Hello Carole,

I can’t attend tonight’s selectboard meeting.

However, I wrote to the Board before last week’s meeting to ask for an

explanation, “in words I can understand,” why there’s no public comment at their Board

meetings. I said this is especially significant in the Town that is home to Rockwell’s Four Freedoms

displayed in the Selectboard’s conference room. This was before they announced it would be discussed this week. Unsurprisingly, I have not received a reply. So please feel free to speak for me in favor of public comment at all meetings. You may also ask why citizen memos to the Board go unanswered.

GRRRRR.

Thanks,

Laura Flint

From: Town of Lee

To: Stockbridge Updates

FYI

As required by law, at the beginning of every meeting we announce that the meeting is being audio and video recorded… That’s it. We move on to discussing (if necessary) the minutes of the previous meeting and approving them. We then open up the meeting for “Public Comment”, where anyone can bring forward any concerns they might have. Then, on to the main agenda, which has been duly posted so that everyone is aware of Town business at hand.

At the conclusion of discussion of each agenda item, we give the public the opportunity to offer input/opinion/comment before the SB votes. I think it’s called democracy. My understanding is that it is a quaint, old New England tradition. Seems like the neighborly thing to do. Not complicated and it works.

From: Town of Lenox

To: Stockbridge Updates

FYI

In the CTSBTV tape of the Finance Committee meeting, the Chair is shown informing the public that CTSBTV is taping the meeting and that he sees Clarence Fanto in the audience who may be taping as well. He then asks, anyone else? He then moves to minutes and agenda.

Editor’s note: a CTSBTV recording of the GB SB meeting shows the chair reading a longer statement something like Stockbridge’s but not exactly.

Carole,

I’m very sorry but I have to be away for part of the weekend and just do not have time to write an article for SU on short notice. I would be very happy to write something for a future edition and I could include both the duties of the TW as well as ways I am trying to integrate suggestions and concerns from Town Commissions and individual citizens. One example of this is active collaboration with the Agricultural/Forestry Commission to submit an application for Stockbridge to be designated a Tree City USA. I am also working closely with the Parks Commission to remove dangerous trees and consider new areas for plantings. I would be very happy to write a brief article about these activities.

As for National Grid, they are currently implementing a Hazard Tree Pruning/Removal Survey that was prepared by a consulting arborist and approved by a previous Tree Warden. This work is important for both safety reasons and to help avoid extensive power outages.

Thank you for your good work,

Lisa Bozzuto

To Laura, Lenore, and others who asked:

I am glad public comment is restored.

My only “but” is that I remain concerned about giving name and address as a requirement to speak — please insist on protecting yourself. Cameras mitigate against giving one’s address. The median age in the Commonwealth is 40+; median age in Stockbridge is 60+. It is unwise for anyone standing in front of a camera, looking 70 or 80, to state their address in Stockbridge. If I were a house breaker, I would watch CTSBTV as take notes. Besides, In the Constitution, speech is not a right contingent upon anything. I want everyone to protect themselves.

Carole

Yes, I want to check on that…

I agree! Thanks Carole….

Laura Dubester

Hi Carole –

After the back and forth discussion I got the impression that Name and Town was going to be sufficient. Let’s see if that works at the next meeting.

Lenore Sundberg