Editorial

Why Oppose the Residential Exemption? Part Two

The Stockbridge Select Board opposed the Residential Exemption by a vote of two to one: Roxanne McCaffrey, opposed; Chuck Cardillo, opposed; Patrick White in favor. Why did two members oppose? Cardillo said he wanted to keep taxes low. McCaffrey said there were alternatives for those struggling, and no one asked her to support it.

True, some pay more tax, and some pay less based on the assessed value of their house. That was always true; if that is unfair, it was always unfair.

How fair is it that the influx of money from outside has raised the assessments of homes to a point that an unprepossessing house now has a tax bill that is out of reach of the owner? How fair is it that the marketplace has become distorted and is harming lower and moderate-income folks? How fair is it that some who work in Stockbridge town offices, the police and fire departments, cannot buy in Stockbridge? Everyone will pay the higher rate, but some will pay a higher rate on a smaller assessed value. On a $1,400,000 million house, the owner will pay an increased amount equal to a weekly dinner out or weekly groceries at Guido’s.

Are there are other viable alternatives for those struggling? With the exemption, taxes are reduced to a manageable amount and paid. When the owner dies or sells there is no lingering obligation. With the Residential Tax Deferment plan, the obligation remains and grows until paid. Say the tax of $5000 annually is deferred. The aging owner on a fixed income can remain in his/her house. However, the debt is growing. Ten years later, the tax owed is $50,000. If the interest is 8%, the amount due is almost $80,000. The children do not have an unencumbered inheritance, they have an $80,000 debt. The aging owner may sell rather than defer to protect his children.

McCaffrey mentioned donations and charitable giving. This is stiff-backed Yankee country. No one is in front of their house with a tin cup. They are inside soberly and silently deciding between paying the tax, buying food, or buying medicine.

Never forget what Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote from his “Little Red Shanty” in Stockbridge. “Better a small right than a large favor.” The Residential Exemption is a small right; charity is a large favor. If we do nothing, the marketplace — not we the people — will shape Stockbridge.

by Carole Owens, Managing Editor

News

Events

1. Live at Tanglewood — There will be a Fall-Winter-Spring season at Tanglewood for the first time. From November 2021 through April 2022, there will be performances at the Linde Center. The events will include four Chamber Music programs, and a collaboration between BSO musicians and WBUR “Circle Round”. Live performances will be followed by video-on-demand BSO Concert Now streams. For more information: www. BSO.org
2. Naumkeag — Winterlights. Please note: Due to uneven and stepped terrain, accessibility is limited at this event. Tickets required. To purchase tickets, go to ww.ttor.org/Naumkeag.
3. Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce is once again purchasing 16 balsam fir trees through the Southern Berkshire Chamber/Wards Nursery for the “Winter Wonderland Walkway” at the Stockbridge Library. All are invited to stroll through a festive walkway of sixteen lit and decorated trees December 4 – January 5, free of charge.
4. Austen Riggs Thursday, November 18, 5:00-6:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
   What Obstructs Addressing the Climate Emergency? Anne Karpf and Sally Weintrobe discuss the Roles of Gender and of Exceptionalism. (CME/CE credits offered) For more information visit education.austenriggs.org
5. This is Shakespeare Week. Watch live stream of local teens perform. Monument Mountain High School presents The Tempest and Stockbridge’s Waldorf School presents Julius Caesar. Thursday at 6:15 and 8:30 on CTSB. There’s more! Go to: Shakespeare.org

News

HVA and Greenagers Assess Stream Crossings

As part of a grant from the Commonwealth’s Municipal Vulnerabilities Program, Alison Dixon of Housatonic Valley Authority and a team from Greenagers assess one of the town’s stream crossings in the photo below. Their goal is to assess all of the town’s more than 100 crossings by June 2022.

