Editorial

Only in Stockbridge

Isn’t it lovely? After all these years, Town Hall will no longer be vacant, silent, its windows blank, its timbers moldering. What a long, slow trip it’s been.

Former Stockbridge Police Chief Rick Wilcox remembered a day when Chief William Obanhein was asked by Selectman Robert Williams (Claire’s husband), “to meet in the center of Town.”

Obie went to the Main Street business district roughly midblock. He waited — no Williams. Williams was waiting in front of Old Town Hall. Of course — that was the center of town.

That was the original village green, the heart of Stockbridge, where, in 1737, John Sergeant and Timothy Woodbridge, a committee of two, planned and executed the construction of a “30 x 40-foot Meetinghouse”. From then until 2006, it was an ever-evolving “center” of Stockbridge.

In 1813 John Hunt offered to sell 3.5 acres to the Town of Stockbridge at $70 per acre for a new town hall. The Town was unable to raise the $245.

Hunt sold the land to Dr. Oliver Partridge, who sold it to Dr. Thaddeus Pomeroy who sold it to the First Congregational Church of Stockbridge. In 1839 the Congregational Society leased that same piece of land to the town.

“So, in 1839,” Wilcox summed up, “the Town ended up leasing the same land Hunt offered to sell to the Town 26 years earlier.”

After the fire in 1902, work on the 1840 building began. The building was swiveled, front door put in the right rear, an addition and pillars added. You can still spark an argument about the wisdom of those pillars 118 years later.

In 2006, the building was abandoned by folks with half a plan, a back-of-the-envelope cost estimate, and an imperfect sense of history. Town Offices moved to the Plain School. The school just needed a lick of paint to transform it, they said. A proud old building was empty, and the center of Stockbridge shifted.

Ten years later, in 2016, two organizations expressed an interest in the structure — the Norman Rockwell Museum and the Berkshire Waldorf School. An Old Town Hall Reuse Committee was formed and folded. There was less movement than a stir in the air.

2022: At last, our “center” will be restored; it will be loved and come alive as old Town Hall becomes the Waldorf School. It will be full of activity and the sound of children.

That’s the story: 16 years and much more than $16 million dollars later, old Town Hall is a school, and the old school is our Town Offices. The Hall rests on land we could not afford to buy it leased for almost 200 years — only in Stockbridge

by Carole Owens , Managing Editor

News

Notes from the Conservation Commission (ConCom), June 14, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Ron Brouker, Chair via Zoom
• Sally Underwood-Miller, Secretary
• John Hart
• Jamie Minacci
• Lisa Bozzuto
• Tom LaBelle
• Bill Loutrel
• Chuck Koher
• Marie Raftery via Zoom

