Editorial

Editorial: Right from the Start

Right from the start: Stockbridge believed the business of the people is the people’s business. Stockbridge faced the problem of decreased funding to CTSB and solved it. Right from the start, Stockbridge knew it wanted transparency and citizen participation. Stockbridge wanted those who live here year-round and those who leave in the winter to have access to all Town meetings of interest. We paid for and received full coverage, Hybrid access and tapes available. Yay Stockbridge!

Right from the start: one elected official realized the need for a full discussion of all tax alternatives. By now, we have received, or become aware of, our new property valuations on which our real estate tax bill will be based. Due to the influx of new residents, bidding wars on land, the tearing down and building much bigger houses, the valuations/assessments went up precipitately. Now everyone understands the need for full discussion and sober consideration of options — need never to allow sober discussion to be cut short by slogans, a headline, a petition with no signatures (just a typed list), and curated facts and figures.

Right from the start: our Town employees explained when valuations go up, the rate goes down. However, the assessments are so much higher in so short a time, it is difficult to make the rate go down far enough. The laws of the Commonwealth only allow Stockbridge to reduce the rate by so much. The law requires we base a lower rate on reality — the difference between estimated costs and the actual costs — the difference between estimated income and actual income — the difference between covering costs only versus covering costs and creating a savings account.

Laws, including tax laws, drive outcomes. A sober, measured, and polite discussion of options must continue enhanced by an understanding of the desired outcomes. Not just because it is required by law, but because right from the start it was the right thing to do.

Right from then start: the people of Stockbridge knew, based on long history, that working together and being open to all options results in the best outcomes. Even trying, and thereby testing an option sometimes gives us the data we need.

Right from the start: SU pointed out that Stockbridge remained a beautiful and livable village for almost three hundred years. Stockbridge did it based on simple rules of conduct — how we treat and talk to one another — simple respect for nature and the artifacts of our ancestors — and that we face problems and solve them. Stockbridge was right from the start and should continue. Ignore the tumult — stay calm and carry on.

by Carole Owens , Managing Editor

News

SU FYI

1. Great good luck to the wonderful individuals and nonprofits coming together to save the 355-acre North face of Monument Mountain. Thank you for your Herculean effort on behalf of Stockbridge.

2. Thank you to our Town Assessor for all his hard work on the 5-year re-valuations.

Click here to review your prior and current assessment. Click here to review your assessment.

3. Congratulations to Waldorf School — contracts signed and fundraising going well. Waldorf is restoring a school to the village and restoring a key building — a piece of our history. Thank you.

4. Congratulations to the Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV) For the month of November, BAV has been selected by local Big Y store leadership to benefit from the Big Y Community Bag Program. Shoppers can give back to the local community, help to reduce single-use plastics and support BAV and other Berkshire not-for-profits.

5. Congratulations to Michael Roisman for standing in the rain and knocking on doors and securing 136 actual signatures of Stockbridge voters requesting continued discussion and a formal vote on the Residential Tax Exemption (RTE). Wherever you stand on the issue, this is democracy in action.

6. A warm thank you to the Stockbridge Community Bulletin Board on Facebook for boosting and recommending Stockbridge Updates.

News

Events

Vote!

1. Vote! Early voting October 22 – November 4. Election Day November 8.

Congregational Church presents Lake Mahkeenac Radio Theater

2. The First Congregational Church presents Lake Mahkeenac Radio Theater — Come one come all for food, fun, singing, and storytelling. Tracy Wilson on piano, JoAnne Redding, Nashville Recording artist, vocals, and David Anderegg, Host. At the First Congregational Church of Stockbridge on Main Street — 6pm — Free of charge but a $25 donation at the door is suggested. All proceeds benefit the restoration of the 1824 church

BBG 8th Annual Rooted in Place Ecological Gardening Symposium

3. Berkshire Botanical Garden 8th Annual Rooted in Place Ecological Gardening Symposium “Seeding Community in the Garden”, November 13, Lenox Memorial High School, 10am to 5pm. Also…