News

Notes from the Board of Assessors, November 1, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Gary Pitney, Chair
• Michael Blay, Town Assessor
• Doug Goudey
• Tom Stokes via Zoom
• Tammy Touponce, Secretary

1. The tax rate has been set. It is $9.38 per thousand
2. The tax bills are being printed. Probably, they will be mailed the week of November 8.
3. In the tax bill, there will be an insert or message printed on bill, indicating that you can overpay.
4. As some are hesitant to attend in person, classes required for Massachusetts assessors will be hybrid.
5. Apparently, there are tax rebated for solar panels, but the particulars were unclear.
6. Tax deferments are issued after January 1; the first tax installment must be paid in full.
7. The Payment in Lieu of Taxes program is moving forward. Stokes is rewriting the questionnaire. He will distribute and will follow up with a call or visit.
8. Pitney, Blay remembered Eugene Talbot fondly.

Meeting adjourned

Editor’s note: From the Chair, Board of Assessors, Gary Pitney, “People overpay their taxes so that the excess can go into a fund for folks who are having a hard time paying their property taxes. There are rules and regulations that apply. The major one being your first-half tax bill has to be paid in full or on a payment plan that is current.”

News

Notes from the Agricultural and Forestry Commission November 1 Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Matt Boudreau, Chair
• Lisa Bozzuto
• Shelby Marshall
• Via Zoom: Erik Rasmussen and Patrick White

Also present: Michael Canales, Town Administrator, Chuck Cardillo

1. Minutes of the last meeting accepted as written.
2. Tree City — should Stockbridge become a tree city?
   1. Bozzuto did not see a downside. Upsides include possibly more stature with funders, receipt of the “Urban Forester”, Arbor Day newsletter, and seedlings.
   2. Rasmussen thought there were downsides: gathering statistics and holding public hearing if a tree is to be cut down.
   3. Since the representative from Tree City (Julie) could not attend, the vote was deferred.
3. Canales reported: It is in our bylaws that for the Tree Warden to cut down an otherwise healthy tree, a non-invasive tree, or tree not endangering property, he has to hold a public hearing. Canales pointed out right now there are trees slated to be cut down on Park Street, Rattlesnake Mountain Road, and at the Town Beach. The Tree Warden will hold a public hearing November 5 (see Notes from Public Hearing below)
4. The Chair wanted to collect relevant data into one easy-to-access reference.
5. Chair also wished to change the bylaw establishing a larger, five-member Commission.
   1. A five-member Commission would require the presence of three members (a quorum) present to conduct a meeting and pass measures.
   2. There would be more members available to conduct the Commission’s business and “handle the workload”
   3. A motion was made and passed to request the Select Board to increase the number of members.
6. Bozzuto confirmed that the grant application for funds to inject Hemlocks in Ice Glen was being submitted on time by Canales.

Meeting adjourned

News

Notes from the Planning Board (PB) November 2 — Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Bill Vogt, Chair
• Marie Rafferty, Vice Chair
• Gary Pitney
• Wayne Slosek
• Nancy Socha
• Present via Zoom: Kate Fletcher

Also present: Jennifer Carmichael, Secretary, Attorney Nick Arienti, Patrick White

