On the evening of February 28, a story unfolded in West Stockbridge that all South County towns should understand. The West Stockbridge Select Board also serves as the Rent Control Board. The new owner of Mill Pond Trailer Park came before them for approval of a rent increase from $241 per month to over $700 per month.

That eye-popping increase is similar to that asked by Housatonic Water Works. What justifies so gigantic an increase on rents or rates? Interestingly, the basis for an increase is the same whether rents or rates. The basis on which the right and amount of increases are evaluated based on the following: One is affordable housing, and the other is a necessity of life. Increases in the Mill Pond rents are based upon carrying costs (purchase price/mortgage), capital improvements (whether potable water or passable roads), operating costs, and owner profit. The total costs fairly and properly determined is divided by the number of users and then by twelve months. The result is the monthly rent.

So what?

The margin for profit goes up as the value of our Berkshire property rises. It is rising exponentially. We are attracting investors from outside our communities. They are focused on maximizing the bottom line. If we want to preserve community, the character of our Berkshires, decency for all our residents — rich and poor — old and young — then we are going to have to fight for it. In West Stockbridge and Housatonic and Becket and Lenox and over the county. So suit up. 

They come with lawyers and accountants and experts. What can we do? We can help each other. For example, three towns, Great Barrington, West Stockbridge, and Stockbridge came together as Housatonic faced a large proposed water rate increase. A member of our Select Board stepped up as West Stockbridge is considering a rent hike at Mill Pond. We can do this.