Editorial

A Stockbridge Undertaking

Eighty-eight years ago, the Berkshire Symphonic Festival (BSF), what we now call “Tanglewood”, was conceived of and launched in Stockbridge. Many usurp it, but there is only one true site and one true history — it happened this way.

In May 1934, Maestro Henry Hadley brought his dream of “music under the moon and stars” to heiress Gertrude Robinson Smith at her Stockbridge home, The Residence.

It was the height of the Depression — an unpropitious time to create a new cultural venue, but not to Hadley. He knew the plight of classical musicians who were only employed seasonally. From its birth, support of musicians, and “advancement and material gain to the Berkshires” were the first concerns. Outdoor classical music performances were the attractive means to that end.

Gertrude Robinson Smith was a wealthy, formidable resident of Stockbridge with undisputed executive ability. She turned to her fellow Stockbridge neighbors, Mabel Choate (Naumkeag), Georgie de Heredia (Wheatleigh), and Owen Johnson. Smith also included Mrs. Bruce Crane, Dalton, and Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, Pittsfield.

The first outdoor concert took place in incredibly short order. The BSF was formed and produced its first concerts in Stockbridge, August 1934. Dream to reality in just three months.

The first concert took place on the grounds of the Dan Hanna estate (later the Desisto School), just a stone’s throw from its future home at Tanglewood — both in Stockbridge.

Hadley died in 1937, and Smith suggested the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) as the new orchestra of the music festival. Stockbridge sisters, Miss Mary Tappan and Mrs. Gorham Brooks gave their Berkshire Cottage, Tanglewood, to Serge Koussevitzsky. From the moment the BSO was involved, the part about “under the moon and stars” was challenged. Koussevitzky wanted a roof over his head.

In 1937, Smith’s high pitched yet forceful voice demanded of a rain-soaked audience that Tanglewood must have an enclosure for its orchestra. In one night, in the Depression, between crashes of thunder and streaks of lightning, Smith raised over ten thousand dollars (more than $202,000 today).

Famous architect, and Koussevitzky friend, Eero Saarinen designed “a Palladian” for a hefty price. Smith said BSF did not have that much money.

Saarinen said, for the money you have, you can only “build a shed”.

Listen and you can just hear Smith signing with relief — that Palladian was so “un-Stockbridge”. Stockbridge resident and Select Board member, Joseph Franz built the Tanglewood Shed on time, on budget, as it stands today.

Hadley had a dream. Smith and her Stockbridge friends had the ability to make it real. It happened in Stockbridge and remains in Stockbridge (yes all of it).

Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40b6GgO9yLs and listen to Gertrude Robinson Smith dedicate The Shed, August 1938.

by Carole Owens , Managing Editor

News

SU — FYI

1. Found the Stockbridge Cane — see next issue of SU for the exciting story — now we have to find Mary Fynn’s broach
2. Tuesday August 2 Zoning Board of Appeals hearing — 8 Hawthorne variance — scheduled as hybrid meeting if the second Zoom equipment is set up
3. Very Important Message from Community Television South Berkshire (CTSB): Since Spectrum switched CTSB channel numbers to 1301, 1302 and 1303, many people think CTSB is no longer available. If Stockbridge Updates could mention our channel numbers and website www.ctsbtv.org that would be fantastic! Thank you. Rich Frederick, CTSB
4. Special thank you to the beautifiers of Stockbridge: To the Red Lion Inn and their lovely Main Street and South Street gardens; the Laurel Hill Association with a special nod to the gardenia-garden at the post office, the exceptional garden path at Stockbridge Library, and all the Main Street and Elm Street merchants who dress up for holidays and special occasions.

With respect to Stockbridge Bowl Association (SBA):

When SU sent out the News Alert, SU promised more information. Here it is.

Is there a difference between “No herbicides in Stockbridge Bowl” and no fluridone in Stockbridge Bowl — practically speaking — no — because that is the only process for which SBA had an Order of Conditions (OCC). At the July 9th meeting SBA voted not to proceed — to vacate — the OOC and has no other permission from Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

As background, in the 4/1/2022 issue, SU reported that SBA wanted to change — not vacate — the approved Final OOC by:

1. Selecting new test sites in May 2022 and
2. Selecting an extra site as back-up if once again SBA cannot find milfoil (Town precluded from harvesting in test areas)
3. Changing the proposed herbicide to be used from Fluridone to ProcellaCOR

All three require change to the final OOC. The final OOC can only be changed by the grantor, DEP. DEP only grants changes warranted by conditions: Go to https://www.mass.gov/guides/wetlands — search for conditions to change an OOC. It is a time-consuming process, and permission to amend the OOC is not guaranteed.