November 5 — DIY Herbal Spa Day and November 12 — Home Curing

Volunteer Fair

4. The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires in partnership with Berkshire United Way and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is hosting a VOLUNTEER FAIR on Friday, November 4, from 12 noon to 3pm at the Berkshire Innovation Center. Meet with 30 nonprofits seeking volunteers. This event is free — register in advance so we have enough snacks and tote bags for everyone! Walk-ins are welcome but only those who register will be eligible for door prizes. To register http://www.npcberkshires.org

Lee Board Of Health — Notice of Adjudicatory Hearing

5. From our neighbors in Lee — Lee Board Of Health — Notice of Adjudicatory Hearing

Notice is hereby given that the Lee Board of Health will hold an adjudicatory public hearing on November 19 at 10am, located at the Lee Middle and High School Auditorium located at 300 Greylock Street, Lee MA 01238. The purpose of the hearing is for the Lee Board of Health (LBOH) to determine, under the legal standards of MGL c. 111, Sections 31 and 143, 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. More information available at https://stockbridgeupdates.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/tri_town_hearing-1.pdf or at jim@tritownhealth.org

News

Notes from the Special Select Board Meeting, October 17, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Patrick White, Chair
• Chuck Cardillo
• Jamie Minacci
• Michael Canales
• 38 people present via Zoom
• Approximately 50 attending in person

1. Chair called the meeting to order and introduced the single item on the agenda: Main Street Redesign
2. Three possibilities were suggested
   1. Do nothing beyond required maintenance ($150,000)
   2. The “oval” and raised crosswalks with flower beds ($550,000)
   3. The roundabout ($3million plus taking private property, and reconfiguring the corner)
3. Canales explained option #b was the preferred plan and option #c was eliminated as too costly and too radical a change. Also, there were expense and problems attendant on the Town taking private property.
4. Consultant engineer Van K. explained option #b in detail. He also explained the crosswalk plan including removing the crosswalk at Minkler’s Insurance. It would add a crosswalk at Red Lion Corner (from Pine Street to Judy Abdalla’s). The crosswalks would be raised
5. White opened the meeting to public comment — 20 people spoke
6. Mark Mills — opposed to removal of crosswalk (at Minkler’s). Preferred roundabout. Asked consultant if the two remaining crosswalks were too far apart? Consultant: No. Asked about eliminating #c. Consultant said it was too expensive and there was not enough room for it — would have to take land from three of four corners to meet state requirements.
   1. Cardillo suggested taking out crosswalk at Minkler’s “try it” and put it back if doesn’t work.
   2. White asked, “Do we have to remove the crosswalk?” Canales “It could be a liability issue as it does not comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. It is risk/reward.”
   3. Fred Rutberg stated his opinion that option #b is not an improvement. He wants the roundabout and is opposed to removal of crosswalk
   4. Joanne Conroy opposed to the additional crosswalk at Pine and Main (at Abdulla’s)
   5. Paul Sundberg wanted to do nothing until after testing whether removing the one stop sign at Pine and Main solves the problem
   6. Tom LaBelle wanted a “citizen board” — a study committee of residents familiar with the corner to suggest options. Also asked if Planning Board and Historic Commission were asked to comment
   7. Shelby Marshall suggested arrows and signage to direct traffic (direct all in one direction like a roundabout?)
   8. Ron Brouker, Chair ConCom, feared some of the lines suggested to be drawn on pavement looked like parking area to tourists. Tourists were parking there this summer. Brouker was also concerned that raised oval at corner of Pine and Main and raised crosswalks would interfering with plowing.
   9. Pat Flinn asked how many parking spaces would be lost by moving rather than eliminating crosswalk at Minkler’s — she calculated 3 total. Canales confirmed — 3. She likes the oval on the pavement and thinks it is effective as long as folks use it properly. Cardillo agreed. He said driver should always keep diagram (painted oval) on driver’s left as proceed into intersection, “DO NOT DRIVE OVER IT”
   10. Louise Gachet believed jaywalking would increase if crosswalk removed. She also asked if the crash stats changed after speed limit reduced from 25 to 20mph Consultant said no. Consultant added Red Lion corner is NOT deemed a dangerous corner by DOT. Number of accidents were only 7-8/year and in 2022 3-4. In all cases low severity. White explained that by state law, Stockbridge has to return speed limit to 25 mph (Stockbridge only has choice between 25 and 30 mph)
   11. Someone else predicted that if crosswalk removed, everyone would jaywalk
   12. Matt Chase Vanasse, Hangen, Brustlin, Inc (VHB) said raised surfaces slowed traffic. Also shared that the roundabout impossible given MA regulations for the size of a roundabout and space available at that intersection
   13. Roxanne McCaffrey, who worked on the plan during her term on Select Board, spoke on behalf of the preferred option #b as the best to ease traffic and preserve Stockbridge Main Street made famous by Norman Rockwell and the fame and charm of the village that supports our tourist industry
   14. Bronley Boyd was concerned that tractor trailers that might be 70 feet long make the turn onto Main Street from South Street without going into oncoming traffic lane.
   15. Keith Raftery suggested any accidents were not a function of the corner itself but were due to distracted driving. Suggested signage with clear information so drivers not trying to drive and read GPS simultaneously
   16. John Hart suggested remove the stop sign which many believe causes the problem
   17. Anita Schwerner asked about a police presence directing traffic at the corner as there used to be. Cardillo was adamant “no police officer”
   18. Kate Fletcher, Chair of Planning Board, had several questions for consultant and then suggested that we abandon all three choices and proceed incrementally
   19. Jim Finnerty said $550,000 was real money and we should think before spending it. Finnerty agreed with John Beacco’s letter: do nothing construction wise. Finnerty also opposed to removing center crosswalk.
   20. Mary Hart adamantly opposed removing center crosswalk
   21. Mark Mills asked if center oval was made longer? Consultant: No. It is actually smaller
7. White thanked everyone for coming and for their “good ideas and civility”

