According to the bylaw, there are nine members on the Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission (SBSC) — 7 voting and 2 nonvoting. The purpose of SBSC is an advisory group to the Select Board as they work together to protect Lake Mahkeenac and its watershed. SB appointed the following:
Harbor Master Gary Kleinerman, statutory advisor and attendee, non-member.
Two non-voting members: Rachel Rivest and Louis Korman.
Seven voting members: Michael Nathan, Tom Fynan, Laurie Richman, Don Chabon, Jamie Minacci, Daniel Pincus, Sally Underwood Miller,
The SB also considered placing an article on the Warrant that would change two local government positions, town clerk and tree warden, from elected to appointed positions. There was discussion about the possible pros and cons but no vote was taken. Instead, the SB will decide at the next meeting (April 4).
Member Jamie Minacci said these should not be elected positions because they were “too specialized.” Chair Chuck Cardillo said if Town Clerk were appointed, the SB and Town Administrator would have “a little more authority over the position.” Member Patrick White said that if appointed, the positions could be filled by anyone; if elected they could only be filled by town residents. Cardillo explained if approved by the Town at Town Meeting on May 20, then votes for Tree Warden would be void May 21. (Town Clerk is not on the ballot this year).
Discussion relative to the 2025 budget: should the Town take out a five-year note to purchase $580,000 of highway department equipment considering the interest would be approximately $90,000?
Should transfer station permit fees be increased by $15 (from $50 – $65) to increase revenue?
Should Town Lifeguards be eliminated to decrease costs? Decision also related to liability — if beach posted “no lifeguard” Town may have less liability for accident or injury.
Discussion related to the Warrant: should SB place an article on the Warrant to establish a 25-mile-per-hour speed limit on the town’s streets that don’t already have an established regulation. Town roads with speed limits already posted as a result of a speed study will be excluded, and so will state highways. According to Canales, roads that do not fall under the proposed 25-mile-per-hour speed limit by virtue of having had a study establishing their speed limits include Glendale Middle Road, Prospect Hill Road, Mahkeenac, West Hawthorne, Yale Hill, and Lee roads, as well as state routes – Routes 183, 102, and 7.
Unanimously approved.