1. Minutes approved subject to two corrections
2. The changes at 37 Mahkeenac Road were considered “amended plans” rather than new plans. So PB could approve. The measure was approved.
3. Request to change name of road from Stone Ridge Road to Campion Farm Road. Attorney Nick Arienti, on behalf of owner, said it would more correctly reflect the history and facilitate the police and fire departments finding the road. Vote to approve was unanimous of those present.
4. 8 Mahkeenac — out of an abundance of caution submitted to PB although Select Board (SB) is the approving authority. Voted NOT to review plans, they will be presented to SB.
5. Discussion of consultant Jeff Lacy’s visit.
   1. Determined he would visit Stockbridge alone (his request) and report to PB. Of six present, 5 approved, 1 opposed. Fletcher would have preferred accompanying Lacy.
   2. Approved list of properties to suggest to Lacy for his tour: DeSisto School, Stone Ridge development, High Lawn Farm (that portion in Stockbridge), Elm Court, Eden Hill, Kripalu, perhaps Oronoque and/or White Pines, and Camp Mahkeenac.
   3. White suggested that the list should include undeveloped land, and not include Camp Mahkeenac.
6. Discussion of survey of Town residents and their opinions of the proposed NHRPZ and Cottage Era Bylaws.
   1. For the Municipal Vulnerability Survey, a company called BFC was hired (did not say what initials stood for) was hired. PB is considering hiring BFC for their survey.
   2. Socha was concerned about timing — if want to present to Town Meeting, is there time for a survey?
   3. Concern was expressed about the time and money already spent. One member asked, how much has been spent on consultant Lacy? Chair did not know.
   4. White was concerned about issues still not addressed although PB already working on Draft # 8
   5. Concern about density at development on Campion Farm Road. Pitney and Fletcher explained current Stockbridge bylaws have conservation restriction and houses must be built “in envelopes” that assure conserved land surrounding.

Meeting adjourned

Editor’s questions: 1. The BSO/Tanglewood property is not on list although it owns 538 acres in Stockbridge — the land including The Shed, Linde Center etc. In addition, Tanglewood owns many, many acres across the road including the “parking field” and lake front property. The Tanglewood campus may be off list as it is owned and in use, but the land across the street could be developed by BSO or sold for development by BSO. Why not include it for consultant’s tour? 2. SU was thanked for distributing the last BFC questionnaire. Of 211 questionnaires returned over 100 responses came from the SU request. We will be pleased to help again.

News

Notes from Water and Sewer Commission November 2 — Hybrid Meeting

Present:

• Don Schneyer, Chair
• Peter Socha

Also present: Jennifer Carmichael, Secretary; Michael Blay, Town Assessor; Tony Campetti, Superintendent Sewer; Michael Buffoni, Water Superintendent

1. Minutes accepted
2. Campetti reported on Park Street. It appeared folks may have been dumping other water — e.g. from a sump pump — into sewer. A letter was sent asking them to cease and desist, but Campetti saw no change. Next steps will be to notify, visit households, and fine those continuing to violate. It is a fine per day. Then there will be follow up to determine problem repaired.
3. There is tree removal necessary on Park Street (see Tree Warden’s Public Hearing)
4. Buffoni reported
   1. Hydro-flushing will take place within days, residents will receive Robo-call informing them
   2. Work on bridge (Rte. 183) completed soon and work will move to Averic Road bridge.
   3. Tuckerman Bridge requires further analysis before any work can commence.
   4. They discussed excess pipe — purchased but not used — and whether it could be sold to recoup costs.
   5. Water sampling was not done in October, but the last sampling of the year will be in November.
   6. RDA submitted to Conservation Commission. It will be considered at ConCom November meeting and then go out for bids.
   7. Water tanks must be inspected yearly. Buffoni will work with either a fireman or a painter to check the circumference of the two tanks.
5. The Chair recognized Stockbridge Updates and its “special thank you” to Hugh Page.

Meeting adjourned

Editor’s note: RDA is a Request for Determination of Applicability. It is a form alerting ConCom that a project is being planned and triggers a site visit to determine if ConCom has jurisdiction.

News

Notes from the Stockbridge Housing Trust Fund Committee, November 5, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Jay Bikofsky, Chair
• Patrick White
• Nancy Socha
• Tom Sharpe
• Mark Mills

