Editorial

Christmas on Main Street

Christmas as we know it, the trees and wreaths, bells and caroling, gifts and good food, is as much a product of Stockbridge as anywhere else. The makers of the modern celebration were Stockbridge residents: spinster Catharine Sedgwick, German immigrant Charles Follen, and illustrator Norman Rockwell.

In novels and stories, Sedgwick drew an original and indelible picture of rosy-cheeked children, their eyes alight with happiness on Christmas morning. She borrowed from her experiences in New York City and from her Stockbridge celebrations of New Year’s Day.

For centuries prior, celebrating Christmas was forbidden in Massachusetts; caroling was associated with extortion and merrymaking with misbehaving. New Year’s Day was celebrated with food, presents, singing, and games. Sedgwick used those childhood memories to create her fictional Christmas. Sedgwick, the most popular American author of her day, transformed the image of Christmas into one of innocent joy. In 1856, Christmas was made a legal holiday in Massachusetts.

It is not clear in which Massachusetts town Charles Follen first delighted his guests with a Christmas tree. Suffice it to say that he wrote of the tree and his love of Stockbridge seemingly in the same breath. To replicate the Christmas of his youth in Germany, Follen cut down a tree, set it in a tub of water, and decorated it with little dolls, gilded eggshells, and paper cornucopia filled with candied fruit. He lit it with candles.

One guest wrote: “It really looked beautiful; the room seemed in a blaze, and the ornaments were so well hung that no accident happened…”

It was, as far as anyone knows, the first Christmas tree in Massachusetts, and when the children “poured in…every voice was hushed. . .all eyes were wide… all steps arrested.”

A hundred years later, Norman Rockwell captured Sedgwick’s word pictures, and using Stockbridge as the model, solidified the image of the idyllic American Christmas. Three Stockbridge residents played pivotal roles in creating our idea of Christmas; let that be our legacy.

Legacies Matter

A former Stockbridge police chief said, “Everything out there will come here; it just takes longer.”

“Katie bar the door!”

Don’t let the shenanigans of our national politics into Stockbridge — no lies, no whispered rumors, no whining about fake news, no personal attacks. Honor those dedicated to public service and governing; eschew those interested in power and personal gain. May the legacy of Stockbridge always be as bright, as kindly and generous as is this season.

News

Notes from the Water and Sewer Commission, December 7, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Don Schneyer, Chair
• John Loiodice
• Michael Buffoni, Water Superintendent
• Tony Campetti, Sewer Superintendent
• Jennifer Carmichael, Secretary

1. Waterline flushing completed
2. Water Tank inspection completed; awaiting report
3. Tuckerman Bridge — information gathering
4. Park Street Pump Station — tree removed, Conservation Commission approvals obtained, awaiting final draft for design; within 2-3 weeks will be out for bids.
5. Park Street inspections — letter of notice to inspect approved and will be sent to affected residents
6. Larrywaug Bridge — attach guardrail and open
7. Preventative maintenance on high lift pump (out of treatment plant — cost to do work under $50,0000 (est. $23,000/ each to overhaul) so can go forward
8. Our water surplus is good
9. Proposal to set aside $150,000 for water/sewer emergencies
10. Paul Sundberg is spearheading investigation into possible sewer hookup in neighborhood around Averic Road. Obtaining cost estimates
11. Buffoni wishes to know: how much does our reservoir hold?
12. Buffoni made suggestion that Town investigate using water for power: water moves at 500 gallons/minute and that could generate electricity — he is looking into it as a renewable source of energy and cost saving. Idea well-received.