It is now July and requested changes — hoped for in May — are not approved. Because DEP does not allow harvesting in test areas, harvesting has been limited. Also, in the preceding seasons, testing did not find Eurasian Milfoil in the amounts required by DEP to approve whole lake treatment. Any other suggested approach might also require DEP approval.

SU invited SBA to make a submission and is delighted that they did (see below). You will note their submission is over the 400-word limit. However, it was submitted as an official document not properly subject to editing — SU is pleased to post it as written.

Editor’s notes:

1. Description of ProcellaCOR at https://www.walpa.org/waterline/june-2019/procellacor
2. With respect to ProcellaCOR use, “Recommendations and Massachusetts Use Restrictions” for use as follows:
   • The maximum permissible application concentration should be 10 ppb, applied no greater than three times per year.
   • Florpyrauxifen-benzyl should not be applied to estuarine and marine waters or to freshwater systems with direct outflow to estuarine/marine waters.
   • Methods for application of this product in Massachusetts are restricted to in-water applications and foliar applications from a boat or ground equipment.
   • Florpyrauxifen-benzyl should be excluded from use in State-listed aquatic species habitats, unless otherwise authorized in writing on a case-by-case basis by the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife pursuant to MA Endangered Species Act (321 CMR 10.14 or 10.18).

News

Events

1. Hi all: This weekend, Mission House Museum, Sat. & Sun. July 16-17th, at 11AM both days Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal member Jeff Vele will be out at our Mohican Miles exhibit in Stockbridge. He’ll be sharing his life story, humor and perspective in his talk, “It Takes Many Lives to Make an Indian.” This is a wonderful chance to hear more from those whose homelands you live upon in the Berkshires. Jeff is our Mohican News editor and has a wealth of stories in him. Registration encouraged: https://linktr.ee/mmworkshops Beyond the workshop this weekend, we really encourage you to visit the Mohican Miles exhibit other times during the open hours of Thurs-Mon 10AM- 4PM. Most days the exhibit is staffed with a Williams College student docent to engage and answer questions. Oneewe, Bonney (Hartley)
2. Stockbridge Library: Author Talk Saturday July 16th at 3 pm — Kumiko Makihara “A Family History of the Mitsubishi Company”;
   July 19th 10:30 to 11:30am,” Once in a Full Moon”
   July 27th 3:30pm – 4:30pm, Paint a Birdhouse
3. Berkshire Botanical Garden — July 18, Music Mondays – Mary Witt & The O-Tones (six-piece swing, soul and blues). Order tickets here.

News

Notes from the Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission, July 1, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• John Loiodice, Vice Chair
• Roxanne McCaffrey, Chair
• Michael Nathan
• John Hart
• Gary Kleinerman
• Patrick White
• Michael Canales

1. Loiodice called the meeting to order
2. First order of business was to elect a new chair and vice chair. Loiodice entertained nominations: McCaffrey and Loiodice nominated and elected
3. McCaffrey said SBSC meets twice a month from March to November on first and third Friday. Once a month otherwise. Asked for approval and for right to call extra meeting if needed
   1. Meeting schedule approved
4. Status of Lake Management Plan (LMP) — waiting for GZA response
5. Status of dredging permit process — waiting for GZA and costing for dredging
6. GZA has requested an additional $112,000
   1. White asked: what is this extra charge based on?
   2. Biggest increase in water quality testing — Canales will question GZA about basis for increase
   3. Questioned why any increase when work not completed
   4. Is this for work anticipated after approval of dredging permit?
   5. White asked why Stockbridge should pay if GZA bid wrong initially?
7. McCaffrey wanted an “eco-system” inventory; White said Coote completed a wildlife inventory and created a comprehensive list
8. Pat Kennelly was asked about the new test plots requested by SBA.
   1. DEP is reviewing the request.
   2. No harvesting in old or proposed test plots.
   3. Nathan said that Town could harvest The Outlet. In the meantime, Nathan asked if SBA could call DEP and “get a sense of when to expect answers”. Nathan added the summer is too short, should write or call Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) is case they have to sign off as well
9. Harvester report — no news
   1. One harvester working
   2. The other awaiting a new motor — could be 1 to 1 1/2 years
   3. Are there alternatives such as renting or borrowing?
10. White observed there are no employees on Town Beach ( position advertised and no applicants)

The meeting adjourned

Editor’s note: Dr. Thomas Coote is the Coordinator of Sustainability Programming, a lecturer in Environmental Studies, and consultant to Stockbridge with respect to The Bowl.