Also present Michael Canales, Town Administrator and Andrea Lindsay

1. Chair reviewed the history of this committee — “refresh as to what happened”.
   1. At the June 12th Town Meeting (Warrant article #20), $100,000 was appropriated for the Housing Trust Fund from the Community Preservation Committee funds.
   2. Now have to set up the Stockbridge Trust Fund per the Commonwealth Operational Manual and the Funds established in Williamstown, Great Barrington, and Lenox.
   3. First step: Declaration of Trust — Chair suggested he and Canales write a draft to submit to Committee.
2. White suggested a multifaceted approach that met the unique needs of Stockbridge. For example: the law only allows assistance given for purchase of affordable housing. Question: is there affordable housing now in Stockbridge or would a multi-faceted approach include building affordable housing?
3. Other unique characteristics of Stockbridge real estate market were discussed. For example, growth in Stockbridge is driven by single family homes not mixed-use developments, and the market is “distorted” by disparity between assessed values of second homes and primary homes.
4. After discussion, it was determined the draft declaration would be written and presented to Committee for approval, and then further steps taken to establish scope and responsibilities of committee, to submit to Town Counsel for approval and then to Select Board for submission to Town Meeting as a new Bylaw.

Meeting adjourned

News

Notes from Public Hearing Friday, November 5, Removal of Shade Trees Zoom Meeting Mark faber, Tree Warden

Pursuant to MGL c87 Section 3, a public hearing will be held on Friday, November 5, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom to consider the removal of the following shade trees:

• Park Street Park — 1 Linden tree, 36 inches in diameter
• Stockbridge Town Beach — 13 maple trees varying in size, 6″ to 28″ in diameter
• 10 Rattlesnake Mountain Road — 2 white birch 14″ dbh, 3 maple 12″-16″ dbh, 7 ash 4″-14″ dbh

The trees identified have been posted for public inspection. Any objections to the removal were submitted in writing to the Tree Warden prior to or during the hearing.

Sadly, the hearing was not posted on CTSB, but our Tree Warden Mark Faber, graciously provided the information as follows:

Hi Carole,

One called in. No one objected, and I signed the okays for the trees at all 3 locations.

Mark Faber

Public Hearing closed

Editor’s note: The reason “dbh” is used as the abbreviation for diameter is that it stands for “Diameter at breast height”.

Perspective

A Special Thank You from Stockbridge Updates

1. To Pat Flinn who, for more than four decades, has labored for Laurel Hill Association, keeping the meeting minutes, organizational history, and LHA properties in good order. If you see her out and about, on a trail or in a garden, making LHA properties neater and prettier than when she found them, wave hi and shout thank you.
2. To Eugene Talbot who worked quietly and effectively for Stockbridge on both the Planning and Select Boards. It is the mark of a good worker and a good man that everyone enjoyed serving with him. Rest in Peace old friend.
3. To Mike Buffoni, Water Superintendent, who, without complaint, kept up the water testing even as the Commonwealth’s demands increased, and the task became more complex and time-consuming. A thank you to Mike is not complete without a doff of the hat to the “USS Minnow” and its generous captain, Mark Viola. Without cost to the Town, time after time, Viola lent his boat for the testing.
4. To Alan and Teresa O’Brient for providing good food and great service in the heart of Stockbridge at Once Upon A Table.

Perspective

Congratulations from Stockbridge Updates:

To Brian Cruey, Director for the Southern Berkshires at The Trustees of Reservations and General Manager of Naumkeag, was recipient of a national award from the Garden Club of America. It was presented by Margot Towl, Ginger Schwartz and Hilary Somers Deely at Naumkeag. The citation read, “With heartfelt appreciation of Brian Cruey’s dedication to the Berkshire landscape and the community. His vision and creativity are inspirational!”

Perspective

Stockbridge History — Moses Barnum acquires land on Yale Hill for a fulling mill in 1778

Traveling back in time from Gary Leveille’s story about the Duryea Mill in Stockbridge [SU, Volume 2, # 21] is evidence for the first mill constructed on that site. 243 years ago, a Mohican widow Hannah Nepaulum sold about 1/3 of an acre for a mill.

