Editorial

Looking Back — Stockbridge and Norman Rockwell

Stockbridge was here first then Norman Rockwell came along. We all know what Stockbridge says about Rockwell. Ever wonder what Rockwell said about Stockbridge?

“Here in New England, the character is strong and unshakeable.”

Rockwell may have painted the world as we wished it to be, but first he saw it as it was, and Stockbridge was a place of strong and unshakeable character.

Folks kept themselves to themselves. They paid their bills and solved their problems without complaint. They kept things tidy and up to snuff. They put their backs into it and spent little time looking over their shoulders for a hand or a handout. They knew how to make things, fix things, and knew how to avoid breaking things. They knew which things were necessary to do and did them. They knew which trees made shingle. For more than two hundred years they kept their village safe and sound — well run and well managed. They were smart in a way some folks forgot to appreciate.

Gossip was an evil thing; nonetheless there were no secrets in a village. They just didn’t talk about everything they knew. Of course, the government was another story: no amount of checking-up was too much; no amount of calling-out was uncalled for. Now put those two things together and here’s the conundrum: how do government folks — those elected and appointed — imagine they can work in secret? Makes you think.

Austen Riggs was a well-respected man. He gathered his theories and built his psychiatric center on Main Street, Stockbridge. The world came to his door. Ever wonder what he said about Stockbridge? He said the village and its people were an extension of, a complement to, his treatment plan. Living among them was healthy, he explained, due to their plain talking, plain living, and kindly manners.

To end where we began, Rockwell also said, “I talk as I sketch to keep their [the models] minds off what they are doing in order to capture the most natural expression.”

Rockwell’s model was Stockbridge. He painted it again and again and captured its natural expression. Rockwell paintings are America as we wished it were, and Stockbridge as it was.

Every Thanksgiving, I am thankful for the little New England village I call home.

Correction

From Shelby Marshall: In the last issue, under Agriculture and Forestry Commission, Tammy Touponce was not present, and Chuck Cardillo was. Also, the word “not” was omitted in the sentence: “Since the representative from Tree City (Julie) could [not] attend, the vote was deferred.”

Thank you, Shelby, for reading Stockbridge Updates and sending corrections. Your corrections are made here and on the archival copy at www.stockbridgeupdates.com

by Carole Owens, Managing Editor

News

Press Release: MVP Action Grant

NEWS: Press Release — City of Pittsfield; Towns of Lenox, Stockbridge, and New Marlborough; Housatonic Valley Association (HVA); Greenagers; Trout Unlimited; Mass Audubon; and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission present A Regional Approach to Climate Resilience Through Youth Development, Culvert Assessments, Conservation Organization, and Municipal Collaboration

If you see a crew of Berkshire youth studying bridges and culverts, it’s likely to be the Greenagers Youth Crew. Funded through Massachusetts’ Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant, this regional project assesses the flood risk of culverts and bridges in Pittsfield, Lenox, Stockbridge, and New Marlborough. This two-year project, set to conclude in 2023, involves multiple partners including Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC), Housatonic Valley Association {HVA}, Trout Unlimited, Mass Audubon, and Greenagers.

MVP funds allow the communities to complete road-stream crossing assessment for all their bridges and culverts. Funds also provide each community with a Road Stream Crossing Management Plan (RSCMP), an inventory of each municipality’s road-stream crossings, a priority ranking for replacing culverts, and completing preliminary designs to replace one priority culvert while also providing recommendations for nature-based solutions.

The MVP program has awarded over $65 million in funding and technical support to communities across the state. With this year’s awards, 93% of Massachusetts cities and towns, or 328 municipalities, are enrolled. Created in 2017 as part of Governor Baker’s Executive Order 569, the MVP program pairs local leadership and knowledge with a significant investment of resources and funding from the Commonwealth to address ongoing climate change impacts like inland flooding, storms, and extreme temperatures.

Emphasis is placed on engaging with Environmental Justice neighborhoods and climate vulnerable populations while gathering qualitative data through storytelling and conversation with community elders.

BRPC and municipalities are partnering with local groups and nonprofits to both inform the community about the project and to hear from residents what their greatest concerns are when it comes to flooding and current infrastructure. In addition to community engagement, there is a robust educational component. Through a Natural Resources Damages grant, Mass Audubon and HVA will teach local elementary, middle and high school students about climate change impacts, nature-based solutions for flood resilience, floodplain mapping, and how they contribute to climate resilience. Community members interested in being involved or learning more can contact Courtney Morehouse at BRPC (cmorehouse@berkshireplanning.org).