News

Notes from the Conservation Commission (ConCom), June 28, Hybrid meeting

Present:

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

1. Minutes accepted as corrected
2. Vincent Park (not present) continued
3. Gregg Wellenkamp not present — continued
4. Requests for certificate of Compliance by Annie Selke withdrawn
5. One Dugway Road continued
   1. Hart thinks there is an underground spring on that property and worries about sink holes
   2. No response
6. Mass Department of Transportation (Mass DOT) will resurface Mass Pike from West Stockbridge Townline to Stockbridge Townline
7. Three Ice Glen — Notice of Intent (NOI)
   1. Add patio in buffer zone (adjacent wetland)
   2. Repair stone retaining wall and weir (low dam)
   3. Underwood-Miller this is a restoration project” (restore to condition in 1920s)
   4. Also some tree removal
   5. Site visit proposed
8. Minacci — add discussion of explanatory brochure to agenda? If such a brochure for perspective buyers created, should it be coordinated with Planning Board?
9. Underwood -Miller wants to resolve Lake and Pond District (LPOD)
   1. who has jurisdiction PB or ConCom?
   2. Resolve any contradictory language
10. Hart wants completion of Performance Standards
    1. LaBelle wants short and simplified Standards “that it is not necessary to call a lawyer to understand”
    2. Buzzuto pointed out that ConCom has been working on Standards for months; document is completed and being reviewed by Town Counsel, not the moment to criticize or suggest rewrites
    3. LaBelle wants ConCom seen in positive light
    4. Underwood-Miller said if they like ConCom’s decision, it is seen in positive light — if don’t like decision, don’t like ConCom. Underwood-Miller added the important thing is that ConCom is consistent and even-handed and not worry about it
11. American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) and Kampoosa Bog — Unclear whether there was a study or report? — but Buzzuto moved to accept; motion passed.
12. Con Com needs rep to SBSC
    1. Hart volunteered but said it could only be temporary as he will be away in July and August
    2. Hart suggested he should be Chair of SBSC because the last rep from ComCom, Minaacci, was chair

Meeting adjourned

News

Notes from the Board of Assessors, July 5, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Gary Pitney, Chair
• Tom Stokes
• Doug Goudey via Zoom
• Michael Blay, Town Assessor
• Michael Canales, Town Administrator

1. Blay needs additional credits — one course — to qualify for certification and will take necessary course this year.
2. Required personal property forms almost complete — 504s done (504s are gas and electric company valuation). Blay will do 508s (cell phone companies). 100 personal property forms received and coming in steadily. 380 Second Homeowner forms returned and will be put on a spreadsheet as required.
3. Blay is having an issue with new version of software. There may be a “work-around” or may have to ask for a “custom-build” and put cost on budget.
4. Blay spoke to Donna Brewer, Town Counsel, about interrogatories (questions) to pose to Berkshire Scenic Railroad in response to their request for tax exempt status. Stokes asked for TC to attend meeting and discuss. Pitney preferred to save money (TC charges hourly rate). Goudey asked TC to suggest question for Board to discuss. According to Goudey, the basic question would be: what is occurring at the train station right now? Board agreed with Goudey’s suggestion
5. Stokes said Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT committee) is suspended until after Labor Day. PILOT has $6000+ budget of which it spent $75 on a consultant
6. Scheduling discussed

Meeting adjourned

Executive Session: Motor vehicle abatements

News

Notes from the Water and Sewer Commission, July 5, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Peter Socha
• John Loiodice
• Michael Buffoni, Superintendent Water
• Tony Campetti, Superintendent Sewer
• Michael Canales
• Daniel Pincus via Zoom

