Editorial

Editorial: The Biggest Ever

Stockbridge never changes very much or very fast. It is 283 years old, and over much of that time, the population of Stockbridge stayed almost the same. Main Street looks like it did when Rockwell painted it. He started Home for Christmas in 1953 and didn’t finish until 1967. Stockbridge Main Street didn’t change in those 14 years or in the 55 years since. We were a village then and we are a village now.

On the other end of Main Street, we did move the casino (a reading room and social hall then — the Berkshire Theater Main Stage now) and placed the Mission House on the spot. Austen Riggs and Daniel Chester French did not want the McKim Mead and White building raised so they moved it, but that was almost 100 years ago. Elm Street got reshuffled. Exercising Yankee thrift, a house was moved not torn down. In its place, a mini-strip was built — too small to call it a strip mall. Nope not much changes in Stockbridge and not very fast.

This week, our Town Assessor said, “This is the biggest change in values that we have ever done.” Michael Blay was referring to the change in property valuations.

According to the Department of Revenue (DOR), in Massachusetts, Assessors and Boards of Assessors value all taxable property. They “do not assign or create value, they discover value based on location, size, condition, comparable sales price, etc.”

If there is a single house much more expensive than others, it can be labeled anomalous, and dropped from the valuation calculation. However, if the market overall changes, so do the valuations. That is what is happening here and now: “biggest change ever.”

During COVID19, there was a “flight to safety”. Many sought houses in lower density areas. At the time Stockbridge became better known. The two caused a major change. There were bidding wars that drove up prices. Houses purchased were torn down and larger, newer, costlier houses built. The householders were commonly second homes and so teh percentage of second homeowners grew.

Real estate taxes are based on a rate (percentage) of the valuation. The rate is the same for everyone, but valuations vary. Even if you did not tear down, enlarge, or improve your house, your valuation probably went up as a function of the whole market.

There was a great bruhaha about taxes last month, but the discussion didn’t begin at the beginning. The beginning is “the biggest ever” increase in valuations and the concomitant rise in taxes.

One elected official realized what was happening and tried to open a discussion about how to lower the taxes for locals. They didn’t cause the tax increase and they could least afford it. We will have to do something to maintain the village life, we all, townies and outlanders, love.

by Carole Owens , Managing Editor

News

SU FYI

1. After forty years…

There are folks who quietly, efficiently, and cheerfully keep the wheels turning. There are folks who know what needs to be known without sounding like a know-it-all. Folks who are Johnny-on-the spot when someone needs a hand. There is a person in every organization that you cannot imagine that organization without. For forty years that was Pat Flinn and the Laurel Hill Association. Now, after forty years, Pat Flinn is stepping down from the Board of Directors. Godspeed, Pat and thank you Pat for all you did.

2. Midterm Elections —

Ramelle Pulitzer, President, League of Women Voters of Central Berkshire County, wishes to remind everyone that the Midterm Election is November 8. Early voting is October 22 – November 4. Make sure you are registered to vote and VOTE!

3. Beacco’s Thoughts —

Former Selectman John Beacco has a suggestion with respect to Red Lion Corner. “Do nothing! Eliminate the crosswalk at Red Lion Inn and St. Paul’s during high traffic time. Painting and painting out a crosswalk — cost negligible. Park a cruiser with an officer in it or standing beside it. Alternately, the officer could stand beside Civil War monument. The cost of the officer, there, intermittently, as necessary would cost far less than the “Main Street Redesign.” The Commonwealth does not identify that corner as dangerous. The number of accidents and degree of injury or damage are not significant.

CO-YAY! —

4. Chris McCarthy, Council on Aging Chair wished to thank everyone who worked and made the reopening of the Senior Center such a success. Mazzeo’s food was delicious, the entertainment fun, and over 80 persons attended.

News

Events

Stockbridge Senior Center —

1. Stockbridge Senior Center, October 19th at 11:00am. Police Lt. Kurt Nichols will speak about safety concerns for our elderly. Scams are very real in today’s society and seniors are vulnerable. This is one of the subjects he will discuss. Meet our local law enforcement and bring your questions and thoughts. Pizza will be served and it’s FREE!