Meeting adjourned

News

Notes from the Select Board, December 9, Hybrid Meeting

Present:

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

1. Public Hearing: 7 Partridge Way; Sally and Robert Hecht would like to add a family room of 14’x16′ (224 sq ft) to a house of 1267 sq ft. If they did, they would be over the allowed lot coverage by 10%. Building Inspector Ned Baldwin sent the Hechts to the SB for a special permit. SB denied it. Canales explained they could go to Zoning Board of Appeals to have it overturned or White suggested they reduce the size of their screened porch or the proposed new room by 29 sq ft.
2. Katie Keenan from BFC consultants discussed the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program (MVP) which grants money and technical assistance. Grant amounts available statewide were approx. $22,000,000 in 2021.
3. Keenan also went over Stockbridge survey results:
   1. Top concerns — inland flooding, precipitation extremes (snow or rain), severe storms and temperature rising.
   2. Impacts on natural and cultural resources, vulnerability of senior population, development pressure, infrastructure, and resilience of land use and local government.
   3. Actual concerns: 76% re trees falling; 70% re power outages and no backup generators; 41% re private wells; 33% re home maintenance and repair; 40% re weatherization; 33% re HVAC efficiency.
   4. 85% want to remain in Stockbridge; 42% want better health care; 35% want services at home; 35% want better transportation.
   5. Solutions: 54% want senior housing near downtown; 52% want affordable housing; 57% want integrated housing; 50% want accessory dwellings.
4. White was concerned that Stockbridge is 60% second homeowners and state and federal funding is awarded based on fulltime population so that Great Barrington received $2.2 million and Stockbridge received $500,000. What can be done about that?
5. White also wanted to discover what are the impediments when 85% want to stay in Stockbridge and only 64% report they are able to stay. What would help the 64%?
6. Red Lion Inn reported a change in officers, owners, and management.
7. November 18 minutes approved. October 14 minutes once more delayed as corrections requested by White not made.
8. There is a statewide opioid settlement with Johnson and Johnson — does Stockbridge want to sign on? Approved
9. All above ground lighting (which means lighting where the wires as well as the fixtures are above ground) will be purchased and maintained by Stockbridge at a great savings. Below ground lighting will remain with National Grid. Approved.
10. White thanked Laura Dubester and the Green Communities committee — Pat Flinn, Buck Smith, Miles Moffatt, Town Administrator Michael Canales and Police Chief Fennelly.

Meeting adjourned

Editor’s note: Why was Red Lion Inn information disclosed? Is it required or just informational and who are the new owners and managers?

News

Notes from the Agriculture and Forestry Commission (AFC), December 6, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Matt Boudreau, Chair
• Lisa Bozzuto
• Shelby Marshall
• Erik Rasmussen and Chuck Cardillo via Zoom

1. November 1, 2021 minutes approved with correction. (Seedlings are not free but are low cost)
2. Chair introduced Julie Coop from Tree City USA, Mass Department of Conservation and Recreation, to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of applying for the designation as a Tree City.
   1. Chair moved to apply for the designation
   2. Rasmussen was opposed until Commission does some digging and determines cost/benefit; that is, in what ways does Stockbridge benefit versus how much work entailed to apply annually
   3. Rasmussen’s motion carried: will investigate first
3. Chair introduced Jordan Archey from Berkshire Grown to discuss feasibility of having a Stockbridge Farmer’s Market
   1. Location, parking, day of week, and intended clientele are key ingredients for success
   2. For example: Saturday or Sunday may attract fewer locals and more visitors; accepting SNAP payments and/or Senior coupons may attract more locals
   3. Who would run the Market? Chamber? Town? Private entity? The Farmers?
   4. Since there are other Farmer’s Markets in many other towns, what would attract farmers to Stockbridge?
   5. How much might start-up costs be? (est. $5 – 10,000)
   6. Further discussion with Select Board
4. Bozzuto mentioned that there should be an Old Growth Forest Designation Ceremony or “do it silently”. Cardillo preferred a ceremony in spring. When AFC meets with Select Board to discuss Farmer’s Market also set date for dedication ceremony

Meeting adjourned.

