
- Sewer & Water Commissioner
- Parks & Recreation
5 Year Term
- Planning Board
- Housing Authority
Candidates who have taken out papers:
- Don Schneyer: Water and Sewer
- Gary Pitney: Board of Assessors
- Charlie Kenny: Board of Health
- Nick Fredsall: Parks and Recreation
- Katie Szywd: Parks and Recreation
- Gary Johnston: Moderator
- Carole Owens, Moderator
- Anne Rabinowitz: Housing Authority
- Chuckie Cardillo: Select Board Memeber
Candidates who have taken out and returned papers:
- Gary Johnston: Moderator
- Carole Owens: Moderator
- Katie Szwyd: Parks and Recreation
- Anne Rabinowitz: Housing Authority
- Don Schneyer: Water and Sewer
- Chuck Cardillo: Select Board Member
- Lisa Sauer: Select Board Member
Get to Know the Candidates
Stockbridge Updates will spotlight all the candidates and 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 an issue between now and Election Day.
There are three contested races, (Select Board, Moderator, and Parks and Rec) but 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.
Virtual Program
Leo Lionni, Root and Branch: His Creative Influences and the Art He Inspired
March 21 at 7 pm on Zoom
In this wide-ranging illustrated talk, children’s book historian and exhibition co-curator Leonard Marcus will pinpoint the key art and life experiences that shaped Leo Lionni’s many-faceted career and highlight his ongoing legacy in the creative work of illustrator-designers Eric Carle, Lois Ehlert, and others.
$10/free for Members
Curator Tours
Between Worlds: The Art and Design of Leo Lionni
March 23 at 2pm
April 18 at 2pm
May 23 at 2pm
Join Chief Curator Stephanie Haboush Plunkett for a 40-minute Guided Tour exploring Lionni’s artistic pursuits as a leading figure in postwar American graphic art and design to his surprising “retirement career” as a creator of collage-based children’s books that have helped generations of children find their place in the world.
$15/ $10 for members
https://www.nrm.org/events/curator-tours-between-worlds-the-art-and-design-of-leo-lionni
https://www.nrm.org/events/curator-tours-between-worlds-the-art-and-design-of-leo-lionni-2
https://www.nrm.org/events/curator-tours-between-worlds-the-art-and-design-of-leo-lionni-3
Select Board, February 15, 2024, Hybrid
Kate Fletcher recommended that the term Board of Selectmen be changed to Select Board, that Selectmen be changed to members of the Select Board, and Chairman be replaced with Chair on the Town Web site, in Town bylaws, and other Town materials. Passed unanimously.
Shirley Miller suggested a representative be sent to all meetings about the PCB clean up. SB Chair said to post request for volunteer and wanted it clear that it was not a representative of the SB. Miller volunteered. The matter will be taken up at next SB meeting.
Approved destination signage at various venues and intersections. They will be placed in Spring 2024. Patrick White suggested one sign include the permanent exhibition in the building behind the Mission House about the Stockbridge-Munsee experience. Approved
Appointment of Wendy Strothman to the Cultural Council, approved.
Polly Mann Salenovich has stepped down as Director of the Council on Aging effective February 29.
The old Talbot Center will be demolished — the new smaller “swap shop” already in place.
White explained the Wildlife Highway (which is the widening and extending of culverts for all manner of critters to use.)
Kripalu will reopen on March 9 after a catastrophic pipe burst and resulting water damage.
Agreed that the Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission will be considered as one stakeholder group — the Town — so anyone can volunteer to serve. The next meeting will be March 7.
Town Administrator Michael Canales reported on the draft copy of the 2025 budget. The cost of bridges, the transfer station, and the schools are rising.
Work is progressing at a good pace on the bridges. However, Glendale Middle Road, closed by Mass Department of Transportation as unsafe, will be one-lane — with proper signage and lights — for as much as three years. Costs of other repairs are also rising and the timeline extending as materials are not available.
Nonetheless, residents may see an estimated 5.4 increase in the budget. One increase will be at the transfer station as the costs of getting rid of solid waste have increased exponentially.
To cover rising costs should the transfer station be a program subsidized by the town of Stockbridge or a utility? If the former, the cost of a sticker would be triple the cost or $150.
Member White favored keeping a low sticker price. Cardillo concurred wanting the sticker price left as is at $50 per year per resident.
Other budget concerns are employee payroll, lifeguard costs, town agreement with the Chamber of Commerce, and town vehicle replacement. The Finance Committee will also weigh in upcoming meetings.