Library Ax —

2. Stockbridge Library Emanuel Ax Benefit Concert, October 30, 2pm Linde Center. Tickets from $125 – $1250. Order online http://stockbridgelibrary.org

BBG Rooted —

3. Berkshire Botanical Garden announces 8th annual ‘Rooted in Place’ ecological gardening symposium. Sunday, November 13, 10 to 5 p.m. at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School’s Duffin Theater. Both in-person and online options are available. To register, visit BerkshireBotanical.org/rooted or call 413-298-3926. The cost to attend in-person is $85 for BBG members and $110 for non-members. Students: $55. (For the online-only option &mdas; BBG members: $45; non-members: $55.) Please note that financial aid is available for all BBG classes. Contact BBG’s Director of Education Bridgette Stone at bstone@berkshirebotanical.org for more information. Student scholarships and group discounts are available. Registration deadline: Nov. 11.

News

Notes from the Agriculture and Forestry Commission, October 3, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Matt Boudreau, Chair
• Lisa Bozzuto
• Via Zoom: Abby Fredsall, Erik Rasmussen, Shelby Marshall
• Michael Canales
• David Mateos

1. Minutes of the last meeting approved as written
2. Mateos, from Harvard University, is doing sampling and analysis of soil in Ice Glen. Ice Glen is one of very few old growth forests. They are testing to determine what fungi and bacteria are in old growth forests that are recovering. Hypothesis: as old growth forests degrade, they are more vulnerable and as they recover they are more resilient. If that is true, and they can determine makeup of soil in recovering forests, perhaps can help other forests to be more resilient. Results will take a year to arrive at — DNA sequencing and other tests — however they will share results with Commission when available
3. Farmer’s Market report. Chair said SB approved $5000 for this calendar year for a coordinator of farmer’s market. $5000 will pay someone $20/hour, 20 hours/week for 12 weeks. Chair will work with Canales writing a job description. The SB will hire the coordinator, and program can get underway. Chair thinks first year no charge to farmers in order to boost our market and after that rental for stall will pay for coordinator.
4. Discussion of commission’s philosophy
   1. Bozzuto suggested management, maintenance, preservation and conservation
   2. Marshall said Gould Meadows, Lake Averic, and Stockbridge Mountain have special meaning to Town. Wonders if logging should go on around Lake Averic?
   3. Chair said that Sewer and Water oversees the land and forest around Averic, and Gould Meadows is under ConCom, but Marshall wondered if he could meet with them or their forester to share thoughts
   4. Suggested one Town-owned forest be left alone entirely
   5. Marshall repeated logging could decrease quality of water
   6. Canales questioned “worst first” philosophy. For example, treating areas of Ice Glen in worst condition first. Maybe treat areas of forest in better condition first

Meeting adjourn

News

Notes from the Water and Sewer Commission, October 4, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Don Schneyer, Chair
• Peter Sosha
• John Loiodice
• Michael Canales
• Tony Campetti, Sewer Superintendent
• Michael Buffoni, Water Superintenden

1. Minutes accepted as written
2. Buffoni reported
   1. DeSisto Pump Station being worked on — cleaned up vault and added humidifier. Electricians will be installing a backup generator — redundancy
   2. Succession Plan — Campetti and Buffoni will retire at roughly same time in approx. 8 years. It seems like enough time to rehire but there are multiple licenses after much required training. Therefore, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) wants a succession plan. There are some current staff who might wish to be trained for the positions
   3. Progress has been made on all the Warrant articles passed at Town Meeting. The only one with no progress to date is study of possibility of using water as an energy source.
   4. New digital meter reading equipment — training
   5. Swann House (renovation of former Agrippa Hull House) tapped into water system?? Apparently, Swann property had its own water system but now this house will be on Town water (?)
3. Tony Campetti reported
   1. Park Street Pump Station — work under way — completion by Spring
   2. Inflow and Infiltration (I\&I) study continues — results not in but preliminary findings look good
4. Public Comment: Denny Alsop commented on the importance of Kampoosa Bog and the studies of the Bog completed and underway. The Bog is not in the watershed of either lake Mahkeenac or Averic, but still could inform us about calcareous rock — that is — water running through limestone and therefore very high in calcium which describes Stockbridge water

Meeting adjourned

News

Notes from the Planning Board, October 4, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Kate Fletcher, chair
• Lis Wheeler
• Wayne Slosek
• Marie Rafferty
• Nancy Sosha
• Via Zoom: Carl Sprague
• Jennifer Carmichael

1. Minutes of September 20 meeting approved as written
2. Discussion of Open Space and Recreation Plan tabled by Chair (apparently discussion of Accessory Dwelling Units also tabled by Chair)
3. Public Hearing: 38 Lake Drive
   1. On behalf of 38 Lake Drive Brent White of White Engineering: 2140 sq ft centered on lot to improve setbacks, and below 50% coverage of lot
   2. Chair said plan improved storm water runoff, and was in agreement with conditions for approval, for example, no traffic congestion created, does not overload public facilities, is in keeping with character of neighborhood
   3. Permit approved with conditions: Lighting not intrusive or excessive and property maintained.