News

Notes from the Assessor’s Meeting, December 6, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Gary Pitney, Chair
• Doug Goudey
• Tom Stokes via Zoom

Also present: Tammy Touponce, Secretary, and Michael Blay, Town Assessor

The public portion of the meeting was very short. Subjects touched upon were a second homeowner’s obligation to pay personal property tax. Also, revaluation of commercial, industrial, and rental properties. Board then went into Executive Session. Public portion adjourned

News

Notes from the Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission, December 3, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Jamie Minacci, Chair
• Mike Buffoni, Water Superintendent
• Gary Kleinerman, Harbor Master
• Roxanne McCaffrey, Select Board
• Charles Kenny and Michael Nathan via Zoom

1. 11/19/21 Minutes tabled pending revisions.
2. Water testing — 30 samples taken, no results reported
3. Stockbridge Lake and Watershed memorandum

After lengthy discussion, it was decided:

1. Dredging
2. Aquatic Plant Control (by herbicides or harvesting)
3. Cyanobacteria
4. Habitat Protection
5. Invasives
6. Nutrient load and where are the nutrients coming from — where is water coming from?
7. Thermal imaging
8. Emergency Response Plan

This was a long, detailed discussion only briefly recapped here. The information will be revisited several times as the plan emerges. The meeting can be viewed on CTSB

As they move forward SBSC discussed developing short-term, medium, and long- term plans.

Meeting adjourned.

Editor’s question: In an appeal for donations from Stockbridge Bowl Association that arrived in the mail, SBA mentioned they are working on a Lake Management Plan. Is that a separate endeavor or are they working with the Town?

News

Notes from the Select Board, December 2, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Roxanne McCaffrey, Chair
• Chuck Cardillo
• Patrick White

Also present: Michael Canales, Town Administrator, Brian Cruey, Director, Naumkeag, and guests via zoom included Anita Schwerner, Tom LaBelle, Lisa Sauer, Barb Zanetti, Carl Sprague, Gary Pitney, Hugh Page and many more.

1. No. 8 Mahkeenac Terrace — in adding garage, the building exceeds the height restriction by several feet (35-foot restriction, proposed structure would be 42 feet). Representative for the owners said, the “bylaw is ambiguous”.
   • Carl Sprague via Zoom said, “The bylaw is not ambiguous; uphold it please.”
   • The representative replied, “That is the position we are taking.”
   • If the owners dig down to add garage, is height measurement from new grade they created or from original grade? Cardillo made a strong argument that bylaw means what it says — from dirt to roof at lowest and highest points. Representatives on behalf of owner eliminated the garage and were granted permit on condition that height of house is 35 feet or less per bylaw.
2. Abigail Fredsall expressed interest in serving on Agriculture and Forestry Commission and was appointed.
3. Renewal of annual alcohol licenses: Berkshire Theater Group, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Elm Street Market, Norman Rockwell Museum, Michael’s, Once Upon A Table, Stockbridge Golf Club, Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club, Stockbridge Wine Cellar, Theresa’s, Red Lion Inn, and Wheatleigh. All approved in one vote.
4. Annual Entertainment licenses
   1. Before any vote or discussion, McCaffrey made statement about balancing concerns when nonprofits are located in residential neighborhoods. It was unclear if she was speaking for herself or on behalf of the Select Board.
   2. All licenses approved except Berkshire Botanical Garden and Naumkeag. There were objections/concerns expressed so there will be a public hearing December 16.
5. White announced food drive on December 7 — pick up in a.m.

Meeting adjourned.

News

Holiday Events at Stockbridge Library

1. December 16 (virtual) 12 – 1 p.m.: Poetry
2. December 16 (virtual) 6:30 p.m.: Harvard Law Professor Randall Kennedy “Say It Loud”
3. December 18 (live) 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Victorian Carolers
4. Through January 4: Stroll the Winter Wonderland Walkway

Perspective

Reader to Reader

A Special Thank You to Our Volunteers

Thank you to all the volunteers who serve on town boards and committees, and to all who volunteer to make the town a better place.

AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY COMMISSION

Mathieu Boudreau, Chair
Lisa Bozzuto
Erik Rasmussen
Abby Fredsall, Alternate
Shelby Marshall, Alternate

BOARD OF ASSESSORS

Doug Goudey
Gary Pitney
Tom Stokes

BOARD OF HEALTH

Charles Kenny, Chair
Henry Schwerner
Rae Williams

CABLE ADVISORY BOARD

Michael Canales
Patrick White

CEMETERY COMMISSION

Chris Marsden, Cemetery Consultant
Karen Marshall, Chair
Patrick White, Select Board
Roxanne McCaffrey, Select Board
Ernest Cardillo, Select Board
Terri Iemolini, Town Clerk
Hugh Page, Highway Department
Candace Currie
Lionel Delevingne, Laurel Hill Association

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

Sally Underwood-Miller — Chair
Jay Bikofsky
Chuck Gillett
Linda Jackson
Steve Knopf
Carole Owens
Gary Pitney
Tom Stokes
Patrick White

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Ron Brouker, Chair
Charlotte Underwood-Miller, Secretary
Lisa Bozzuto
Joseph H. DeGiorgis
John Hart
Gary Johnston
Jamie Minacci
Jay Rhind

CULTURAL COUNCIL

Barbara Cooperman
Lynn Edelstein
Janet Egelhofer
Mary Flournoy
Terry Moor
Maureen O’Hanlon
Isabel Rose
Andrea Sholler
Selena Lamb
Rebecca Weinman
Judith Wilkinson
Rena Zurofsky

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Jay Bikofsky, Chair
Jim Balfanz
Bill Vogt
Neil D. Holden
Steve Shatz
Diane Reuss

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

Carl Sprague, Chair
Peter Williams
Jorja Marsden
Pam Sandler
Chantal Rhind
Gary Johnston
Lisa Sauer

HISTORICAL COMMISSION

Linda Jackson, Chair
Maria Carr
Peter Williams

HOUSING AUTHORITY

Bernard Edmonds
Christina McCarthy, State Appointee
Dawn Anne Rabinowitz
Michael Vogt
James Welch
Executive Director: Andrea Lindsay

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION

Steven Knopf, Chair
Nick Fredsall
Nicole Fairaux

PILOT COMMITTEE

Gary Pitney
Tom Stokes
Peter Strauss

PLANNING BOARD

William Vogt, Chair
Jennifer Carmichael, Secretary
Katherine Fletcher
Gary Pitney
Marie Raftery
Nancy Socha
Wayne Slosek
Carl Sprague

REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT PLANNING BOARD

Nick Fredsall
Sean Stehpen
Patrick White

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Corey Sprague
Sean Stephen
Jason St. Peter

SEWER & WATER COMMISSION

Donald Schneyer, Chairman
Jennifer Carmichael, Secretary
John Loiodice
Peter J. Socha

STOCKBRIDGE BOWL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

Jaime Minacci, Chair — Conservation Commission
Charles Kenny — Board of Health
Mike Buffoni — Water and Sewer Department
Gary Kleinerman — Stockbridge Harbormaster
John Loiodice— Sewer & Water Commission
Roxanne McCaffrey — Select Board
Michael Nathan — Stockbridge Bowl Association
Jim Wilusz — Tri-Town Health Department

STOCKBRIDGE GREEN COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE

Laura Dubester, Chair
Mike Buffoni
Michael Canales
Darrell Fennelly
Pat Flinn
Chris Marsden
Miles Moffatt
Starbuck Smith
Tom Stokes

ZEBRA MUSSEL COMMITTEE

George Shippey, Chair
Rodney Agar
Michael Buffoni
Kevin Foran
Gary Kleinerman
Tim Minkler
Michael Nathan

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Thomas Schuler, Chair
John Hyson
Miles Moffatt
Jim Murray
Buck Smith
Patricia Andrew, Alternate
Mark Mills, Alternate

by Patrick White

Perspective

Greenagers

Greenagers is a small community-based non-profit located at the historic April Hill Farm in Egremont, Massachusetts. Our mission is simply represented in four words: youth, environment, work, and community. Established in 2007 as a program for The Center for Peace through Culture, Greenagers has grown in size and influence through its multitude of programs that provide employment and volunteer opportunities for teens and young adults. In 2013 Greenagers, Inc. became its own 501 (c) (3) organization while encompassing a broader range of options for local youth involvement.