1. Minutes of the last meeting approved as corrected
2. Vincent Park — not present — matter continued
3. Gregg Wellenkamp — not present — matter continued
4. Sarah Mnookin, owner, for One Dugway Road
   1. Unoccupied for three years
   2. Issue for ConCom — silt fence while under construction due to proximity to wetland, brook or water
   3. Will footprint change? Yes, as have to remove center portion which is rotted and address foundation issues
   4. ConCom has plans, photos, and existing condition report from owner
   5. In addition three or more dead trees will be removed. Brouker requested marking the trees to be removed
   6. ConCom requested site visit — scheduled
   7. Underwood-Miller recommended they file Notice of Intent (NOI)
   8. Mnookin asked what they can do before NOI submitted and reviewed. Underwood-Miller said nothing within 100 feet of wetland and no exterior without permit
5. ConCom received Emergency Certificate Request to replace/repair Beaver Deceiver in Kampoosa Bog — Requested by Department of Transportation (DOT). Granted
6. Via Zoom, Anita Schwerner asked about the Wellenkamp issue. Evidently trees were removed on his property without ConCom approval, required replanting was not completed, and no report was submitted by Wellenkamp.
   1. Schwerner said it appeared he was disrespecting ConCom and the Town. Is there a fine? Or some action that can be taken?
   2. Hart said the property is for sale and cannot sell without a Certificate of Compliance (CoC)
   3. Another ConCom member said those are two different properties both owned by Wellenkamp — apparently the other is for sale not the one under discussion
   4. Schwerner restated that it was disrespectful, and wanted to know how Wellenkamp can be the Town’s representative to GZA (consulting group writing lake management plan) with respect to dredging under these circumstances? Also asked why it has taken 10 years to dredge with Wellenkamp as representative?
   5. Bozutto favored sending a certified letter
7. Annie Selke, owner; Jeff Lynch, designer; Mark Volk, Foresight Land on behalf of 212/218 Old Stockbridge Road. Evidently trees were cut down without permission, replanting took place as required, and now they wanted a Certificate of Compliance (CoC).
   1. Con Com felt could not grant CoC, but will wait and see if trees survive and also address issues related to Scenic Mountain Act
   2. Chair was hesitant to grant it until SB and PB review.
   3. Every aspect complicated by both properties being in Lenox and Stockbridge and the two towns having different requirements, for example, length of driveway permitted
   4. Selke wanted it understood that the original cutting was not done without permission. Apparently, it was 2016 and Selke approached the Lenox PB, the Stockbridge PB and Forestry (a Commonwealth office?) and was granted permission
   5. Underwood-Miller wondered if Stockbridge PB thought she was cutting in Lenox and Lenox PB thought she was cutting in Stockbridge? DeGiorgis was on ConCom in 2016 but was not present
   6. Lynch was under the impression, from his research, that Stockbridge, while one of the first towns in state to sign onto Scenic Mountain Act, the Town did not actually complete the required paperwork with the Registrar of Deeds
   7. Continued — site visit before next meeting
8. Hart asked about Performance Standards. Bozutto replied they were completed and sent to Town Counsel
9. Hart wanted to have a list of requirements (especially I the Lake and Pond overlay District) given to Real estate agents so folks thinking of buying around the lake would know what is required before they buy. Other members seemed to feel this information was already available online and from Building Inspector.

Meeting adjourned

Editor’s Question: Did Lynch check with the correct Registry? Stockbridge records are in the Pittsfield office not the Great Barrington office. Hope there is follow up on this.

News

Notes from the Historic Preservation Committee, June 15, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Carl Sprague, Chair
• Peter Williams
• Jorja Marsden
• Lisa Sauer
• Pam Sandler

1. Minutes of the June 6 meeting approved as written
2. Attorney Lori Robbins, Designer David Potter, and owner Gail (last name inaudible) on behalf of 15 Lakeview Drive
   1. Permission to demolish
   2. Williams: no historic value
   3. Is house to be built larger than one demolished? Yes, as it is 2-story replacing a one story, but it is sited further from The Bowl
   4. Demolition approved
3. Sarah Mnookin, owner, on behalf of One Dugway Road
   1. Is the structure(s) historic — yes
   2. Are the proposed changes substantial? — discussion
      
      Substantial alterations to an historic building not allowed under the bylaw. What does substantial mean? Sanders: these changes clearly are substantial. Marsden agreed. (Includes both demolition of a section and an addition)
      
      Williams argued “not substantial” — Sprague agreed and called changes “in keeping with” — Williams argued the meaning of substantial as doing best to preserve character given the current condition of buildings
   3. Sauer said (center section to be demolished) contains “King’s boards”. King’s boards are very largest boards cut from largest trees. If they save and reuse, then Sauer satisfied that they are doing best to preserve given current condition — Marsden agreed since keeping and reusing it is “in keeping”
   4. Williams further argued, the bylaw says, “does the proposed plan alter or materially compromise the historic or architectural character of the building?”
   5. Motion: “Work does not significantly alter as defined in bylaw” Passed — work approved

Meeting adjourned

News

Notes from the Board of Health (BOH), June 16, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Charles Kenny, Chair
• Hank Schwerner
• John Loiodice
• Jim Wilusz, Executive Director, Tri Town Health

1. Kenny thanked Rae Williams for her service and contribution to the BOH and welcomed new member John Loiodice
2. As usual following an election, there is an election of BOH officers: Kenny elected chair and Loiodice secretary
3. Approved minutes from August 30, 2021 as written
4. Public Hearing: 38 Lake Drive
   1. Brent White on behalf of 38 Lake Drive — permit to demolish and build new
   2. BOH purview: septic proposed to the side of house
   3. Number of bedrooms will remain the same (3) in old and new houses
   4. Permit required as it is a variance: greater than 50 ft but less than 100 ft from wells on this and neighboring property
   5. New technology — Wilusz recommended and no objection from neighbor
   6. Approved as meets Title 5 and a maintenance contract signed by owner (which will follow title even if property sold)
5. Reminder of July 9 Forum — Coping post COVID19 — 10:30am at Marian Father’s Outdoor Shrine on Prospect Hill Road