Meeting adjourned

News

Notes from the Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission (SBSC), October 7, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Roxanne McCaffrey, Chair
• Sally Underwood-Miller
• Gary Kleinerman
• Michael Nathan
• Via Zoom Jim Wilusz, Director TriTown Health and Pat Kennelly, President Stockbridge Bowl Assocaition

1. Minutes of last meeting approved as written
2. Discussion of Lake Management Plan section on Education and Public Awareness. Jim Wilusz led discussion
   1. Teach how to “contribute to the health of the lake.”
   2. Use all means to disseminate information CTSB, and Internet as well as flyers and postings at beaches
3. After years of service on ConCom, Underwood-Miller had many ideas. For example, the desire for a weed-free lawn harms lake. Also, clearing land to the lake shore harms lake — leaving native growth down to shore protects lake and also discourages geese.
4. Problem of diseased trees — hemlocks and ash — around lake and in Bullard Woods
5. Kennelly shared that Stockbridge Bowl Association would appreciate more robust harvesting next year.

Meeting adjourned

News

Notes from the Board of Assessors, October 11, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Doug Goudey
• Michael Blay
• Via Zoom: Gary Pitney and Tom Stokes
• John Hart and via Zoom Peter Strauss

1. Valuations in review by Department of Revenue (DOR) — preliminary acceptance
2. Required public disclosure of new valuations
   1. Zip codes outside 01262 will be mailed by end of this week (October 14)
   2. Those in Glendale and Stockbridge (01262) can go to Town Offices, go to Town web site, or go to the library to see new valuation
   3. It will show old and new valuations
3. Blay said “This is the biggest change in values that we have ever done.”
4. Stokes said first meeting of Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) will take place October 20 — new members to committee Peter Strauss and Roxanne McCaffrey

Public Comment

1. Strauss — new valuations should be mailed to locals as well not just outside zip code especially because Blay said this was “biggest change in valuations ever.”
   1. Blay wanted to do only what required by Commonwealth — outside 01262 zip code
   2. Strauss pressed for mailing to locals — Blay — no change
2. Hart wanted to hear pluses and minuses about Residential Tax Exemption (RTE) — returned after holiday to find many disgruntled locals re: RTE — petition circulating — he recognizes Blay is opposed but wanted to hear both sides
   1. Blay said he had no position on RTE
   2. Goudey said Assessor and Board of Assessors should stay in their lane — do daily business and not get involved in policy. Blay concurred solely up to Select Board — not Board of Assessors
   3. Brief discussion on whether RTE is a progressive tax and only is with respect to locals
   4. Hart said he knew second homeowners who were not opposed — they understand their activities — building and renovating — have raised valuations of local homes “biggest ever seen” and only fair to institute RTE to reduce that sharp rise for locals

Meeting adjourned

News

Notes from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, October 12, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Patrick White
• Ranne Warner
• Selina Lamb
• Jan Ackerman
• Lis Wheeler
• Don Eaton
• Via Zoom: Andrea Lindsey, Stockbridge Housing Authority (SHA) and Patti Caya

1. This was the first meeting of the newly established Trust Fund
2. White thanked Jay Bikofsky for the work he did as chair of the committee to write the establishing documents. White also thanked his fellow-select board members (Chuck Cardillo and Jamie Minacci) for approving the Fund
3. By law, all members will have two-year terms. All members must be sworn in by Town Clerk before they can serve and vote. Therefore, this was an introductory meeting for discussion only
4. Warner and Ackerman volunteered as chair and vice chair. Formal vote at next meeting
5. According to establishing documents, the Trust has funds for a secretary and agreement that one would be hired. White, if appointed, would be happy to serve as treasurer. (The Town treasurer would be the working treasurer and the Trust Fund treasurer a liaison)
6. White said two seats are still open. Any who wishes to serve should contact the SB
7. Members were alerted to the importance of observing all Open Meeting Laws (OML)
8. With a full Trust Fund of 7, 5 would be a quorum
9. Warner had a suggested list of five areas of study and activity. Members chose area of interest
   1. Fundraising — Jan Ackerman
   2. Information gathering from other Towns — Selina Lamb
   3. Pine Woods — Lis Wheeler
   4. Heaton Court — Don Eaton
   5. Organizing agendas to include experts and possible partners (such as Andrea Lindsey, SHA, Sally Underwood-Miller, Chair, Community Preservation Committee and more) — Ranne Warner

