Follow up…
Carole,
Below is the response from EPA.
John Loiodice, of Water and Sewer [S&W], tells me Don Schneyer [Chair] recalls no well condemnations that led to the extension of HWW [Housatonic Water Works] into the furnace district. On the other hand, S&W maintains the HWW lines for free, and no one seems to know how such a “sweetheart” (S&W’s term) deal was put in place. I intend to search the library historical section. I searched the Berkshire Middle Registry for deed restrictions by DEQE or EPA but there are none.
The [Board of Health] BOH does not provide testing services for PCBs and has no authority at present regarding such contamination. I see no reason for BOH to prohibit well drilling. It looks like people will have to do this at their own risk and find a private agency to test for PCB contaminants.
We are currently looking at another issue in town where someone has complained that Roundup had been used by a neighbor. The complainant is concerned that the nearby drinking water wells were contaminated. Again, BOH has no authority here, but I am hoping to bring it before the BOH after I do a little more research, with the goal of drafting a letter to DPH and DEP asking for assistance regarding testing for contaminants.
Charlie
Editor’s note: Dr. Charles Kenny is Chair of BOH
Good morning Dr. Kenny,
We have coordinated with Mass DEP’s Western Regional Office and below is our combined response to your inquiry.
The only information the EPA Consent Decree/Superfund Team has on potential contamination of drinking water sources in Stockbridge or near Rising Pond comes from the Town of Great Barrington. See attached May 9, 2018, letter from Jennifer Tabakin, Great Barrington Town Manager. The letter from Ms. Tabakin includes references to several reports, including the “Motts” reports, which investigated potential drinking water sources. You may want to check with Great Barrington and Stockbridge Town officials to see what other records they have.
EPA does not have any knowledge about any contamination in the 1970s that you reference below, or what the contaminants may have been.
EPA typically does not regulate or prohibit well drilling and specifically for this situation, superfund team is unaware of any prohibitions in Stockbridge or Great Barrington. Well installations are typically regulated by local officials or the State. We checked with Mass DEP’s Western Reginal Office and their response is below:
We do not have any information that directly addresses the questions asked by Dr. Kenny. We are not aware of any prior restrictions or well condemnations in the area. Generally, speaking this timeframe predates the existence of the MCP and it would be unlikely that DEP (DEQE then) would have been involved with private well issues.
We don’t foresee a reason for EPA to sample the groundwater in Stockbridge to implement the Rest of River cleanup or for any other regulatory reason. We don’t expect that the limited Rest of River remediation proposed for Great Barrington and Stockbridge will have any effect on the underlying aquifer.
Best,
Kelsey
Editor’s note: Kelsey Dumville is Lead Region Coordinator, U.S. EPA Region 1 Boston, MA
Hi Carole,
We cover the Select Boards for all five towns, but everyone likes to do it differently. Sheffield and Lenox have no Zoom camera or hybrid option, so we send videographers. Great Barrington and Stockbridge self-record and send us their recordings. Lee does have a zoom camera, but we continue to send a videographer.
Stockbridge does not send their meetings quickly and we often must nudge them. We post all recorded meetings from Stockbridge even though we are only required per our contract to provide select and school committees. If Stockbridge residents are having to wait more than 24 hours, they should bring this up with Michael or Patrick. If we had access to the cloud we could download almost immediately but we cannot because that cloud also contains executive sessions, so we are at the mercy of them sending the recording. If you have any other questions, please let me know. Thank you.
Rich Frederick
Editor’s note: Frederick is the Executive Director CTSB TV
Carole,
Our meeting was another life experience that was never expected when I first devoured your book in the 80’s. So much is embodied in the great houses one can find fulfillment in many ways by being associated with them. The story attached gives some insight to a similar experience that shows how what can seem impossibly out of reach can happen. Thank you so much for your time and I hope to gain more from our association.
Lou Schroeter
Correspondence and Correction
Stockbridge Updates reported that the 37 Interlaken application for a special permit would require unanimous approval from SB. If not approved, it could appeal to ZBA. If ZBA rejected it, an appeal could go to land court. That may have been incorrect, so SU wrote to Tom Schukler, Chair, ZBA as follows:
Good morning, Tom, Stockbridge Updates reported re: 37 Interlaken and I might have gotten it wrong. Could you correct me?
Thank you Carole Owens
Tom,
Thank you for your response. I would love to go to Town Counsel, but only committee, commission, and board chairs have access to Town Counsel. I can ask the Town Administrator and he can ask Town Counsel.
Carole
Canales told SU that it could NOT be appealed to ZBA, but could, within 120 days of posting the SB decision could be appealed to the Land Court, Housing Court or Superior. Schuler then amended his response and wrote, “I think Mike is right. Tom” Canales appeared to be wrong in only one regard, Housing Court did not appear to be a choice.
The Commonwealth wrote:
“In Massachusetts, a special permit appeal must be filed within 20 calendar days of the decision being filed with the Town Clerk. The appeal can be filed in the Superior or Land Court.”
Carole,
Here’s news about the Boston Event [a rally in Boston opposing General Electric’s plan for the Housatonic River Clean up and asking GE to “Do the Right Thing”] The Globe article should be out later this week but here is what we have so far…
https://www.berkshireargus.com/noted-lee-activists-take-their-fight-against-a-pcb-dump-to-boston
Please be advised that the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has determined that e-mail could be considered a public record. (M.G.L. ch. 66, § 10)
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender.
Chris
Editor’s note: Chris Brittain is Town Administrator, Lee
Dear Chris,
It was a great event and that is super press coverage.
Congratulations, Carole
Photo: Dana Goedewaagen
Carole,
This might be interesting for S’bridge Updates readers and the Town to pursue. Georgetown has used CPA funding in conjunction with Georgetown Peabody Library to digitize the Town’s Historic Annual Reports, and many of the local newspapers. They are available to the public in a searchable database at: http://box2.nmtvault.com/ResCarta-GPL/jsp/RcWebBrowse.jsp
Christine Rasmussen
Hi Carole,
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BPRC) is inviting applications for the Home Modification Loan Program. It is a state-funded no-interest loan program to provide modifications to those in need of accessibility improvements to their homes. Eligible applicants include homeowners and landlords (with fewer than 10 units) with necessary changes needed to their homes to keep disabled or elderly family members in their own homes.
Possible modifications include bathroom and kitchen modifications, ramps, stair lifts, platform lifts, sensory/therapy spaces, hard-wired alarm systems, fences, accessory dwelling units, and more. Please note that this is not a home repair program; repairs to roofs, windows, and heating are not eligible. All work must be completed by licensed and insured contractors.
For property owners, 0% interest loans range between $1,000 and $50,000. No monthly payments are required, with repayment is required when the property is sold or transferred. If you own a manufactured or mobile home, 0% interest loans range from $1,000 to $30,000. All applications are subject to HMLP eligibility requirements.
For more information, please visit www.cedac.org/hmlp or contact Brett Roberts, Senior Planner at HMLP@berkshireplanning.org.
Hi Brett,
In another email, you said 2% interest loans. Folks interested should get in touch and you can clarify. Thank you for sending this.Carole