Editor’s query: Wilusz commented on the substantial cost of these septic systems (possibly as much as $60,000). With all the building around the lake, each requiring a new septic, if the new owners got together, couldn’t they cover the cost of connecting all of them to Town sewer? Wilusz, Loiodice, and others have remarked often that it would be healthier for lake.

News

Notes from the Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission, June 17, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Jamie Minacci, chair
• Roxanne McCaffrey, Sportsman Club
• Michael Nathan, Stockbridge Bowl Association (SBA)
• John Loiodice, Water and Sewer Commission
• Jim Wilusz, Tri-Town Board of Health via Zoom
• Pat Kennelly, Pres. SBA, via Zoom

1. Minutes from May 6 meeting approved; minutes from April 1 tabled
2. Harvester update:
   1. One awaiting replacement part; the other will be put in the water when the water chestnuts (an invasive) are pulled up — perhaps in a day or two
   2. Kennelly — test plots will be determined, and areas will be marked with buoys perhaps in a week as cannot harvest in test areas
   3. Nathan — please decide and mark quickly as folks around lake want harvesting
3. Citizen query? None
4. Water testing? Buffoni not present
5. Report on Zebra Mussels? Kleinerman not present
6. No new report on dredging
7. Loiodice, Water and Sewer Commission — 21 Interlaken will connect to sewer and that will create opportunity for others to connect. Not required but should connect if have opportunity
8. Wilusz, Tri-Town Health
   1. Lake Drive new septic system could cost as much as $50-60k. For health of lake and comparative expense — nice if could extend sewer all around lake
   2. COVID in yellow (not increasing) — home tests available — no changes unless another uptick
9. Lake Management Plan sent to the consultant, GZA, and not back yet
10. Nathan requested copy of new roster when appointments completed by SB

Meeting adjourned

Events

Events

1. Naumkeag Music on four Thursdays and one Tuesday as follows: Thursday July 14th — Fiesta Del Norte, Thursday August 11th — Kina Zoré, Tuesday August 23rd — The Late Risers, Thursday August 25th — The Lucky Five and Thursday September 8th — The Wanda Houston Band

2. Tri-Town Board of Health and Austin Riggs present — Coping post COVID19 — What can we learn from our experiences during the pandemic? Date: Saturday, July 9 Time: 9:00-10:30 a.m. Location: Outdoor Shrine at the Marian Fathers (at Eden Hill, Stockbridge)

3. Stockbridge Bowl Association Beach Day Saturday July 16, Town Beach 10am – 1pm

4. Stockbridge Library Book Sale July 8 9am – 5pm, July 9 9am – 5pm and July 10 10am – 4pm

While in library, look at “Spotlight” (a special display) in the Archives downstairs

Perspective

Housing Production Plan — what is it?

At the June 23rd meeting, the Stockbridge Select Board voted to move forward with a Housing Production Plan. I’d like to take a moment to explain what it is, and why we need one.

In Stockbridge, we have some challenges surrounding housing. With over a thousand full-time residents in their 60s and older, is it important to the community that we give the 10-12% who, according to studies, will need to downsize options to do so in their hometown? If so, should this housing be limited to those who qualify for affordable (subsidized) or should they be available to everyone via a market rate option? If the people of Stockbridge determine this goal is important, how do we do it?

Similarly, is it important to us that we maintain the centuries-old tradition of a town where at least some of its residents can afford to live here as they work in the area and raise their families? If the people of Stockbridge determine this goal is important, how do we do it?

Finally, is it important to us that we encourage diversity in its many forms: diversity in terms of level of wealth, race and ethnicity, age, perspective, lifestyle? If the people of Stockbridge determine this goal is important, how do we do it?

The “how” is often the sticking point. How do we pay for it, with whom should we partner, do our bylaws support it? How do implement change while avoiding unintended and potentially damaging consequences?