Recently, the fall harvest season has been in full swing at April Hill with cider and smiles galore. Our farm team has been diligently harvesting and preparing for the long northeastern winter. Much of our seasonal crops go to various food share programs including Berkshire Bounty. New farming opportunities continue to develop as Greenagers establishes partnerships with local organizations such as Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV).

Another new development at the beautiful April Hill Farm is our barn restoration. Considered a “mid-century” barn the historic society has partnered with Greenagers to bring this relic back to its subtly modernized former glory. The near future will be able to host a wide range of both pathways to the trades programs as well as good old open mic nights on the hill.

Last and certainly not least, our eldest and so far biggest program is trails and conservation. Trail crews throughout the tri-state area from Northwestern Connecticut to Western New York and all of Berkshire County work tirelessly to make trails more accessible to the public. Teens and young adults are given the chance to learn in a direct and hands-on way exactly how our environment works, how to foster sustainable practices, and, most of all, make memories.

Ultimately, Greenagers work to serve the community. Whether it is splitting wood at the wood bank, planting vegetables in the greenhouse, learning carpentry in the barn, stopping by to “bah” at some sheep, or enjoying the view, Greenagers are happy to be part of the wonderful Berkshire community. Our property is open to the public, stop in anytime at 62 North Undermountain Rd Egremont, MA.

by Austen Dupont

Perspective

The Stockbridge Leak — Conclusion

Knowing how the gang at ‘Midge’s’ likes a good story on a Monday morning, I did not hesitate. ‘Sunday afternoon’ I schemed. ‘Perfect!’ I leapt from the canoe to my car. In minutes I swerved into Clint’s driveway. The whole of Clinton’s clan was gathered on the wide green lawn to the delicious aroma of grilled sirloin; A cook out!

I caught Clint’s eye. He put down the spatula, walked over to me, stopped, took a swig of his beer, crumpled the can.

‘Dennis’, he said in the sweetest Clint voice I’d heard from him in years of teasing, in decades. ‘Dennis, you found it!’ He glanced back over his shoulder at the throng of relatives, shrugged his shoulders, said lightly, ‘let’s take a look-see’.

He was solid in the canoe I noticed. Paddling up the River, he soon saw the underwater geyser of sand. We stopped over it and I overheard him speaking, ‘so you’re the rascal who ruined my summer’. He sighted both riverbanks for location. We drifted back down to the bridge. When the canoe was lashed to my car, we turned back to the River. The Leak was in plain sight. We’d both been driving by it all summer.

The next morning, Monday, I drove into Town for the mail. The Stockbridge DPW was in the River; Bobby, Gilbert, Red. They had built a coffer dam of black, sand filled contractor’s bags. A gas-powered pump purred inside the dam. They had cut out the bad section of pipe and prepared a splice.

I walked down to ‘rubberneck’ from the riverbank. Clint came over and we stood together. ‘Don’t say nothin, he warned me, ‘to your en-viron-men-tals. You call them, we’re twiddling thumbs for months, and getting no wheres’.

A minute passed. I nodded. He was looking out to the middle of the River at Red, Gilbert and Bobby. He was speaking now in a loud voice. Loud enough so they could hear, Clint said, ‘Dennis, about you finding this here leak, (long pause) We told you so!’

From the River, I heard laughter!

by Denny Alsop

Perspective

A Special Thank you to:

Captain Ken Krentsa, Patrick White, Teresa and Alan O’Brient, and Cafe Trekele whose generosity made the Tuesday Club of Stockbridge’s holiday raffle such a success. Proceeds will go to the Elizabeth Freeman Center — “Local Women Helping Local Women”.