{H Nepaulum to M. Barnum — B 13, P 182 (1778) Registry of Deeds, Pittsfield }

Know all men by these Presents, that I Hannah Nepaulum widow of Joseph Wemhewey of Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts Bay Indian woman in consideration of three pounds lawful money, paid me by Moses Barnum of this town, county and state aforesaid Cloathier. The receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge I do hereby give, grant, sell and convey to the said Moses Barnum his heirs and assigns forever a certain piece of land lying in Stockbridge aforesaid and on the East side of the old Mill Brook and as adjoining to said Brook where the saw Mill stood and beginning at the Road where it crosses said Brook and to extend one Rod East from said Brook, then to extend 9 Rods down said, and to be 2 Rods wide at the lowers or South and with the Privileges of the Stream for building a fulling Mill.

TO HAVE and to HOLD, the same to the said Moses Barnum his heirs to his and their own proper use and behoof forever. And I do covenant with the said Moses Barnum his heirs and assigns, that I am lawfully seized in fee of the Premises, that they are free of all Incumbrances, that I have good right to sell and convey the same to the said Moses Barnum to hold as aforesaid, and that I will warrant and defend the same to the said Moses Barnum heirs and assigns forever, against the Lawful claims and Demands of all Persons. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 17th day of June A.D. 1778. Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Jah Woodbridge, Lucy Woodbridge. Hannah Nepaulum and Seal

Berkshire SS: June 17th 1778 Personally appeared Hannah Nepaulum Signer and Sealer to the within Instrument and acknowledged the same to be her free act and Deed before Jah Woodbridge, Justice of Peace

May 11, 1779, Received and Recorded from the Original by Moses Hopkins, Reg.

by Rick Wilcox

Opinion

Town Square: Residential Exemption

A reader, John Hart, kicked off this discussion with his letter to SU in the last issue and now the conversation continues. Join in.

From: Peter Strauss

Like John Hart, I deeply value Stockbridge Updates, am a town resident who wouldn’t benefit from a residential property tax exemption and support appropriate measures to care for the town’s less-wealthy residents. But your editorial about the exemption issue didn’t discuss the inequities the town’s formula for assessing real estate values creates for small lot owners (especially around the lakes), and consequent favoritism for the wealthy best able to support our neighbors. A residential exemption would disproportionally increase financial stress for the town’s less wealthy second homeowners. Like our national taxes, the way in which real estate valuations in Stockbridge protect the wealthy from appropriate taxation is remarkable.

Stockbridge real estate property tax assessments have two components, house value and land value. The town determines the former by individual valuation, and the latter by a formula based on plot location and plot size. Thoroughly reviewing the tax rolls impressed me that (understandably enough given the potential for challenges) house evaluations may be somewhat understated throughout the town. The land valuation formula effectively penalizes all small plot owners, by valuing any acreage above two acres at a uniform $25,000 per additional acre. Markets don’t work that way. A flat, essentially unvarying, addition of about $400,000 per lot to the assessed land value of every lot enjoying lake frontage (whether 40 feet or 400) introduces a further distortion for many.

Applying these formulas to our lakeside home on .22 acres produced a land valuation of about $750,000 — in effect valuing our land at more than $3,000,000/acre. The impact’s no different for other small lot owners around the lake. The real estate market recently made clear how unrealistic this valuation is, when a 0.9-acre lot near ours enjoying much larger frontage sold for under $1.5 million. For a 5-acre lot, adding $400,000 for frontage to about $3,000,000 for the first two acres and $75,000 for the remaining three suggests a total land value of about $3.5 million — roughly the implicit per acre valuation of our 0.22 acres.

Assessor Blay, whose openness and integrity I deeply admire, told me these effects result from state controls. But changing the ratio of house value to land value, and realistically valuing how larger acreage contributes to overall land values, would better rebalance the tax structure, in ways that lessened its present disproportionate burden on the owners of all the town’s small homes and small lots.

Editor’s note: Any taxpayer who believes his assessed value is unfairly high can appeal to the Commonwealth. There are directions online or our Town Assessor can help you.

From: Jonathan L. Stern

I first came to the Berkshires over sixty years ago. My parents rented and later owned a summer cottage in Stockbridge, before they retired to live full-time in Great Barrington. My family and I have owned our own second home in Stockbridge for over a decade. I write in support of the residential tax exemption.