Meeting adjourned

News

Notes from the Planning Board (PB), October 18, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Kate Fletcher, Chair
• Lis Wheeler
• Nancy Sosha
• Marie Raftery
• Gary Pitney
• Carl Sprague via Zoom

1. Discussion of whether PB should put the Main Street Redesign on the agenda for discussion. Raftery thought not. Wheeler thought yes. Sosha thought it was under PB if it included parking. Next meeting may be too late — no decision
2. October 4th minutes accepted as written
3. Canales reported on the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission consultant’s work. Originally, she was to consider parking, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and Open Space Recreational Plan (OPR). As of last PB meeting all three tabled, Canales said there may be smaller items she could address and PB could assign work
4. Notes from 4 site visits approved. (15 Lakeview Drive, 4 Stoneridge, 36 and 38 Lake Drive). Contents of notes not read into record

Meeting adjourned

News

Notes from Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT), October 20, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Tom Stokes, Chair
• Roxanne McCaffrey
• Peter Strauss
• Michael Canales, Town Administrator
• Jay Bikofsky
• David Wasielewski, identified as intern to PILOT

1. Minutes from March 9th meeting approved as corrected (March 20 meeting did not take place as scheduled)
2. 4-member committee therefore 3 is a quorum (1/2 + 1 = quorum)
3. Chair suggested adding Bronley Boyd as 5th member for his expertise. McCaffrey said Chair can’t add member, only Select Board (SB) can appoint. McCaffery added, if Boyd wants to be on PILOT, he should apply to SB
4. Chair asked is it time to re-start PILOT paused during COVID19? Members said yes
5. As step one, Chair scheduled attendance at SB October 27. McCaffrey asked why it was necessary to meet with SB? Chair said to receive their support. McCaffrey said already have their support
6. McCaffrey suggested a way to proceed: quantify value of services provided to nonprofits. For example, the water, sewer, roads, police, and EMTs provided. She used Tanglewood as example. Others agreed and suggested they create a spread sheet of the costs and then base a request for donation on that figure. All concurred — evidently, that is what they do in Boston PILOT
7. Strauss wanted to know about the nonprofit’s income stream. Wasielewski said that information is available online — it is public information required by law.
8. Bikofsky suggested looking at communities other than Boston — more like Stockbridge — to determine what they did. Ex: Northampton
9. The Chair was in contact with Lenox and Williamstown. Neither were interested in PILOT. Lenox largest nonprofit is Tanglewood, and Lenox charges BSO and receives fees from BSO for services provided. Williams College in Williamstown is largest nonprofit but is also a taxpayer. Neither wants PILOT
10. Canales said that North Adams has PILOT
11. Strauss noted that he had looked over last ten years and then he named the nonprofits that have not contributed
12. Strauss asked if organizations such as Trustees of Reservation (Naumkeag and Mission House) or National Trust (Chesterwood) pay elsewhere?
13. McCaffrey wanted to do the organizational work — that is elect chair. Chair said they did that at March meeting. However, McCaffrey said that was before elections and must do it again. Eventually it resolved with a co-chairmanship: Peter Strauss and Tom Stokes