About COVID-19: Be sensible and be safe during the holidays.

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 and check dates available go to www.ttor.org/Naumkeag.
3. Stockbridge Congregational Church — Stockbridge Festival Chorus Concert “Singing in the Blessed Christmas Season” Saturday December 11, at 4 p.m.
4. Norman Rockwell Museum — See the original Home for Christmas (Main Street at Christmas) and also see the exhibit: Jan Brett: Stories Near and Far
5. Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce — Holiday Events in Stockbridge — Look for special pop-up holiday offerings on Main Street. Visit Winter Wonderland Walkway of 16 lit and decorated trees at the Stockbridge Library, free of charge. Sadly, the annual event, Christmas on Main Street, produced for more than 25 years by the Chamber has been cancelled. For dates and details of holiday events visit www.stockbridgechamber.com
6. Berkshire Botanical Garden — Holiday Marketplace, December 3 and 4; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

News

Notes from the Board of Assessors, November 15, Hybrid meeting

Present:

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

1. Fiscal 2022 tax bills have been mailed
2. Payment due December 15, 2021
3. Applications for statutory exemptions are due in April because total first installment must be paid. However, Blay also said “call in to see if eligible for half of first half”
4. This is also the time to apply to have your assessment reviewed. Again, however, all of the first installment is due.
5. Blay suggested some taxpayers might want to drop payments off at Town Offices as mail delivery may be slow at this time of year.
6. This is a very busy time in the Assessor’s Office: new Record Cards are due (last done 5 years ago), Commitment Book completion has to be done as well as ASCII.

Meeting adjourned

Editor’s notes: SU invited Town Assessor Blay to write a short article about taxes and tax assessments. We hope he does. In the past, we found his explanations clear and concise. In lieu of his article, following are brief definitions: ASCII is American Standard Code for Information Interchange; a Record Card is a Property Record Card (often accompanied by a map) which is one sided and gives details that describe and value the property; the Commitment Book is the permanent record of parcels in the community subject to property tax. It includes the assessment, tax bill, and amount collected.

News

Notes from the Historic Preservation Committee, November 15, via Zoom

Present:

• Peter Williams, Vice Chair
• Pam Sandler
• Chantal Rhind
• Lisa Sauer
• Jorja Marsden

Also present: Bill Sheridan

1. Bill Sheridan presented a request for demolition of an old house. It has been vacant for over 25 years and is in poor condition.
2. Williams researched the house and found no historic record locally or in Commonwealth. It was built apparently in 1840 and served as a general store, paint shop, and residence. Williams concluded there may be no historic significance “some structures just old”. Application granted.
3. Sheridan asked about next step? The Committee will send written statement of their approval to the Building Inspector. Sheridan should apply to him and complete paperwork in order to receive demolition permit.
4. Minutes from October 19 approved as written.
5. Further discussion about 1815 Rectory on Main Street — trim discarded or covered up, siding historically inappropriate. It was old and prominent and now greatly altered. Iterated that letter will be sent to the Building Inspector citing relevant bylaw.

Meeting adjourned

News

Notes from the Select Board (SB), November 18, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Roxanne McCaffrey, Chair
• Patrick White
• Michael Canales, Town Administrator

1. Steve Hayward for National Grid discussed excavation for underground wire on Lincoln Lane. Although National Grid is putting in unground wire, the poles will remain.
2. A concerned citizen wanted to know if her apple tree would be affected. Apparently not — National Grid would go into roadbed, if necessary, not onto private property.
3. SB granted Special Permit for dig with condition that if any shade trees are to be removed, National Grid will return to SB for permission (per Stockbridge bylaw).
4. Meeting minutes for Oct 21 and 28 approved. Approval for October 14 minutes postponed
5. On behalf of Tri-Town Health, Chair Charles Kenny revisited the discussion on how the three towns are charged. White made clear that his question about the percentages was in no way critical of Tri-Town but was exercising his fiduciary responsibility to the Town. Kenny assured him he knew that but just wanted to make sure SB had the information it needed.
6. Canales gave project reports on Averic Road and Interlaken/Larrywaug bridges. Averic is just starting, and Interlaken is completing and will open shortly. The Interlaken/Larrywaug bridge may close again for a week or so in spring.
7. Winter parking ban in effect from 11/15/21 to 3/15/22 — that is, no parking on Main Street from 2 a.m.to 7 a.m.
8. Canales’ contract was accepted.
9. Chris Marsden resigned to accept job with Mass Emergency Management. He was thanked for his service to the Town and wished well.
10. One day Alcohol License approved for Berkshire Botanical Garden fundraiser on December 3 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
11. Thank you to the Housing Authority for its $839.27 contribution on lieu of taxes.