The impact of the residential tax exemption is not in dispute. As Clarence Fanto put it in his October 22, 2021 piece in the Eagle, the exemption “would lower the tax burden for less-affluent homeowners, while increasing bills for most others, especially seasonal residents… the exemption would shift the tax burden to second-home owners and owners who have rental properties but live elsewhere.”

As Michael Wise described the exemption in his thorough and thoughtful analysis in the March 31, 2015 post to the Edge, the exemption would “mak[e] the property tax progressive, shifting its impact from lower-valued homes toward more expensive properties and second homes.” And, as you have put the point, in the November 1, 2021 edition of Stockbridge Updates and most recently in your November 6, 2021 column in the Eagle, the exemption would make Stockbridge “more affordable for lower-income folks, elderly residents on fixed incomes and owners of less-expensive homes. It eases the tax burden on those who need relief the most.”

While my family would not benefit financially from the exemption, I submit to you and to your readers that we would benefit in other equally important, if not more important, ways. Every resident of Stockbridge, part-time or full-time, benefits when the community takes care of those who are “distressed,” to quote Select Board member Patrick White, and who have “fewer resources,” as your correspondent John H. Hart put it in his recent letter in Updates. Every resident of Stockbridge, part-time or full-time, benefits when we help make it possible for the people who work in our community to live in our community.

Every resident of Stockbridge, part-time or full-time, benefits when we come together, again to quote Mr. Hart, “to help each other.” No measure like this is perfect, and I recognize that the residential tax exemption is not without its flaws, again noting Mr. Wise’s thoughtful commentary in the Edge. That said, the balance here favors adoption of the exemption, and I would urge that the town take action to enact it.

From: Barney Edmonds

I am flabbergasted by the recent decision of our Select Board!

Roxanne and Chuck both voted to reject a proposed change to our real estate taxes which would have allowed limited residential real estate tax exemptions for those who qualify. Dismissing the Residential Exemption without discussion, expert evaluation, or a trial run, they seem to dismiss a whole segment of our population — full time residents.

Their primary commitment must be to the citizens of Stockbridge, the men and women who elected them. Rather than worrying about a small tax increase for those who can afford one, they should be working to find ways to ensure our elderly, fixed income, and lower income residents can stay here in their homes.

Patrick voted yes to tax exemptions because he supports not just the idea of helping residents keep their homes but the policies which can help make it happen.

What did the Great Barrington Select Board do when the issue of tax exemptions came before them? Rather than vote it down because they feared change, they voted to hire an outside consultant to advise them.

Without considering the big picture, Roxanne and Chuck seem to be influenced by the old maxim — no new taxes. But this exemption is not a new tax (the Commonwealth has allowed it for half a century). It is a way to help ensure that our tax burden is just, and fair, for all.

The Last Word

Reader to Reader

Carole,

Many thanks for publishing SU as a labor of love and civic gift.

How can we contribute to help with costs?

Laura Flint, with Mike Pelle

Dear Laura and Mike,

Thank you for the complimentary words and thank you for the generous offer. From the first issue, it was important to me that SU be a volunteer effort and, as you say, a labor of love. SU has a simple aim, a simple format, and all for love of Stockbridge. Money confuses the issue (pun intended).

If there ever comes a time when I cannot go on without funds, I will let everyone know, and I have no doubt Stockbridge will step up. For now, SU will be in your inbox, and we welcome your input. For now, we’re good.

Best wishes and thank you again,

Carole

In the last issue, there was an editor’s question as follows: It was mentioned at previous meetings that harvesting could continue into October or even later for a clearer weed-free lake. However, it does not appear that there was any harvesting after the Josh Billings Run Aground. Is that true?

The Chair, Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission (SBSC), answers:

Yes Carole,

Last round of harvesting was prior to race. This was a town Hall decision not a Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission decision.