Opinion

NHRPZ Concerns

Following the defeat of the DeSisto resort/housing development project, some in town government began to promote zoning change more favorable to developers. New Planning Board members led this effort, while the Finance Committee issued a dire report urging us to diversify our economy.

They have been creating the Natural Historic Resource Preservation Zoning bylaw (NHRPZ) ever since, a housing/resort development bylaw with conservation overtones, but enabling relatively high-density cluster housing developments to be built in town. The original NHRPZ draft was written in a closed-door subcommittee of the Planning Board last year. Some have sought the rationale for this. The answer from the Chairs — “It’s only a draft”.

Upending our current zoning without replacing our quarter-century old Master Plan is wrong. Major zoning changes involve a comprehensive review of a town’s plan. Creating such plans is increasingly beyond the capability of volunteer boards alone. Look at Lenox, now redesigning their future in a community-wide effort.

In belatedly researching their plan, Planning Board members recently visited other towns with housing developments to see what things might look like here if they pass the NHRPZ. They have finally asked their planning consultant to visit town. This won’t make NHRPZ right for Stockbridge, but it will highlight our uniqueness.

Imagine hundreds, even thousands, of people moving here to live in cluster housing in the green outer belt of town in a short period of time. People who have come here for the stability and character would lose their dreams. Current residents who would subsidize the resulting infrastructure costs, may suffer depressed property values, along with business and residential property tax increases, as in Lenox. The stability, character, and identity of the town are at stake. Zoning must address this.

We have unique interdependent businesses here that are critical to our long successful economic run, and that of the entire region. Art, music, outdoor recreation, natural beauty, spiritual health, historic landmarks. Tanglewood, Chesterwood, Rockwell Museum, Mission House, Naumkeag, Marian Fathers, Red Lion Inn, The Bowl, Gould Meadows, Ice Glen, Housatonic River, Berkshire Botanical Gardens, Children’s Chimes — all in one town — in a spectacular natural setting. We are all stewards of these gifts. They are our bread and butter — both for our economy and our souls.

by Bruce Blair

Opinion

Improve Property Tax Equity

In writing for your last edition about Stockbridge land assessments, I was not complaining about the particular assessment of our small Stockbridge plot’s value (as the editor’s note may have led people to think) but about the overall fairness of the system Stockbridge uses to assess land values. It disproportionally taxes owners of small lots relative to owners of large lots, unfairly burdening them. Correcting this injustice, more than the proposed residential tax exemption, would improve the equity of Stockbridge taxation, and filing a challenge to my particular assessment won’t raise that issue.

Stockbridge uses formulas in calculating land value (as distinct from residence value). While I accept that these formulas have been correctly applied, their use results in undertaxing wealthy landowners relative to middle-class landowners — and this may be true all over Stockbridge. Here are two illustrative examples, using the State’s Interactive Property Map tool to find the assessed land value for each of two sets of five contiguous properties enjoying frontage on Stockbridge Bowl.

There’s straight-line consistency in valuing five contiguous northern lots, each smaller than an acre, in relation to their size. Extended to zero, that straight line suggests a uniform lake frontage value of $580,000 for each. Continuing that line to 2 acres produces a land valuation of about $1.8 million. Two acres is the size at which Mike Blay once told me “real” valuation stops and an artificial value per acre was added for each additional acre.

Five contiguous large lots on the west side of Stockbridge Bowl vary in size from 3.4 to 11 acres. Here, too, a straight line connects their assessed land values in relation to their acreage. But now, extending this line to zero shows $1.435 million as the uniformly shared frontage value. (Using the $580,000 frontage line, $1.435 million would be the total value for a plot of about 1.4 acres.) The total land valuations of these five larger lots land range from $1.449 million to $1.483 million, a difference of only $34,200; thus, the effect of the formula applied here is to value each additional acre at $4,500. Markets do not work this way.

The use of formulas that disproportionally tax often middle-class owners of small lots relative to the often wealthier owners of large lots unfairly burdens small lot owners. Ending this regressive taxation would do much to improve the equity of Stockbridge real estate taxation.

by Peter Strauss

Opinion

Beavers and Bureaucrats

It’s been months. The alert from a Stockbridge homeowner went out months ago about the rising water around their home. Beavers.