Meeting adjourned

News

Notes from the Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission (SBSC) November 19, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Jamie Minacci, Chair
• Charlie Kenny, Board of Health via Zoom
• Roxanne McCaffrey, Select Board
• John Loiodice, Water and Sewer
• Mike Buffoni, Water Superintendent
• Michael Nathan, Stockbridge Bowl Association
• Gary Kleinerman, Harbor Master
• Jim Wilsz, Tri-Town Health

1. October 15 minutes approved as written.
2. Minacci introduced Stockbridge Watershed memorandum and asked if all had read it. Not all had. Minacci explained they want to work on a Lake Management Plan, and this is the basis for it. The memorandum contains the history of studies done on The Bowl from 1971 to date.
3. Kenny encouraged all to read. Interesting, forms basis for next plan, and demonstrates that a management plan can also have negative consequences if not careful.
4. Loiodice suggested everyone read the memorandum and then SBSC schedule a two-hour meeting to discuss it. Wilsz concurred and also asked for full studies as the memorandum only has summaries.
5. McCaffrey wanted to focus on future.
6. Denny Alsop wanted to look at The Bowl as a whole, meaning the body of water and the water shed (streams and estuaries that flow into the lake.) He wanted to better understand the geology and how water is collected into lake. Kenny said the lake had exceptionally hard water and wanted to know the source of the calcium.
7. Nathan wanted an outline first — where do we want to go? What do we want to accomplish?
8. Again, McCaffrey wanted to focus on a plan for future. She and Nathan met with Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) and felt that is what they wanted: a plan for coordinating tasks and events? Do tasks overlap? For example, as White asked at joint meeting with Conservation Commission and Stockbridge Bowl Association, can we use herbicide and dredge at the same time; can we use herbicides and harvest at same time?
9. Via Zoom, returning to Alsop’s comments, Ron Brouker said he knew from where water entered the north and east sides of the lake. He suggested one contribution to health of lake would be all lake properties have sewers and none have septic systems.
10. Nathan said dredging was mandatory before we lose the outlet, and it becomes wetlands. He said that dredging is removing the silt which is 95% biomass and has been building up for years.
11. McCaffrey returned to the plan NHESP seemed to want: what we want to do and how those tasks and events interact.
12. Buffoni took 37 water samples this month
13. Kleinerman said there were 5900 boats on the lake this season
14. Via Zoom, Kate Fletcher asked if DEP and NHESP work together and have same requirements

Meeting adjourned

Perspective

Prospective

Turkeys celebrating that they survived another Thanksgiving. Video by Jay Rhind

Perspective

A Special Thank You from Stockbridge Updates

1. Community Television South Berkshire (CTSB) reliably provides a public service and has done so for decades. The service is provided free of charge. If they do reach out to us for support, be generous. Happy Holidays to all the good folks at CTSB!
2. Barbara Zanetti, Executive Director, Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce, who for decades led our Chamber quietly and efficiently. Nice to show what a woman in leadership can do.

Perspective

Congratulations from Stockbridge Updates

To Laurel Hill Association, the oldest village improvement society in the USA, on the latest edition of Laurel Leaves. It is filled with the accomplishments of LHA and the donors who helped accomplish them.

Perspective

The Stockbridge Leak

Part One

He got out of the rusted Stockbridge DPW truck in my yard, lit up a cigarette, and said, ‘Dennis, the Town of Stockbridge has an emergency. You see, Dennis, we have a leak. And Public Works took a unanimous vote at our coffee break, me, Gilbert, Red, Bobby, that you are the one to solve it.

‘Dennis, this leak is bigger than anything you can imagine! Some nice little old lady is going to be driving her Volkswagen along and she and her car are going to disappear through the blacktop into a cavern cut by this here leak’. He blew a smoke ring. ‘We may never see her again!’

