Carole,
My husband Mike and I had so much fun with you and Patrick eating lobster at Stockbridge Bowl.
I also want let you know that we purchased four peaches at the Stockbridge Farmers’ Market earlier in the week. They were best peaches I’ve ever tasted in my life.
Brenda Arsenault-Carr
Dighton, MA
Dear Carole,
I became concerned after not being permitted to turn on my Zoom video when speaking at a Select Board meeting. I don’t always keep the video on but prefer to turn it on when I am speaking. I followed up with an email to Michael Canales our town administrator and so as not to take it out of context I am forwarding the email exchange that we had about the newly adopted select board practice of not allowing participants to turn on their video. Will this apply to all committee meetings? Please note that e-mails to and from municipal officials are considered public records by the Secretary of State. Confidentiality should not be expected.
How do you feel about this?
Anita Schwerner
—-Original Message—–
From: ANITA SCHWERNER
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2025 3:38 PMy
To: Canales, Michael
Subject: Zoom video
Hi Michael,
Are Zoom participants on Select Board meetings permitted to turn on their video?
Thanks in advance for your response,
Anita Schwerner
On Aug 15, 2025, at 11:08?AM, Canales, Michael wrote:
?Hi Anita,
No. While I have enabled the security setting that prevents participants from turning on their video themselves, we do not actively permit it during Select Board meetings. This security measure was adopted after two prior public meetings were disrupted by the display of pornographic images. I have also recommended to the secretaries of the board that they consider enabling this setting instead of using the default, which allows participants to turn on their video.
Thank you for your understanding.
Michael J. Canales
Stockbridge Town Administrator
P.O. Box 417
50 Main Street
Stockbridge, MA 01262
Email: TownAdministrator@stockbridge-ma.gov
Phone: 413-298-4170 ext 100
Please note that e-mails to and from municipal officials are considered public records by the Secretary of State. Confidentiality should not be expected.
—–Original Message—–
From: ANITA SCHWERNER
Sent: Friday, August 15, 2025 11:35 AM
To: Canales, Michael
Subject: Re: Zoom video
Michael,
I don’t understand or agree with this. Why now? Weren’t those incidents several years ago? When was the last incident? Video can be shut down quickly if something is inappropriate. It seems like your actions are overkill and demonstrate a lack of trust in the public. No public comments, no video, what’s next?
Anita Schwerner
Begin forwarded message:
From: “Canales, Michael”
Subject: RE: Zoom video
Date: August 15, 2025 at 3:12:35?PM EDT
To: ANITA SCHWERNER
Anita,
The most recent incident occurred during a Finance Committee meeting in spring 2025, not “several years ago.” While participants can continue to watch meetings live and provide input during designated public comment periods on agenda items, the practice of disabling participant video was adopted to prevent disruptive incidents and protect the integrity of the meeting.
I respectfully disagree with your assessment that this measure is “overkill” or reflects a lack of trust in the public. It is not a matter of mistrust, but a reasonable safeguard informed by actual experience, including instances where inappropriate content was displayed during public meetings. The ability for participants, including yourself, to be visible on video is not essential to meaningful participation, and this approach ensures meetings proceed without interruption while still allowing full public access and engagement.
Michael J. Canales
Stockbridge Town Administrator
P.O. Box 417
50 Main Street
Stockbridge, MA 01262
Email: TownAdministrator@stockbridge-ma.gov
Phone: 413-298-4170 ext 100
Please note that e-mails to and from municipal officials are considered public records by the Secretary of State. Confidentiality should not be expected.