Meeting adjourned

News

Lee Board of Health: Rest of River Letter to GE

October 11, 2022
Henry Lawrence “Larry” Culp, Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Chief Operating Officer
General Electric Company
5 Necco Street
Boston, MA 02210

In Re: Invitation to General Electric to Provide Evidence at Adjudicatory Hearing

The Lee Board of Health (LBOH) invites General Electric (GE) to participate and provide evidence at a forthcoming adjudicatory hearing LBOH will hold to determine whether a large PCB disposal facility hereinafter Upland Disposal Facility (UDF) GE wants to install in Lee, Massachusetts, will or will not be a risk of health to the residents of Lee and adjacent communities.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) denied GE a permit to install the UDF in Lee in 2016 but reversed itself and granted the permit in 2020. LBOH invited EPA to participate at its forthcoming adjudicatory hearing to which EPA kindly responded by introducing into evidence at the forthcoming LBOH adjudicatory hearing the entire administrative record of its decisions to deny in 2016, and then to grant in 2020 the requested permit to GE to build the UDF in Lee.

EPA has the power under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) to preempt contrary decisions based of state and local laws. EPA does not have the power to preempt regulations of Boards of Health in Massachusetts issued to prevent risks of health to the residents of local towns. MGL c. 111, Sections 31 and 143, enacted in Massachusetts in 1861, was upheld by The Massachusetts Supreme Court (MASC) who in 1985 ruled that State and Federal Agencies do not have the power to preempt decisions of Boards of Health in Massachusetts related to health risks to the residents of a town. Arthur D. Little v. Commissioner of Health of Cambridge 395 Mass. 535; 481 N.E.2d 441; 1985 Mass.

EPA argues in its response to the LBOH invitation to participate at its forthcoming adjudicatory hearing, that Arthur D. Little Id., applies only to the United States Department of Defense. LBOH disagrees with this narrow interpretation and will request MASC to resolve the disagreement in case LBOH finds that the UDF presents a risk to the health of residents in Lee, and GE decides not to abide by LBOH regulations.

LBOH jurisdiction is limited to issues dealing with the health of Lee’s residents, thus unlike EPA it cannot make risk/benefit or cost/benefit analyses as EPA has done in granting GE the permit to install the projected UDF in Lee. It is unfortunate that before GE applied for a CERCLA permit to install the UDF in Lee it failed to seek for approval of the UDF from LBOH.

LBOH is requesting that GE participate at the projected hearing and provide all evidence it has that the UDF will not become a risk to the health of residents of Lee. LBOH will hold an open mind until after the adjudicatory hearing as to whether the UDF presents or does not present a health risk to the residents of Lee.

LBOH might disagree with conclusions reached by EPA but has no quarrel with a decision in which EPA balanced the risk of health to residents of Lee against risks of health to many others impacted by contamination of the Housatonic River with PCBs, the donation of 25 million dollars by GE to some local units, the donation of one half million dollars to Mass Audubon, and as well as other factors. LBOH has an interest in all these issues, but those factors cannot be balanced by LBOH against risks to the health of residents of Lee.

David J. De Simone, PhD, a geologist with enormous knowledge and experience and co-recipient of the 2020 EPA Region 1, Environmental Merit Award for Scientific Research, has made available to LBOH his research and conclusions regarding the proposed UDF. This report was entered into the EPA administrative record where it was balanced by EPA with other factors. This type of balancing is not allowed by the jurisdictional basis on which Boards of Health operate when issuing regulations.

The conclusions of David J. De Simone are disturbing to LBOH and would like GE to challenge these conclusions before or at the adjudicatory hearing. These are the conclusions of David J. De Simone that LBOH finds disturbing:

My primary concern for this site as a landfill is that a leak in the liner and leachate collection system will eventually occur; then, leachate will have no natural sediment barrier to flow in the subsurface. EPA has stated “First, even the best liner and leachate collection systems will ultimately fail due to natural deterioration … “(53 Federal Register 33345, August 30, 1988). The sand and gravel aquifer will become contaminated and leachate will easily infiltrate underlying bedrock. This is a poor site for a landfill (emphasis added).

