- Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum presents a Mother’s Day Tea on Sunday, May 11, 2025, 1pm. Admission: $50 per person. For more information: contact Linda Rocke, linda@gildedage.org; Chelsea Gaia, Chelsea@gildedage.org
- Chesterwood reopens after a four-year renovation project. The 2025 Season features exhibitions, an annual Outdoor Sculpture Show, Performing Arts, and a Speaker Series. From May 14 – October 31, 2025, the 122-acre summer residence, studio and gardens of sculptor Daniel Chester French will be open to visitors. The second floor of French’s renovated residence will feature two female artists active at Chesterwood: Evelyn Beatrice Longman and Margaret French Cresson
From the Desk of Peter Dillon, Superintendent of Superintendent of Schools, Berkshire Hills Regional School District
The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Reimbursement Rate for the High School Project Increases from 45.52% to 49.83%, Resulting in $6 Million Dollars off the Local Share
In March 2025, following diligent efforts by the Monument Mountain Regional High School Building Committee and Dr. Peter Dillion, Superintendent of Berkshire Hills Regional School District, MSBA corrected their original reimbursement rate of 45.52% to 49.83%, increasing the state share from $53 million to $59 million, and lowering the local contribution by $6 million, bringing the total local share to $93 million.
The proposed project is a three-story replacement of the existing 1968 building, with an estimated total cost of $154.5 million. This cost includes approximately $59 million from the MSBA and $1.6 million in incentives from MassSave.
Project costs will be finalized after the Schematic Design phase is completed in August 2025. Only at this point will the confirmed tax impact for the district towns be known. A favorable district vote on November 4, 2025 is required to proceed with the funding for design and construction.
If approved, construction will tentatively begin in 2027, with the new building expected to open in the fall of 2029. The new high school will be located on the current site, outside of the existing school’s footprint, allowing for the school to remain fully operational during construction. Additionally, in February 2025, Dr. Dillon announced plans for a fourth Chapter 74 program in Electricity, complementing the existing Automotive, Early Childhood, and Horticulture programs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts an 11% growth in the electrical trade between 2023 and 2033, indicating a strong demand for electricians* and appealing career opportunities for students in Berkshire County. An Electricity program would only be made possible by building the new high school.
The Monument Mountain Regional High School Building Committee will host a Community Information Session in the High School Library on June 16, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. A virtual option will be available to attend remotely. During this meeting, updated costs will be presented, an overview of the project will be given, and community members are encouraged to share their comments and ask questions.
For more information and to contact the building committee directly, please visit the project website (https://monumentbuildingproject.org/).
Contact: Peter Dillon, Regional School District, (413) 298-4017 ext. 19, peter.dillon@bhrsd.org
Our Candidates
Submitted by the League of Women Voters
Stockbridge Town Election 2025 Tuesday, May 20, 2025 – 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Last Day to Register to Vote – May 9, 2025
Town Meeting – Monday, May 19, 2025 6:30 PM
Stockbridge SAMPLE BALLOT https://www.stockbridge-ma.gov/media/16426
Select Board – 1 seat open for 3 year term – 2 Candidates running
Jamie Minacci Candidate Statement
My first three years on the Stockbridge Select Board have gone quickly. There has been a tremendous amount of time spent learning about governance, the mechanisms of decision making, as well as the content of the various topics, projects and our current legislative decisions. Still, our Select Board has gotten a great deal of work done. In addition, I have chaired the Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission concerned with very important issues such as dredging and controlling Cyanobacteria Blooms. I have served on the Conservation Commission protecting our wetlands. I want to express my appreciation and gratitude for the citizens of the Town of Stockbridge who believed in my ability to roll up my sleeves and work for the residents. It has been an honor and privilege to work with my colleagues on the Select Board and the capable, hard-working Town Hall employees. I look forward to the next three more years to work for our Town on its many ongoing and important projects. I believe my work ethic, dedication and professionalism provide the necessary skills to continue working for our community. I would like to see our projects through to completion and contribute to a stronger future together.
Lisa Sauer Candidate Statement
I moved to the Berkshires from a rural eastern CT town in 1977 to attend a Jr. College located on the campus of one of the former Great Estates in Lenox. I instantly fell in love with the area’s rural character, the scenic beauty, the small-town life and the cultural resources. Stockbridge is unique. The combination of cultural and natural resources and careful planning/zoning have created a community unlike any other. It is the reason people flock here in the summer. My experience includes the following local boards: Lenox Conservation Commission (co-chair), Stockbridge Cultural Council, Stockbridge Planning Board and currently the Stockbridge Historic Preservation Commission, but never Selectboard. Because the buck stops with them, I want to be part of that final decision-making process.
UNCONTESTED RACES
Planning Board
Peter Barenski, Jr. Candidate Statement
I am a candidate for Planning Board. I have lived in Stockbridge my entire life. Stockbridge is a beautiful and wonderful place to live and has long been recognized as a “quintessential rural New England village” surrounded by cultural and artistic offerings. Sustaining this description as a reality within a changing society is a challenge that requires thoughtful planning. Change is a necessary part of sustainability and meeting evolving needs. The town will have to navigate these needs while keeping in touch with its core values. It is my goal as a Planning Board member to work with residents and board members to achieve that balance. I’m committed to doing the necessary research and educating myself on each project brought before the planning board and to work with the goal of the best outcome for the Town of Stockbridge. I would appreciate your vote for Planning Board.
Parks & Recreation
Linda Barbadoro Candidate Statement
I was driving in my car one afternoon, listening to NPR. Basically, the story said in times of political stress and unknowns, it is time for ordinary citizens to step up and be counted. At that moment, the seed was planted. When I was asked if I’d be interested in running, I said ‘Why not’. So here I am, as green as a newby can be. What makes me qualified is that I love recreational activities from volleyball, to taking my grandchildren to our parks and playing Pickleball. It is my opinion that playing sports and engaging in recreational activities as a community makes you stronger as a society and happier as an individual. So I am glad to step up to this opportunity. I will do my part to help Stockbridge maintain its open spaces, provide places for safe community play. This is one way that I can give back to the town I have lived in for 50 years.
Housing Authority – Barney Edmonds
Board of Health – John Loiodice
Board of Assessors – Doug Goudey
Water & Sewer – Peter Socha
Thank you to the League of Women’s Voters for compiling this.
