Present:

• Patrick White, Chair
• Chuck Cardillo
• Jamie Minacci
• Michael Canales, Town Administrator
• Attendees named as they speak

1. Chair invited public comment
   1. Steve Fradley asked about progress on the Cat and Dog Fountain. Canales answered that it was slowed when discovered that the foundation under the basin had crumbled — should be completed this fall
   2. Eric Tarlow pointed out that as you cross Main Street onto Pine Street there is a dip in the road and wanted Highway Department to fix it
   3. Anita Schwerner wanted to thank the SB for her appointment to Cable Advisory Committee and point out (given the weather that evening) the importance of hybrid meetings. She wanted everyone to know the Governor had just extended hybrid meetings until March 2023
   4. Patty Caya asked about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) bylaw. White said the current bylaw allows ADUs and bylaw may be updated in future
   5. Joseph Newburg was concerned about large dead trees near roads as a looming safety issue. A man from Beachwood said it was a problem in that area; “no way to get out of the way” if tree falls
2. Minutes approved as written
3. Fire engine purchase authorized — estimated life — 20 years
4. Munsee burial ground. White said Town interested in transferring ownership if that is what the tribe desires. Munsee representatives said the most important thing is that the burial ground be maintained and “ground not disturbed”. White motion to authorize Canales to discuss with Tribal Council. Passed
5. Harvesting
   1. White — moved to exempt harvesting from regulations. Harvesting is maintenance and could be exempt. Cardillo opposed, wanted state oversight and permission. Minacci agreed with Cardillo. Motion tabled
   2. Request to leave harvester in the water in September
6. White opened Second Homeowners meeting
   1. Thank you to Town and Hugh Page for upgrades to Town Beach and kayak racks
   2. Wish list — Challenging roads in lakeside communities especially in winter (ice)
   3. Wish list — could there be pathways to the Town Beach
   4. Jane Karin — thank you for hybrid meetings, applaud Parks and Rec Committee for additional kayak racks, and upkeep of cemetery
   5. Jay Dubner — opposed to Residential Tax Exemption (RTE)– penalizes second homeowners; “pennywise and pound foolish” because second homeowners would then not give to library and Tanglewood
   6. White said there is a classification hearing in October on RTE — all invited to attend. Everyone who lives here pays taxes and the “penalty” could be as little as an $700 increase per year ($300 per tax billing period) on a $600,000 house. White pointed out the taxes pay for necessary maintenance and improvements in Town
   7. (Unclear who was speaking) said the Finance Committee opposed RTE
   8. Cardillo — complex — should be discussed
   9. Patty Caya — strongly opposed to RTE. Caya frames issue as Town residents receiving a benefit and second homeowners a penalty. Caya said it will create ill will
   10. Barbara Kornfield — wanted the October Tax Classification meeting on Zoom, and she wanted to know “average [increase in taxes] for second homeowners” broken out. White said the meeting will be on Zoom, and a chart will be made.
       (Please see chart at end of this issue created by Michael Canales at White’s request)
   11. Red Lion Corner: what’s happening? Studies were done. Best solution deemed to be the painted oval in the middle if accepted at a Special Town Meeting (perhaps in August) it would be raised so cars will drive around it as intended not over it. Also plan shrinks intersection deemed to be too wide. Kornfield asked if intersection is dangerous. White answered “NO” not identified by Commonwealth as dangerous — very few accidents
   12. Conversation returned to RTE — Caya felt RTE discriminatory — second homeowners place no burden on schools, can’t run for office so everyone pays fair share — no exemption by residency
   13. White explained this is state law and Stockbridge can’t change it
   14. Karlin called new tax law “social engineering”
   15. Dick Jaffee — how can anyone justify automatic exemption by virtue of full or part-time residency?
   16. White real estate tax by assessment for example full time resident with house over $1.6 million does not benefit from RTE and second homeowner with house assessed at $600,000 will only pay $700 more per year — White asked all to be involved — come to meetings and be part of decision-making process
7. The Stockbridge Cane
   1. Steve Fradley told story of Stockbridge Cane (See articles in this issue and the August 1 issue of SU)
   2. Jorja Marsden explained it was given to oldest citizen. At times not given back. However now it is in Town Offices and Marsden suggests that it be permanently there in a shadow box and the recipient be given a certificate.
   3. White moved that Marsden chair this and the scholarship funds (generated by an option on tax bill) — passed
8. Bob Leveret and Ken Gooch on Ice Glen
   1. Ash trees injected but process slow — White asked can we insist on faster method? Gooch said yes if put it in the Request for Proposal (RFP)
   2. Treat again next year, add bark spray, and then go on a 3-year cycle
   3. Cardillo moved to adopt this plan — motion passed
9. Canales
   1. Averic bridge done — move onto second Averic bridge
   2. Tuckerman bridge — foundation ok therefore $2million approved should cover cost
10. Jay Bikofsky discussed the Affordable Housing Trust Fund
    1. Bikofsky chaired the committee that established the Trust documents and the initial funds — ($100,000/year and $125,000/year for two years from the Community Preservation Committee – CPC). That work is done
    2. Now the Trust will be quasi-private and be operated by a seven-member board — five of seven will be primary residents
    3. White asked that anyone interested in serving write a letter to SB
    4. The Board may expand current low-income housing at Pine Woods or Heaton Court, or buy land, and build more.
    5. Decisions guided by Housing Production Plan — to be completed by Board
    6. Board will be audited and monitored
    7. Motion to accept Trust Fund documents — passed
    8. Motion to accept CPC grants — passed
11. One day liquor licenses for Chesterwood, Handcrafted (at train station), and Berkshire Botanical Garden passed
12. One day extension of closing time from 11 – 11:30 for a wedding at Wheatleigh passed
13. Question about “abuse of property” at an Airb&b
    1. Ad corrected
    2. Keeping track of noise complaints — they have decreased
    3. Enforcing care of property where feasible
14. Fire Chief’s contract accepted

Meeting adjourned

Editor’s note: 1. The Governor’s extension allows voting members to participate via Zoom and other amendments to the Open Meeting Law established during COVID19 2. The intention of the oval painted in the center of Red Lion corner is that every car keep the oval on the left as they proceed and as they turn. NOT drive over it. This slows traffic and creates “lanes” so more cars can proceed more safely 3. The perks in any state in the USA are always granted to the citizens of the state only. 2. Please see chart prepared by Michael Canales in response to White’s request giving examples of tax increase/decrease under RTE