These are the sorts of tough questions a Housing Production Plan can answer.

The plan will provide us with a snapshot of where we are, coupled with a process that is heavily weighted toward community involvement and input to determine where we want to be and the steps we need to take to get there.

I am looking forward to working with the Select Board, the Planning Board, and the people of Stockbridge to help manage an open, transparent process that in the end can serve as a consensus blueprint for how we manage and prioritize the housing challenges we face.

These are hard questions but I have every confidence in the ability of this community to work together to ask them without fear, discuss and debate them without rancor and answer them in the spirit of what is best for the future of our town.

Patrick White is Chairman of the Board of Selectmen

by Patrick White

Perspective

A Blast from the Past: Mounting Evidence

(Taken from the Annual Town Report, 1965 thank you to Conservation Commission member, and researcher par excellence, Tom LaBelle)

The Stockbridge Conservation Commission met for the first time in September 1962. In 1965, in the Annual Town Report, membership of the Conservation Commission was: J.F. Decker, Chairman, John (Jack) Fitzpatrick, Mary Flynn, John W. Hatch, Raymond Mercier, Dr. Eugene Talbot, and E. Gillette Wilcox. The Statement of Purpose read as follows:

The Conservation Commission in Stockbridge has laid the foundation for an intelligent program of conservation that would maintain the character and quality of the community. At the request of the Commission, Vaughn Gray did a map of the town indicating lands owned by the town

and by Laurel Hill to be used as a basis for study of specific areas of interest. These areas of concern are the Housatonic River, the highway approaches to the town, natural woodlands and

wetlands and historic landmarks. In recommending the retention of land areas owned by the town and the acquisition of open spaces on the approaches to the town, the commission has held joint meetings with the Board of Selectmen, the Planning Board and Conservation

Commissions in neighboring towns. During the coming year the Commission plans to make specific recommendations for land acquisition. These will be in accordance with the commission’s basic philosophy that it is desirable in our expanding megalopolis (sic) today to plan wisely for the future. These ends can be realized by setting aside public lands for the

benefit of our expanding population and by maintaining the identity of the town by preventing unrestricted development of the approaches to Stockbridge.

There is mounting evidence that developing land rather than leaving open spaces causes tax increases. Many towns have had the experience of developing land to bring in added revenue and then appropriating many times that amount for municipal services. Open space will not only save money, but it will provide enjoyment, recreation and conservation for our own and future generations.

Perspective

League of Women Voters

by Ramelle Pulitzer, President with Board Members Amy Cooper, Stockbridge; Betty Farbman, Egremont; Lucy Kennedy, Lenox; Susan Morris, Stockbridge.

Have no doubt about it: There is a local League of Women Voters. And it’s going strong!

The Central Berkshire County Chapter (LWV CBC) was recognized in 2020 as the 47th Chapter of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (LWVMA)…just before the pandemic hit.

Pre-COVID19, LWV-CBC met monthly at the Stockbridge Library. When we had to move online, attendance dropped quickly. Nonetheless, several people persevered: We now have a board of five and a membership of 30 men and women dedicated to the mission and goals of the League:

“… a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy. We empower voters and defend democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation, at the local, state, and national levels.” (www.LWV.org)

An early challenge for our chapter, was the change in rules for voting in Massachusetts in the November 2020 elections. We connected with our neighbor leagues and learned strategies for voter engagement. We staffed information tables and distributed registration materials. We also discovered Vote411.org, a website chockful of information, which is hosted by the LWV of the United States (LWVUS).

Berkshire County, with its many self-governing towns and cities, constitutes a special challenge, and this is particularly true for local elections. But it is also a challenge for statewide elections, when information must be shared widely. In 2020, we tried to reach every locale in the Central Berkshires, distributing lawn signs and voter calendars of key dates: last day to register; last day to get a mail-in ballot; dates of the primary and general elections. Given the pandemic challenges, some town clerks needed additional support, so we linked them with high school students, who received the appropriate training and helped staff the polls.

Voter turnout in 2020 was encouraging, breaking records across the Commonwealth, with 75 – 90 percent turnout in Central Berkshire County.

