The Center for Ecological Technology (CET) is a 501(c)3 organization. Founded in Pittsfield by Ned Nisson in 1976. With his brand-new degree in environmental engineering in hand, he wrote out CET ‘s purpose: “To research, develop, and demonstrate technologies which will have the least disruptive impact on the natural ecology of the earth.”

Fifty years later, with a president of the United States who espouses “drill baby drill,” for the current CET CEO, Ashley Muspratt, the task remains difficult. 

Muspratt focused her remarks on comprehensive de-carbonization and waste reduction and acknowledged that the tasks for “less disruptive impact” now included food production and waste as well as ESG: monitoring of the Environmental Social and Governance impacts of industry. She concluded that she knows meeting CET goals is the work of years with no quick fix.  

Muspratt then introduced the guest speaker, Jonathan Foley, Executive Director, Project Drawdown.org. Foley spoke about the impact of our food production and food waste on the environment.

It was a shock to learn we throw out 30 – 40% of our food. Shocking because it is a huge amount of waste to dispose of and because it is done within the context of people in our country without enough to eat.

It was thought provoking to learn that worldwide, 38% of all land on earth is farmland and that the pollution from farming outstrips that of fossil fuels.

To learn more about the history of CTE, click  this essay.  To hear Foley’s speech click  access to the recording 

Notes from the Select Board (SB), Public Hearing on Elm Court, April 9, 2026, Hybrid meeting

Special Permit — Continuation of the public hearing to consider the application of Vanderbilt Berkshire Estate, LLC (VBE) for the property of Linda Susan Law, Trustee of The Linda Susan Law Trust (Elm Court) located at 310 Old Stockbridge Road. The applicant is requesting authorization, pursuant to Section 6.1.2 of the Zoning Bylaws to allow the extension, alteration, reconstruction or change of use of a preexisting nonconforming barn, and pursuant to Section 6.1.2, 6.6 and 6.31 of the Zoning Bylaws to amend the existing special permit. The property is in the R4 zone.

The evidentiary portion of the Public Hearing was closed at the end of the March 26, 2026, meeting. All that remained at this meeting was for the SB to deliberate and vote.  At the conclusion of the public hearing, SB approved the application of Vanderbilt Berkshire Estate with the following conditions:

1. Reconstruction of a preexisting nonconforming barn was approved provided the new one is no more nonconforming.
2. All previous permits (for example the 2014 special permit) and other drafts were incorporated.
3. Subject to Building Inspector and other Town bylaws unless otherwise exempted. For example, must adhere to the 35’ height restriction required by bylaw
4. The land indicated to be preserved will have an official CR (Conservation Restriction) placed on it and overseen by an authorized body.
5. The Munsee Band of the Mohican Nation will have access to the land for investigation of historic relics and human bones. If relics or bones are discovered, then the construction can continue but a certificate of occupancy cannot be issued until proper conditions are met. At another point, it seemed SB members implied they could “stop work.” See editor’s note.
6. There are two clearings (or meadows) one to the right of Elm Court (as you face the building) and the other to the left. Outdoor entertainment was limited to the meadow least visible from the road as marked on the plans. No amplification of music on the exterior is allowed
7. Phased construction, that is, restoration of Elm Court and conversion into a hotel will precede new construction of the 38 houses unless a bond is given by the owner for the entire cost of completion of the restoration.
8. Any change requested after this approval is subject to a formal proceeding to amend the approved plan.
9. The Affordable Housing Trust (AHT) will receive a total of $1.2 – 1.7million in 4 payments per the Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw. (See explanation in SU FYI)
10.  38 residences on the exterior of Elm Court will be limited to 7500 square feet each. The 7500 square feet will include any exterior structure that is covered and any exterior kitchen even if uncovered.
    • The 38 residences will be limited to 4 bedrooms. The Attorney for the applicant asked Town Attorney to consider more bedrooms, but that was declined as a density issue. The Chair explained more bedrooms, more people.   Even if only one person per bedroom, then 38 residences is 152 people – 5 bedrooms is 190. The Chair explained, that could also mean more cars.  The SB voted that the maximum number of bedrooms remain at 4. The Chair, joined by member Marsden, expressed the opinion that they had compromised enough and the vote was unanimous to limit the number of bedrooms to 4.
    • The 38 must all be residential and individually owned – none owned by the hotel.
    • They can be rented but not through any Internet business (Examples: Expedia or VRBO or AirBnB) but only through the hotel.
    • The last issue raised at the March 26, 2026, meeting involved the number of houses to be approved.  SB members expressed the following opinions: Marsden 18 house; Cardillo 38, and Minacci 28. However, at this meeting, the issue of number of houses was not further discussed. Editor’s note: Number 5 was confusing. For example, wouldn’t construction disturb the ground more than a Certificate of Occupancy?  Does the tribe have the power to stop work or not? SU will seek clarification from the Town Administrator