‘Lake Averic is sinking six inches a day, Dennis, and none of us can find the leak. And we’ve been looking all summer. And we decided, with all your canoeing about, cruising the woodlots, logging off our hilltops, trespassing the estates to pick wildflowers, you might just stumble on our leak!’

‘A water leak’, I sputtered. ‘How would I ever spot a water leak? Those water mains are buried deep underground.’ What was also going through my head was that ‘Clint’ who had teased me since first grade, was asking my help, and for Clint to ask my help, the situation must be dire.

‘Dennis, understand’, he said scuffing the rough gravel drive with one boot, ‘that my having to ask for your assistance, gives me a pain somewheres’. He said that and shifted his weight and muttered, ‘but I’ll get over it’. He got back in the truck. ‘We’re losing two hundred thousand gallons a day. Town Hall has posted a ban; No washing cars, no filling pools, no watering lawns.’

Sunday, a week later, I took the canoe, as usual, up from Park Street on the Housatonic. Eighty yards above the Route Seven bridge, I heard something under the canoe, a hissing sound. I backed off the paddle. The canoe drifted down. I saw it, an underwater geyser of sand shooting up from the riverbed. Amazing! I had found the Stockbridge Leak.

The conclusion of The Stockbridge Leak in the next issue.

by Denny Alsop

Perspective

Winter’s Gift

I love summer in Stockbridge with its cultural bustle, warm breezes, the chance to fire up the grill, and fly-fishing on the Housatonic. Yet every year, right about now, I look forward to the cold days ahead. Not to the cold, per se, but to what the cold brings — the gift of silence that comes with the snow that hushes the landscape, slowing my pace, and quieting my mind.

I recall a day last February, walking alone on Averic Road up to and then beyond the reservoir. Snow was falling vigorously. Large flakes landed on my hat, on my nose and eyelids, on my gloves and boots. Utter silence consumed me. If only for a moment, I felt like I’d hit the mute button on my life and allowed nothing but the sight of the trees, the ice-covered lake, the still, barely-visible gravel road, and the steam from my breath to occupy my senses. I felt like I’d walked into a snow globe, where everything was pristine. I could hear the silence perfectly, as though it were its own symphony.

I take solace in these moments. For me, they are moments of prayer. They allow me to find the stillness inside that I need to find myself and to simply to be myself, unencumbered by all of the distractions that surround us including — yes — all of the wonderful distractions that summer brings. As I ambled past the lake again on my way home, I glanced up and was struck by the vast, pewter-grey sky. It looked like a blanket that provided its own, particular kind of warmth; not so much heat, but certainly comfort. I stood still, allowing the snow to settle on my face, feeling the chill of each flake that would, an instant later, dissolve against my skin.

There is an expression, that silence is the first language of God. These words are attributed to the sixteenth century Christian mystic, St. John of the Cross. I believe these words, for where else could such beauty come from? That silence is the province of winter, especially, a winter in Stockbridge.

by Larry Ackerman

Perspective

Turkeys Celebrating the End of Thanksgiving Video by Jay Rhind

The Last Word

Reader to Reader

Carole,

Although Stockbridge Updates is an attractive, vital and most informative piece, I write today, however, to praise the Berkshire Eagle. The Eagle has one particular op-ed contributor, Carole Owens, who is right on the mark. She always has important, reasoned and unbiased thoughts to share about democracy, our state of affairs, U.S. history. Terrific.

Carl Bradford

Dear Carl,

Thank you very much.

Carole

Carole,

As a new resident to Stockbridge, I am so grateful for Stockbridge Updates. It has been a vital component regarding learning about the town, past and present. Thank you so much for your good work.

I have noticed that my name is spelled incorrectly in the Conservation and Agr/Forestry Commission reposts. The correct spelling is “Bozzuto”.

Thanks!

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

I am so glad SU helped you to get comfortable in your new home in Stockbridge. The spelling of your name was corrected in all archived issues, thank you for letting us know, and thank you for all you do for Stockbridge. (Lisa serves on both the Agricultural and Forestry and Conservation Commissions.)

Carole

Dear Carole,

Thank you for your well-constructed and well-articulated editorial about the Residential Exemption and why it should be adopted. The most compelling parts of your letter were toward the end.