Conversely, local election turnouts in 2021 were dismal. For example, one third of registered voters participated in the election for Selectman of Stockbridge. The result: an extremely close count, a recount, and finally a win by a margin of five votes. This example clearly shows the importance of every vote. LWV CBC intends to keep voter turnout a top priority. This coming season, we plan to encourage and enable more voters to get to the polls, especially traditionally disengaged voters. We have ideas, and we have hope!

Your participation as a member or volunteer would make a big difference. You don’t need to be a full-time resident. Please explore our website and join us.

https://lwvcentralberkshires.org/membership-account/membership-levels

by Ramelle Pulitzer, President with Board Members

Perspective

Those Trees

The title of this post reflects two of my active interests. I enjoy hiking, seeing trees at various stages of growth, and I study Native American culture. “Nigik Abaziak” is an Abenaki phrase meaning “Those Trees”. Abenaki (more formally called Western Abenaki) is a dialect in the Algonkian language group.

“kokohas” means owl — an onomatopoeic word, mimicking the “koo” part of the owl’s call. I was pleasantly surprised to come across a tree named kokokhoakw — literally “owl tree.” (The English name of the tree is balsam fir, which is favored by owls for sheltering their owlets.)

Recently, I conducted an overview course for Berkshire OLLI on “Indigenous Peoples of the Northeast”, which included a few examples of language use. At the end of that course, one of my students requested a list of Abenaki names for trees. I have assembled such a list, but gathering it turned into a bigger project than I had expected. I ended up with 91 entries, and there could have been many more. Fewer than half of those are actual tree names; the rest are words that relate to fruits of trees or bushes (such as “sata” — the word for “blueberry”), or words for types of woods, or for areas that have been cleared of trees, and many others that I thought would be of interest.

Here are a few examples. Each line is taken directly from a recent version of the online Abenaki dictionary being used in the language course I mentioned. The Abenaki word is given first, followed by its plural (pl), and then an English translation.

• abazi pl abaziak tree, a living tree
• maskwaimozi pl maskwaimoziak a white birch
• satamozi pl satamozial blueberry bush
• medawinnoibegotaigan pl medawinnoibegotaiganal a witches broom, an abnormal growth of tree branches
• anaskemezi pl anaskemeziak a red or black oak tree, Quercus rubra, Quercus velutina
• ogemakw pl ogemakok white ash (snowshoe wood, Fraxinus americana)
• pabalakw pl pabalakok American sycamore, smooth tree, Platanus occidentalis
• wajoimizi pl wajoimiziak a beech tree, Fagus

One could use these names (and many others listed in my spreadsheet) to simply point and say, “Wajoimizi na!” (“That is a beech tree!”). Or, to treat the trees in a more friendly way, one could say “Kwai kwai, wajoimizi, paakwinogwzian!”

• transliteration: Hello hello, beech tree, you look new to me! ( it’s good to see you again!)

When I lead a hike, I sometimes offer an incantation: “N’dalosabna kpiwi pasojiwi ta pozidokiwi ta nopaiwi!” (“We are going into the woods nearby and over the hill and far away!”).

by Michael Forbes Wilcox

Perspective

Twenty-nine Per Cent

Twenty-nine percent of our registered voters voted in the town elections this year. In an era of change, growth, new challenges and age-old problems, with the future of Stockbridge at stake and a cry for more open government, we could not interest more than 29% of our registered residents to vote on issues and people who will shape what becomes of this town.

We are a weary, divided 29%. Big development folks are no doubt continuing to make election plans. I hope they research and document the basis for their plans as the current Select Board is now beginning to do. Who will be better off? How will the developers and their supporters prove it? Research and data are critical. But prove the need first. A mini-building boom happened while we debated cluster housing /open space. Where are we now?

What of the 71% who did not vote? It would be hard to blame them for finding that the proposed development bylaw proposal was hard to understand. Or for confusion about oversight at the Bowl and competing plans to control weeds. Perhaps they were just weary too, not interested. At times we have seemed like a mirror image of the national divide. At times, things have been said and done that do not seem like the old Stockbridge, more like the dysfunctional Washington of our bad dreams come true here.