1. Buffoni reports:
   1. Requests for Bids for a construction trailer went unanswered because they would not be able to deliver for a year or more. One company did respond, and order was placed with that company
   2. New software ordered for Water billing
   3. GZA is consultant for water quality in Reservoir — data collection and analysis
   4. In an earlier meeting, Buffoni suggested using water to manufacture power. Town has now received grant *($10,000) for a feasibility study.
   5. Study will answer question: does Reservoir have water pressure and continuity of flow to justify equipment costs to create hydropower? The result of the study will be a recommendation that it is or is not “worthwhile to pursue.
2. Campetti reports:
   1. Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) Study — Phases 1 and 2 finishing up. Will use same company for Phase 3
   2. Phase 3 will begin shortly
3. Buffoni asked about service on Goodrich Street — residents getting water but basic problem not yet solved
4. SBSC report by Loiodice:
   1. Lack of motor for harvester biggest issue as the other harvester is not as versatile
   2. Suggestion we may sell that one — there is a market for it and it may not be best model for Bowl
   3. Water testing in The Bowl continues
5. Daniel Pincus asked about sewer hookup for his 8 Hawthorne property.
   1. Socha said W&S Commission not taking on cost but if Pincus wishes to do the engineering and estimate use and report to Commission — they will look at request for hookup.
   2. Canales said as part of I&I Town will look at expansion of sewer. May be 5-10-year process
   3. Pincus said to please accept that he is interested and wishes to be placed on agenda

Meeting adjourned

News

Notes from the Planning Board, July 5, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Kate Fletcher, chair
• Gary Pitney
• Carl Sprague
• Lis Wheeler
• Nancy Socha
• Wayne Slosek
• Marie Raftery

1. Questions about June 21 minutes. Apparently, Slosek, Socha, and Raftery would have preferred to include a thank you to the Berkshire Regional Planning Consultant for the work she did on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) even though the issue was tabled. Also apparently there was no vote on tabling the issue. Nonetheless, after some discussion, the minutes were approved as written.
2. Public Hearing: Lake and Pond Overlay District (LPOD) Special Permit — 14 Lakeview Drive.
   1. Attorney Lori Robbins, Designer David Potter, and Berkshire Engineering for the owner, Gail Dinicola
   2. Berkshire Engineering went over all details, house, new well, driveway, dock, and the house is connected to Town sewer
   3. Robbins: in harmony with the “Findings” required for decision — no greater nonconforming with bylaws than extant structure, further from The Bowl, no danger to pedestrians and no greater traffic created.
3. Chair attempted to place conditions on permit and included that Building Inspector (BI) would monitor compliance.
   1. Still generated discussion and disagreement.
   2. Slosek and Socha felt it put too great a burden to place on BI
   3. Chair said it was part of the BI’s job according to state law
   4. Canales clarified that Zoning Bylaw enforcement was BI’s job not monitoring.
   5. Raftery asked if BI should be consulted
   6. Jennifer Carmichael (Secretary to PB as well as assistant to BI) said BI goes to a new-build property 5 times at least
   7. Pitney reminded everyone that ConCom monitors conditions
   8. Chair made motion — then withdrawn — she made a new motion then withdrawn — finally matter dropped
   9. Attorney Robbins suggested that PB move to allow modifications/minor changes to a Special Permit without reapplying for a new permit. Moved and passed

Meeting adjourned

Perspective

SBA — The Way Forward

Submitted by Pat Kennelly

At the July 9th Stockbridge Bowl Association’s Board meeting, the Board committed to the following six initiatives:

1. The SBA will assist the Town in working with GZA to finalize the plans for the dredging process, specifically the Bullard Woods dewatering site design, in order to move to the critical steps of obtaining cost estimates and a timeline for completion of the project. When projected costs are identified, the SBA will consult with the Town to determine the availability of funding by the Town. If the Town funds combined with the monies that the SBA has already raised for the dredging project prove insufficient, the SBA will work with the Town to determine how to cover those financial gaps.

2. The SBA has agreed to help the Town obtain a more robust mechanical harvesting permit that will allow more cutting than the 10 acres currently allowed under the existing permit. The SBA will provide the resources of our lake management consultants as well as legal review to draft a new Notice of Intent for mechanical harvesting to be reviewed and filed by the Town.

3. The SBA will continue its partnership with the Town, begun this summer, to monitor and hand harvest the invasive water chestnut that has been found behind the Kwuniikwat Island and down the outlet.

