David Potter, designer, and Eliabeth Goodman, attorney, requested a special permit for 6 Maple — a preexisting nonconforming house. The prior lot coverage was 8%, the proposed coverage will be 9.6%, under the 10% limit. The new house will be less nonconforming and it will not exceed the 35 ‘height limit. Approved.

Designer Potter and attorney Lori Robbins requested a special permit to build additions on 62 Lake Drive. Even with the additions, it will occupy the same footprint — approved.

Alcohol licenses for Berkshire Botanical Gardens approved.

Don Chabon and Sally Underwood Miller approved for seats on the Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission. SBSC now has a quorum and can meet. For anyone interested, two seats remain open.

The rest of the SB meeting was about the budget. 

Canales said there will be costs for Highway Department equipment. The equipment could be replaced all at once or over time. 

Highway Superintendent Hugh Page said he understands it is a year when rising costs are hitting all at once everywhere in town.

Canales spelled out the cost benefits of borrowing versus using free cash — the cost of borrowing (as interest rates rise) and the problem of spending down reserves. He also talked about the relative costs of waiting to replace, for example, the cost of interim repairs of old equipment and the rising costs of new equipment versus a large expense in one year. 

Editor’s Note: Stockbridge has money in OPEB, dedicated funds, free cash and an excellent credit rating for borrowing so these are choices not crises. However, how we make them is important for the future of our village.