Additionally: The overturned harvester is being repaired (Town received insurance money towards this.) The harvester that cut prior to the race will return (hopefully) to Town garage.

NOI [Notice of Intent] for harvesting is for three years, consequently Harvesting will begin again in April/May 2022.

Jamie Minacci, Chair SBSC

Dear Jamie,

Thank you for answering the question posted in the last issue of SU. It is important folks in Stockbridge get answers from our representatives.

Best wishes,

Carole

Dear Carole,

Recently the Tri-Town boards of health from Lee, Lenox, and Stockbridge voted to continue the directive issued this past September that instructs people how to manage social and economic behaviors so that the current epidemic can be controlled. The boards charged the Tri-Town Health Department with clarifying some of the language. Let there be no doubt, the boards are not ordering anyone to do anything. What the boards are doing is being very clear about what needs to be done to win against this unforgiving virus. It is our primary responsibility in an epidemic to educate people.

Those who don’t care about beating the disease can of course ignore what the directive instructs. Why would they want to do this? Incredibly, some misinformed misinformers believe local boards everywhere have formed a conspiracy with a corrupt CDC and the Democratic party to perpetrate a hoax: they don’t believe that three quarters of a million Americans have died from the disease. This filters down locally as the illusion that when you ignore the directive, and nothing bad happens that you can detect, nothing bad happens, period. But, the fact remains that all 750,000 Americans, including over 300 in the Berkshires, who died from Covid-19 got it, ultimately, from someone who was not careful enough about spreading the disease.

Some people are fed up with government ordering them what to do. Don’t try to use that argument to defend not following the directive. The directive tells you how to protect your fellow Americans. It does not order you to feel patriotic; that is up to you.

Charles Kenny MD
Stockbridge Board of Health

Dear Charlie,

Thank you for providing a constant flow of information in this difficult time of COVID-19.

Carole

Carole:

Listed below are current updates for Gould Meadows:

1. Restoration of the Milk Shed, located on Hawthorne Road, foundation was completed this summer by Phil Bock of Lawns and More Landscaping
2. We received a grant from the State’s Community Forest Stewardship department which is used for controlling Invasive plant and shrubs at Gould Meadows. Work was completed by Native Habitat Restoration.
3. We continue to stump-grind the hedge rows over at Hawthorne Road lot.
4. This year the town of Stockbridge helped cut the side banks along Route 183, and it was very much appreciated.
5. This fall we will construct a 70-foot walkway over the wetland area south of the Milk Shed and just past the small bridge that joins the large Mary Flynn field with the Hawthorne Field.
6. We continually spread wood chips on the trails which helps make a safer walk for all trail walkers.

Tim
(R. Timothy Minkler Insurance Broker)

Dear Tim

Thank you for keeping Stockbridge Updates up-to-date and thank you for all you do.

Carole

Hi Carole,

I so appreciate your newsletter.

It keeps the residents of Stockbridge informed without attending EVERY meeting.

Thank you for all your efforts and love the photos!!

Best,

Beth Laster-Nathan

Dear Beth,

Aren’t you nice. SU is a labor of love but no less a labor. Letters like yours ease the task. Yes, the photographers that generously contribute to SU are grand — wonderful — talented and lift every issue.

Best wishes.

Carole

Good morning Carole,

I hope all is well. I wanted to ask about what could be done about speeders on my street? By the time the police are called, these people are long gone. [personal information removed] When I walk my dogs, they speed way above the 20mph limit, scaring my dogs.

James Lawson

Dear James,

Thank you for writing although, the police are the ones who oversee speeding. Perhaps, if they know it is a recurring problem, they might station a patrol car or respond more quickly? It really is up to them. I do know there are residents on other streets with the same complaint.

Best wishes, Carole

From the Stockbridge Updates Inbox — To All the New Subscribers:

Thank you. Last month, the SU inbox was brimming with new subscriptions. It’s grand that folks are interested in a local, very local, newspaper. Welcome, we are so glad you joined us.