What about the people who seem to be footing the bill for much of the budget? Second homeowners pay taxes but cannot vote. Surely, they deserve to be heard. Residents hold the town together and grapple with everyday issues. We live here. But only 29% voted. Awareness and personal interest drives voting. The more you know, the more you understand. In the age of opinions masquerading as facts, hidden agendas, political gamesmanship, outright lies, and unprecedented self-interest, many people are weary.

Voting is serious business. Uninformed voters are too common. Non-voters are far more common. We should not hire consultants to push agendas. We hire them to find facts. And we are perfectly capable of doing much of our own research before we jump on bandwagons. If you don’t vote, you get what you get in the end. If we want Stockbridge to keep being Stockbridge, all of us need to do our homework, speak up, and vote.

by Bruce Blair

The Last Word

Reader to Reader

Carole,

There was an interesting discussion about Hybrid Meetings at the June 23 Selectmen’s Meeting. Although I wasn’t there in person or on Zoom, I later watched the meeting on CTSBtv.org to learn what took place. I would like to comment in SU, and I will also email the selectmen.

I disagree with Chuckie’s statement that if you don’t participate in a meeting in real time, it is useless “after the fact”.

Streaming on CTSB is the only way to know exactly what happened and that requires hybrid meetings. You can always comment “after the fact” by contacting board and committee members.

Chuckie added, you can find out what took place by reading the newspaper. We all know that’s not true. Stockbridge Updates highlights what took place at almost all Town meetings.

The discussion centered around a staffing shortage at CTSB making them unable to cover all town meetings in the future and the options that are available to the town to continue providing coverage. CTSB will cover selectman’s meetings and possibly other regulatory boards but not all meetings.

One option from CTSB is to hire their staff members, if available, at a cost of $50/hour to provide the support needed.

Another option brought forward by Michael Canales can and will be tried now. It is to train the paid committee secretaries as well as other town staff or committee members to login to Zoom, to enable screen sharing, and, if necessary, to quickly end a meeting in case of Zoom bombing. It’s not difficult.

CTSB would still post the recordings on their website and the IT budget could cover the cost for some meetings that need assistance. If in the future there is a need for more funding, the question can be brought to voters at a Special Town Meeting or annual Town Meeting. Sounds reasonable to me.

The voters at the May 16 town meeting passed the article requiring that all town meetings have a real time remote component. (There was an amendment added if posted site visits include deliberations, they are exempt.)

The unique characteristics of Stockbridge increase the importance of continuing hybrid meetings. Over 50% of residents are over 65 and over 60% are second homeowners. Without the remote component and CTSB there would be a lack of transparency with regard to what takes place at town meetings.

Anita Schwerner

Carole,

The Duke family (Jessie, Frank, Chris and Rachel) will be hosting a Golf Tournament and Silent Auction/Raffle fundraiser on August 20, 2022 at Wyndhurst Golf and club (formerly Cranwell Resort) in honor of their son and brother, Dan Duke.

Twenty-one years ago, when Danny was 22 years old, he suffered a head injury while attending college. He spent many months at Spaulding rehab in Boston, though never regained consciousness. For the past 21 years, Danny has lived at a nursing home within a mile of his parent’s home in Lenox, where they spent every day with him. Danny passed away on May 19, 2022 due to complications from COVID.

The family has lived in Lenox for 46 years and is proud to call that community home. Both sons were a part of the Lenox Public School System, and Danny also attended and graduated from Monument Mountain Regional High School, BHRSD. The funds raised from this event will be added to the existing scholarship, The Dan Duke Memorial Scholarship Fund, that has been created to support students graduating from MMRHS and to honor Dan.

You can register for the golf tournament at dandukegolf@gmail.com. $110 per person with a shotgun start at 9AM. Please email the players’ names and contact information to this email address. Checks can be payable to: The Dan Duke Memorial Scholarship Fund or by Venmo to @DanDuke-Golf. Checks can be mailed to Frank Duke, 228 New Lenox Road, Lenox Massachusetts 01240. If anyone wants to get involved — help out, contact me.

Bets wishes,

Rick Wilcox

Celebrating Ben Franklin, Publisher

Carole,

Ben Franklin was many things: inventor, author, the first US Postmaster General, drafter and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Before all of that, however, he began his career as an apprentice, a printer, and a publisher.