A solution was found over ten years ago when this first occurred. A beaver dam “control device” was installed, the water returned to its normal level, and all was good.

Now the water is back. Evidently the contract with the company that installed the device has lapsed. Being someone in town who pays attention to this stuff, I took a look. The beavers figured out how to make the “device” ineffective. They built their dam around and over it. The result? The rising water returned and flooded this homeowner’s land again.

So the homeowners called the District One MA Highway Department and told them of the problem, that is, no one is maintaining the “device” on the west side of Rte. 7.

“No they haven’t been aware of this.” No results, no satisfaction.

They called their ‘Commonwealth’ Representative. Nada results.

Town Highway Department — not their jurisdiction.

Board of health — isn’t currently a threat to their septic.

So, after their frustrating months I looked into it.

The beaver-defeating device was maintained twice annually for 10 plus(?) years and then maintenance stopped. Why? Although I serve on the Conservation Commission, I speak only for myself herein. I strongly suspect that the contract with the private company that installed and maintained the device lapsed, and no one pressed the “alarm” button — not the company, the Highway Department District One or Town Offices. No one knows about this issue anymore. Institutional memory gone… Poof! Yet there is imminent danger to a property owner.

Now someone wants a “STUDY”?! Are you kidding me? This was “studied” a decade ago! A solution was found, and it worked for years. Now no one remembers that; no one can find the contract, and no one is aware of the history.

We need help with enforcing maintenance clauses written into contracts made with private companies. This is just one example. There are other maintenance clauses put into place and then forgotten.

So, will this matter be resolved sooner or later? The actual time this needs to be done is now! We’ll see. I only get to write in SU every 30 days so I’ll keep you posted 30 days from now.

by John Hart

Opinion

About Contributions, Opinion Pieces, and Letters

About Contributions, opinion pieces, and letters: they are posted as received (uncorrected) unless the writer requests that SU edits.

Opinion

Town Square: TOWN SPEED LIMITS

Recently, Stockbridge Updates received letters about the desire to reduce speed limits in town. Although one person was focused on reducing the limit on Main Street, the others were concerned about the speed limit on their own residential streets.

There was a hearing on MA Senate Bill 2283 “To promote Safety by Permitting Municipalities to Reduce Speed Limits” (a prerogative held by the Commonwealth). The reduction would be 5 mph town wide. Following is a letter from Tom Farley on the subject. If you have an opinion, an idea or question, weigh in.

For Town Square from Tom Farley

Who would like to see the speed limit on their road lowered?

The residents of Yale Hill are trying to lower the speed limits from 30 down to as little as 15

by the bridge. The problem is the Commonwealth did a study in the 1970s that says the limits cannot be any lower than 25 by the bridge and 30 on the rest of the road. That is too fast.

It’s the same around town. If you want to lower the speed limits, and the Commonwealth did a study on that street, and established a speed, you cannot go lower than what they set at that time.

We have the support of 100% of Yale Hill residents and many others. Others would like to see the speed limit reduced on Main Street as well as their own residential streets.

I am asking that anyone who would like to see the speed limit lowered please contact me or write a comment on Town Square in Stockbridge Updates.

The plan so far is to determine what legal actions we can take to have control over our speed limits or invite the Commonwealth to work with us. We would like what is safe and what the residents want to hold sway over the decisions.

If Anyone who would like to help on this initiative, please let me know. Where do you stand? What would you like the speed limit on your street to be?

Dear Carole,

Let people know, they could write re: Bill #2283 to: https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J27

Or MA Rep. Joanne Chelmsford, who would like people to help support her bill. Contact her at Kirsten.Centrella@mahouse.gov with subject heading re: Bill #2283 by Joanne Chelmsford Permitting Municipalities to Reduce Speed Limits.

THANK YOU for your help.

Tom