Present:

• Roxanne McCaffrey, Chair
• Patrick White
• Chuck Cardillo
• Michael Canales, Town Administrator

1. Public Hearing: 7 Partridge Way; Sally and Robert Hecht would like to add a family room of 14’x16′ (224 sq ft) to a house of 1267 sq ft. If they did, they would be over the allowed lot coverage by 10%. Building Inspector Ned Baldwin sent the Hechts to the SB for a special permit. SB denied it. Canales explained they could go to Zoning Board of Appeals to have it overturned or White suggested they reduce the size of their screened porch or the proposed new room by 29 sq ft.
2. Katie Keenan from BFC consultants discussed the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program (MVP) which grants money and technical assistance. Grant amounts available statewide were approx. $22,000,000 in 2021.
3. Keenan also went over Stockbridge survey results:
   1. Top concerns — inland flooding, precipitation extremes (snow or rain), severe storms and temperature rising.
   2. Impacts on natural and cultural resources, vulnerability of senior population, development pressure, infrastructure, and resilience of land use and local government.
   3. Actual concerns: 76% re trees falling; 70% re power outages and no backup generators; 41% re private wells; 33% re home maintenance and repair; 40% re weatherization; 33% re HVAC efficiency.
   4. 85% want to remain in Stockbridge; 42% want better health care; 35% want services at home; 35% want better transportation.
   5. Solutions: 54% want senior housing near downtown; 52% want affordable housing; 57% want integrated housing; 50% want accessory dwellings.
4. White was concerned that Stockbridge is 60% second homeowners and state and federal funding is awarded based on fulltime population so that Great Barrington received $2.2 million and Stockbridge received $500,000. What can be done about that?
5. White also wanted to discover what are the impediments when 85% want to stay in Stockbridge and only 64% report they are able to stay. What would help the 64%?
6. Red Lion Inn reported a change in officers, owners, and management.
7. November 18 minutes approved. October 14 minutes once more delayed as corrections requested by White not made.
8. There is a statewide opioid settlement with Johnson and Johnson — does Stockbridge want to sign on? Approved
9. All above ground lighting (which means lighting where the wires as well as the fixtures are above ground) will be purchased and maintained by Stockbridge at a great savings. Below ground lighting will remain with National Grid. Approved.
10. White thanked Laura Dubester and the Green Communities committee — Pat Flinn, Buck Smith, Miles Moffatt, Town Administrator Michael Canales and Police Chief Fennelly.

Meeting adjourned

Editor’s note: Why was Red Lion Inn information disclosed? Is it required or just informational and who are the new owners and managers?