Franklin went on to become one of the most accomplished and influential publishers in Colonial America.

Fast forward nearly 250 years, and I continue to be inspired by how ordinary folks like Ben Franklin, publisher, came together on July 4, 1776 to declare:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Franklin recognized that a free and functioning press was essential to ensure a free and functioning democracy. Thank you for channeling Ben with Stockbridge Updates, and have a wonderful Independence Day.

Patrick White

Analysis

 Notes from the Select Board (SB), June 23, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Patrick White, Chair
• Chuck Cardillo
• Jamie Minacci
• Michael Canales, Town Administrator

Also attending via Zoom and in person: Kate Fletcher, Bruce Blair, Larry Ackerman, John Hart, Ron Brouker, and others identified if they spoke

1. Request for a Special Permit. On behalf of 8 Hawthorne, Daniel Pincus, owner; Attorney Elizabeth Goodman; Mark Volk, Foresight Land Surveying; Jay Rhind, Builder.
   1. Goodman requested permit to build new house on a pre-existing, nonconforming lot
   2. Goodman presented house plans and asserted an overall decrease in nonconformity.
   3. White pointed out that the bylaw does not call for an aggregate decrease but a decrease on each boundary.
   4. Canales said, after conferring with Town Counsel, it was clear that the intent was to take distance from each lot line separately
   5. Goodman said her “legal position” was that the proposed house “will not be in greater nonconformity” as no closer to lot line.
   6. Cardillo said the proposed house added to nonconformity. Minacci agreed
   7. White called for a continuance to consider and discuss
   8. Cardillo called for the vote — permit declined unanimously
2. White announced July 28 for the annual second homeowners meeting with SB
3. White called for public comments and Hart asked about private driveways being considered public roads to the extent that using Town funds to repair them.
   1. He offered an example.
   2. White said in that case it was brought to Town Meeting and the voters approved the expenditure
4. Hilary Deely on behalf of Laurel Hill Association announced that the oldest civic beautification organization in the US will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Frederick Law Olmsted’s birth this year with events in August
5. Pat Kennelly on behalf of Stockbridge Bowl Association announced their 75th Anniversary this year with events open to everyone beginning in July (See SU Events)
6. Cardillo requested a Special Town meeting to discuss and consider proposed changes to Main Street in September/October with a preliminary informational session in August
7. Lis Wheeler, newest member of the Planning Board, discussed housing
   1. White said Stockbridge is doing well — it is one of the few towns who met the requirement for 10% affordable housing — however, we could do more
   2. Wheeler presented the Housing Production Plan (Lenox just completed theirs)
   3. White suggested taking $50,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) awarded to Stockbridge and conduct a study to determine what Stockbridge needs
   4. Motion made and passed — White thanked fellow SB members saying “this was important to me”
8. Stockbridge Bowl
   1. Dredging — no action
   2. Test plot — not approved
   3. Water chestnut removal—completed
   4. Harvesting? — can harvest channel now, and then as soon as test plots approved by Department of Environmental Protection, can harvest everywhere except in test plot
9. Ice Glen — trees are being treated. All ash trees completed. Will treat as many hemlocks as possible
10. Soldier’s Monument — bidding complete, contract awarded to Allegrone
11. Averic Road bridge completed
12. CTSB cannot cover all meetings — staffing issue.
    1. Canales said those Stockbridge boards and commissions with paid secretaries could be trained to operate Zoom equipment.
    2. White hoped that all meeting could be covered as in a population of 2000 Stockbridge has 1000 over 65
    3. Canales said it might cost $20,000 to $30,000 annually to cover all
    4. Hart and Brouker seemed to favor in-person meetings; Cardillo seemed concerned about the cost
    5. White said follow Canales’ suggestion and bring up the expenditure at the special Town Meeting and let voters decide
13. One-day alcohol licenses approved for events at Chesterwood, Norman Rockwell Museum, and Berkshire Botanical Garden
14. Finished appointments for this year (list in this issue). Apparently, there was heightened interest in SB representatives to Stockbridge Bowl Association (SBA) and Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission (SBSC). The Chair decided on the basis of seniority, that is, length of time on SB. Longest-serving member Cardillo selected SBA and second-longest White selected SBSC.

Meeting adjourned