- The auditors reported to the Finance Committee and gave Stockbridge an excellent report.
- Town Administrator Michael Canales brought four additional items to the Finance Committee for consideration
- The Regional Animal Shelter was inspected by the state and there are mandatory repairs.
The shelter is in Lee on Route 102. The repairs are estimated at $72,900 and Stockbridge’s share is $14, 406.
FC reviewed and recommended
- Stockbridge had an Opioid Fund formerly in a special account and dispersed from time to time. New state rules require that money to be placed in Free
Cash and dispersed annually to eligible health care facilities. Currently there
Is $12,904 to be dispersed
- Stockbridge Stabilization Fund has $2,330,000 in it. In Free Cash there is $700,000. Disposition of funds to be voted on
- Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad (SBAS) request
A letter was sent to the Select Board requesting $25,000 for operating expenses. SBAS serves 17 houses in the Furnace District of Stockbridge
The request is for one year only as Canales anticipates Stockbridge Fire and Rescue will be up and running after that. However, at the SB
meeting, SBAS CFO Patrick White requested an additional $25,000 toward the purchase of an ambulance. The SB approved both to be added
to the Warrant for vote of the Town in two separate articles.
FC member, Rich Bradway, was concerned that $25,000 sounded like an arbitrary amount and wondered if it could be broken down. FC member, Roxanne McCaffrey, also preferred there be more detail or a breakdown.
FC member, Steve Shatz, said the organization (SBAS) has been mismanaged for years and these articles should not be recommended by the FC until after Great Barrington votes at their Town Meeting (to see what they awarded). Shatz continued by saying that a $25,000 as a capital expense is so little, because, in the FC’s calculation, an emergency vehicle can cost as much as $800,000. He concluded that the request for $25,000 for operating expenses if it is only for one year was “okay.”
Diane Rous said it was a comparatively small amount of money and we wanted the coverage in an emergency.
In answer to McCaffrey, Canales reported that they responded to 49 calls from the Furnace District – that would be $500/call. Everyone felt that was very reasonable. Canales also said SBAS also receives reimbursement per call from other sources. Bradway and Jim Balfanz said SBAS was “too disorganized.” Again, Shatz commented that they did not have ability to “sustain long term.”
Editor’s note: 49 calls in the Furnace District if only for the 17 Stockbridge houses would be almost 3 calls per household in one year.