The bottom line is the geology of the proposed PCB landfill location is very likely to result in leachate contamination of surficial and bedrock aquifers if leachate penetrates the landfill liners. Based upon site geology, PCB disposal in a landfill in this location is a very poor choice that may result in PCB contamination of the sand and gravel aquifer and the underlying Stockbridge marble aquifer. (De Simone’s Report found in EPA’s administrative record.)

LBOH is requesting evidence from GE disputing De Simone’s conclusions and asserting that even if his conclusions are correct, and the aquifers are contaminated, this contamination does not present risks to the health of Lee’s residents.

For the Lee Board of Health

Robert Wespiser, MD Chair; Lee Board of Health

James J. Wilusz, RS
Executive Director/Registered Sanitarian

Perspective

From the Town Administrator

I was asked about what groups I meet with regularly, how they are used to help me with the operation of the town and if this was a substantive shift in the way the town operates.

I don’t know if this process is a substantive shift in governance, but it is a process that I believe is a best practice. I was hired by the selectboard due to my organizational, communication, and community leadership skills that I had acquired over twenty years in municipal government. While I have experience in municipal government what I didn’t have is experience in Stockbridge itself.

How to understand Stockbridge and its unique challenges?

• I attend various board and committee meetings
• I met individually and in groups with the chairs of boards and committees to discuss town issues.
• I establish groups to meet with monthly to organize upcoming events, review policies, and plan for the daily operation of the town
  • Public Safety Group — Police Chief, Emergency Management Director, \& Fire Chief
  • Finance Team — Accountant, Tax Collector/Treasurer, Assistant Tax Collector/Treasurer \& Assessor
  • Public Works Group — Water Superintendent, Highway Superintendent, and Waste/Water Superintendent
  • Town Hall Staff Meetings — non department specific.

Let’s look at an issue that started in an internal group and concluded with the annual town meeting. The Public Works Group began discussing the Tuckerman Bridge and the possibility of installing a water line. We reviewed Mass DOT Bridge Inspection reports and realized that a critical failure had been identified. The bridge had its weight allowances reduced and if not addressed would have led to closure. We used engineering funds to have an assessment completed. The report was presented to the Select Board, the Water and Sewer Commission and the Finance Committee. As part of the budget process, funding for the replacement of the structure was placed on the warrant at Town Meeting. The article was approved, and work is now underway.

This process allows me to meet with small internal groups, then with appropriate public body and if needed placed on the town meeting warrant. On the way, through consensus building, we try to develop a decision that can best serve the community as a whole.

Please Note: The OML does not apply to committees or boards informally appointed by individual officials to carry out duties that are assigned to such officials.

Editor’s Note: SU asked, and Canales answered. Do you have a question? Next issue — more from our Town Administrator — some serious and some amusing

by Michael Canales, Town Administrator

Perspective

Growing up in Stockbridge

Although born in Manhattan at St. Vincent’s hospital, my early life revolved around Park Street, Stockbridge.

Grandfather Natale immigrated from Campone, Italy — a tiny village at the base of the Austrian Alps — and ended up in Stockbridge on Goodrich Street.

My Dad was the 4th child, and along with older brother Bill, developed a successful construction business after WWII. As I think back on those early days, our house on Park Street was perfect for a young boy to grow up in and thrive.

The Plain School was an easy jog over Laurel Hill which, after school, provided the perfect place to play cowboys and Indians or hide and seek. In the winter, sledding from ‘the roots’ behind the school was risky though fun as long as we didn’t end up hitting the rear of the school. Recreation Park, known as ‘the ball field’ allowed me to play baseball and shag for the older boys. In the 6th grade, I was 6’2″ and never taken for a younger boy.

Everyone knew one another on the street — the Rathburns, the Mackens, the Stewarts, the Woods, the Bodnars and Nobles. Every summer, the Wilken family would arrive. As the only black family, they experienced racial stuff from the ignorant whites. However, because they were excellent athletes, Warren and Bobby eventually reached acceptance with only the occasional verbal miscue. I remember calling Bobby a dumb “N#$$*@”.

He beat me so that I yelled, “I take it back.”

We became good friends until he died years later in a car accident. Living on Park Street was pretty routine and calm, but then Charlie Monroe would arrive.

Charlie was in his mid-50’s with snow colored hair combed down to his shoulders. He rode a broken-down bike with a basket in front, his crosscut saw carefully placed in it. I remember a smudged bag in the basket beneath the saw. It was always there although I didn’t know that until much later.

He always ended up at our house. My Mom would give him coffee and toast with grape jelly. He was a gentle and kind guy — always willing to help in any way.