First, the idea that donations and charitable giving might bridge the gap. You write that “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.” Bravo! This is deeply true and reflects a fundamental building block of our town’s identity, which is unlikely to change.

Second, you state, “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.” Indeed, all things considered, it is a small right — one that residents deserve who may be struggling with paying their taxes as well as their grocery bills.

The notion of simply keeping everyone’s taxes “low” is a simplistic argument that ignores the human condition that is present in our community. Let’s be big, as well as smart, and figure out how to implement the Exemption as soon as possible.

Larry Ackerman

Dear Larry,

High praise coming from a writer as good as you are.

Thank you, Carole

Dear Carole,

On October 28, based on a press release from our Town Offices, the Berkshire Eagle ran an article saying Stockbridge Updates got it wrong. It stated that “The Stockbridge Bowl Association and the Town of Stockbridge continue to work cooperatively to ensure the health of the Stockbridge Bowl.”

Public figures may not always like what’s reported but that doesn’t make it “fake news”.

Readers can rely on Stockbridge Updates because reports are accurate; editorials and opinions are identified. Stockbridge is fortunate to have a free online newspaper that includes interesting articles, letters from townspeople, and fantastic photographs. Thank you for all your hard work on our behalf.

Best wishes,

Anita Schwerner

Dear Anita,

Thank you for your kind words and thank you for all your volunteer services to the town.

Carole
[Anita is Chair of the Democratic Town Committee]

Dear Carole,

Your piece today again reminds me how rapidly Stockbridge is losing its’ Institutional Memory; it’s story tellers, history rememberers, and legend installers. It is particularly telling in our local government and on the Boards many occupy.

Gary

Dear Gary,

Oh, I hope not. I hope all who remember and want to tell the Stockbridge story will do so. We will post them all on SU.

Thank you, Gary for all you do.

Carole
[Gary Pitney is Chair of the Board of Assessors and serves on the Planning Board]

by Carole Owens

Analysis

Notes from the Planning Board (PB), November 16, Hybrid Meeting

Present:

• Bill Vogt, Chair
• Marie Rafferty, Vice Chair
• Gary Pitney
• Wayne Slosek
• Nancy Socha

Present via Zoom: Kate Fletcher and Carl Sprague

Also present: Jennifer Carmichael, Secretary, Michael Canales Town Administrator, Denny Alsop, Patrick White

1. Minutes approved as amended. Fletcher mentioned that Open Meeting Law requires documents presented in a meeting be identified.
2. Discussion of consultant BFC’s outline for Stockbridge Zoning Bylaw survey. Many pros and cons — does PB know what its goal is? Will it be unduly time consuming? Is it expensive? The last survey received 211 responses — was that a good response? White explained that a 12% return was good and that 180 of the 211 responses actually came from Stockbridge Updates‘ request for responses.
3. White also mentioned that the results from the last survey will be discussed with Select Board on December 9 — perhaps it could be a joint meeting.
4. Both Sprague and Fletcher thought the results from the last survey would be interesting as it related to housing as does the proposed PB survey. They suggested that the last survey results be discussed at next PB meeting.
5. Vogt said he would prefer waiting for the consultant’s report about his site visit before deciding on a survey.
6. Another public meeting was suggested with specific questions.
7. Finally, there seemed to be consensus to do a town-wide mailing of Draft 8 with a cover letter and questions. Cost of mailing discussed. Method to return answers — by mail? Slosek agreed provided one question would be: should the PB proceed with NHRPZ or drop it? The Chair offered to write a draft of the cover letter for Board consideration.
8. Sites that the consultant will visit were discussed. In last edition, SU suggested adding the Tanglewood property, specifically the property with lake frontage BSO owns across the road from Tanglewood grounds with lake frontage. Sprague seemed to concur as it was a very large tract without any restrictions. Others were opposed. Rafferty said it was unfortunate to mention Tanglewood.
9. The properties on the list are: Highwood (the part in Stockbridge), Stone Hill, Eden Hill, Kripalu, Oronoque or White Pines, Meadow Road, Camp Mahkeenac, Campion Farms, and 37 Interlaken (DeSisto).
10. Canales is revisiting the PB’s relationship with Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

Meeting adjourned

Editor’s note: BFC is a consulting firm that creates surveys, but no indication what BFC stands for.