4. The SBA will begin a pilot program, offering financial assistance for our member lakeside residential organizations to hand pull invasive and nuisance vegetation from their communal swimming and boating areas. The SBA will provide up to $5,000 in matching funds to each residential organization that wishes to initiate a hand harvesting program for their communal recreational areas.

5. On the issue of using the herbicide fluridone to combat invasive Eurasian Watermilfoil, the SBA has decided to not utilize the current final superseding order of condition. That order required the establishment, during a 3-year period, of two test areas and a control plot, each of which would be unavailable for harvesting and subject to a repeatable quantitative survey performed by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection approved scuba divers. The SBA found the requirements extensive and expensive without guarantee that the SBA would be allowed to perform a full lake treatment to combat Eurasian Watermilfoil for which the test was designed.

Instead, the SBA has decided to pursue the use of a newer, more targeted herbicide, ProcellaCOR, that would allow for spot treatment of Eurasian Watermilfoil. This approach provides much more flexibility in terms of area of application, timing and cost and avoid the need for full lake treatment. This new approach will require approval of the use of ProcellaCOR by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program and the filing of a new Notice of Intent for the project. There are certainly obstacles to surmount in this endeavor, but the SBA believes that this is a better approach to control the Eurasian Mifoil in Stockbridge Bowl.

6. And finally, the SBA will establish a program to protect our small parcel of old growth trees in Bullard Woods as well as an initiate a project to remove invasive plants from the forest.

by Pat Kennelly

Perspective

Stockbridge Board of Health

The Board recently held a hearing to consider approving a variance regarding a Lake Drive septic system that would lie too close to a neighbor’s well according to Stockbridge zoning parameters, but not EPA guidelines. The neighbor voiced no objection. The system was very high tech and would pose no health issue vis-a-vis the well or the nearby Stockbridge Bowl. Con Comm still had to weigh in regarding a nearby wetland. Since the request was unopposed and there was no Board of Health issue, the Board had no grounds to reject the variance request. Nevertheless, I think the townspeople should be thinking ahead about situations like this. First, there are quite a few very old septic systems on small plots along the lake in this neighborhood and they are eventually going to require upgrades to these larger systems, each of which can cost $75,000 or more. Second, when you consider the small size of the building lot versus the relatively large size of the septic field, and remember that no trees will be growing near or on the field, you will realize that a sizeable and increasing area immediately around the Bowl will be devoid of trees. Trees are not only important for wildlife habitat, trees modulate the watershed flow into the lake. They decrease the temperature of the water, slow down the flow rate, and decrease the total volume of stormwater traveling into the lake, all of which contribute to the general health of the watershed. Shouldn’t we commit to extending the sewer system into the Lake Drive neighborhood before all the residents have made substantial investments into their own systems? There are ways to temporarily put off upgrading a septic system that residents could take advantage of if they knew they could eventually hook up to the town system.

by Charles Kenny MD,, Chair

The Last Word

Reader to Reader

Dear Carole,

If you are able to add them to your Newsletter, I thought the 2 photos attached might be of interest to the readers. They show the beautiful Curtisville Bridge stone arch construction…before and after.

Thank you,

Alan Wilken

Dear Carole,

Thank you once again for your invaluable update. The news about our town and lake is depressing. The committees seem dysfunctional and out of touch. We love Stockbridge and the Bowl, but we are fearful for their and our future. Thanks for keeping us connected.

Regards,

Wayne & Nancy Alpern

Carole,

Again, thank you for supporting the SBAs 75th celebrations with your listing of our upcoming Beach Island Day. It’s a pleasure having your support as a well-read voice in our community.

Best,

Laurie Englander Dubner and Rick Rubin, Co-chairs

Dear Carole,

Love reading the “updates”. Photos are exquisite and info not only articulated well, but informative. Makes me really feel what’s going on. Thank you, Waldorf School.

Natalie Tublitz

Hi Carole:

I realize I am on your mailing list twice with two different email addresses. Please remove xxx but please make sure you keep xxx because I would not survive without Stockbridge Updates and all the important information you give us!

Thank you!

Stephanie

Dear all,

Thank you for the kind words — how nice you all are!

Carole

Dear Carole,

I dont know if this will translate well to SU but this Tiny fort was found up on the hill, right in the same spot where I saw a WHITE WALKER TURKEY. I am looking for the person/being that built the fort.

Tom Farley