Freda and Bill Macken had twins and lived on the third floor of a boarding house owned by Bill’s father. Charlie would insist on carrying the twins up the stairs. If my bike needed fixing, there was always time to fix it. I didn’t know it at the time, but I loved Charlie.

Before, he left, he always told me, “Ginino, got diamonds in the woods, but have to get drunk to find ’em.” Finally, I figured out what was in the smudged bag.

by John Beacco

Perspective

The Cemetery Commission is delighted to report the start of two major projects in the Town Cemetery

Stone Cleaning Project

The town’s cemetery consultants, Preservation, Inc., trained a wonderful, hardworking volunteer crew how to safely clean stones. Volunteers and consultants then worked side by side for a total of eight days, cleaning the stones in the oldest section closest to the road to the Vault.

The cleaning process: first stones are gently scraped and brushed to remove lichen, mold, and loose dirt. Then stones are sprayed with water, followed by a spray with a special, gentle cleaner that removes biological material. Firm but gentle scrubbing next, then rinsing with more water. The last step is more spray with the cleaner, which is left on, and continues to clean for months.

The change is remarkable. Stones that were dark gray are now off-white. Inscriptions that couldn’t be seen can now be read.

The project will continue in the Spring, with another two- or three-week training/working period. Volunteers are welcome and greatly appreciated!

Until then, take a walk and look at the change!

Conservation and Restoration of the Sergeant Gravestones

Preservation, Inc. staff also began an assessment of the condition of the Sergeant Gravestones. These two very large stones were originally set on legs, a kind of monument called a “table tomb.” At some point, the legs collapsed or broke, and the stones are now flat on the ground.

Bill Remsen and Ian Stewart, our Preservation Inc. consultants, dug around the edges to see if the legs were still there and what condition they might be in. They found evidence of some kind of support still there. They also found John Sergeant’s stone to made of very good quality brownstone. This is a bit unusual; most of our stones are marble, which was readily available locally.

They also cleaned the stones and wow! Words that we all thought had been lost to time and weather are suddenly clear to read.

The soil they removed along the edges has been replaced; the next phase will happen in spring. In the meantime, take a look. You’ll be amazed how much better they look!

by Karen Marshall, Chair Cemetery Commission

Perspective

Berkshire Botanical Garden announces 8th annual ‘Rooted in Place’ ecological gardening symposium

Berkshire Botanical Garden’s 8th annual Rooted in Place ecological gardening symposium will take place on Sunday, Nov. 13, 10 to 5 p.m., at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School’s Duffin Theater.

The theme for this year’s symposium, “Seeding Community in the Garden,” acknowledges that gardeners’ work extends beyond the soil and ripples out to communities of every type. Symposium speakers are Wambui Ippolito, Page Dickey, Elijah Goodwin, and Annie White.

Both in-person and online options are available. To register, visit BerkshireBotanical.org/rooted or call 413-298-3926.

Wambui Ippolito’s talk, “Growing in Weeds,” will address how landscape designers, gardeners, parents, and communities can approach design and create new spaces that bring a new vitality into children’s green spaces.

Page Dickey’s talk, “Bringing Meadows into the Garden,” will keep climate change and energy conservation in mind as she discusses the merits of cutting down on mowing and blowing and replacing some of our lawns with higher grass. Dickey will discuss a wide range of examples showing how beautifully meadows — however small — and meadow plants can be incorporated into our gardens.

Elijah Goodwin’s talk, “Agriculture as Conservation: Lessons for the Landscape,” will focus on how our increasingly complex environmental challenges can’t be met by wildland preservation alone. Goodwin believes it’s clear that we must also radically change our approach to intensively human-managed landscapes.

Annie White’s talk, “Ecosystem Approaches to Landscape Design: Building Resiliency Through Community,” will focus on how today’s gardeners are faced with more challenges than ever before — a changing climate, more pressure from invasive plants and pests, and more decisions about what to put into and how to manage our landscapes. White is striving to create a new culture of gardening where we move away from carefully curated gardens and become better stewards of the ecosystems within and around our gardens. White will share her ecosystem approach to landscape design that helps build resiliency through community.

For costs and tuition assistance, see the Events section of SU. Registration deadline: Nov. 11.

by Felix Carroll

Video

Video: Preserving the Sergeant/Dwight Tombs

A conversation with the consultants from Restoration, Inc. who are working in the Stockbridge Cemetery.

Video: Patrick White.