Meeting adjourned

Editor’s note: 1. Tanglewood uses Lenox water and sewer and hires police from the County Sherriff’s Office. Therefore, calculating the cost of services provided as a baseline for a request would not work for Tanglewood as Stockbridge provides no services other than roads and bridges.

2. Wasielewski was referring to the Form 990s that not-for-profits are required by law to make public and that they post online.

News

Notes from the Board of Assessors (BOA), October 24, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Gary Pitney, Chair
• Doug Goudey
• Tom Stokes via Zoom
• Patrick White, Chair Select Board
• Michael Canales, Town Administrator via Zoom
• Peter Strauss via Zoom

1. Stockbridge has been granted the Preliminary Certification by the Commonwealth.
2. The next step is to make the Certified valuations public. For a two-week period, from October 23 – November 7, they will be available at Town web site, Stockbridge Library, Assessor’s office, and in SU — click link above in SU FYI. In addition, 953 notices of past and current valuations were mailed.
3. Blay also wanted folks to know, you can call Assessor’s office at any time
4. Stokes reported on the PILOT meeting. He said all went well, they will meet with SB on October 27th and he and Strauss were named co-chairs.
5. Public comments:
   1. Patrick White shared that he lives in a house co-owned by second-homeowner siblings as a second home so he requested that he not be considered eligible for any of the exemptions available to full-time residents should they pass.
   2. Goudey said it was one of many grey areas, and BOA should do some research
   3. White also shared that the valuations jumped so high that as SB Chair, he received a number of phone calls. He said, don’t blame Town Assessor or BOA, they are just doing their jobs and are following state law.
   4. Goudey thanked White.
6. Blay reminded everyone that when the assessment goes up, the rate goes down. However, with valuations so high only so much they can do. There is latitude with the projected and actual costs.
7. White said there was more collected than anticipated in room and meal taxes and that would help a percentage point or two
8. The Chair announced that BOA will go into executive session.

Meeting adjourned.

News

Notes from the Finance Committee, October 26, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Jay Bikofsky, Chair
• Jim Balfanz
• Steve Shatz
• Pamela Boudreau
• Ed Lane
• Jorja Marsden
• Diane Reuss
• Michael Canales, Town Administrator
• Patrick White, Select Board Chair

1. Minutes approved as amended
2. Finance Committee named Steve Shatz to a committee of the school board
3. Chair listed expensive capital improvements on next budget: Main Street redesign, Curtisville Bridge, and dredging.
4. Reuss said, “you cannot tax people to death — might have to hold back on some projects”. Shatz suggested Canales prepare a “schedule of indebtedness”
5. White said that there are funding sources to offset some of these costs, for example, for dredging, bridges and roads, and sewer. He is working diligently so that Stockbridge is eligible for those.

Meeting adjourned

News

Notes from the Select Board, October 27, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Patrick White Chair
• Jamie Minacci
• Chuck Cardillo
• Michael Canales

1. Special Permit Hearing for the property of Philip Marc Cedar & Meryl Newman-Cedar located at 56 Mahkeenac Road. Brent White, White Engineering, on behalf of the owners explained the proposed addition — an elevator — would by less nonconforming than at present. Special permit approved
2. Continuation of Special Permit Hearing for the property of FINNERTY FRANCES K C/O JIM FINNERTY located at 1 Goodrich Street — Finnerty not present — continued
3. White was invited to attend the Water & Sewer Commission meeting to discuss Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) and sewer expansion and connection to funding available.
4. White Pines Condominium Association explained a proposal for a Limited Common Area Agreement by which — Stockbridge Building Inspector could approve additions of 500 sq. ft. or less decks/patios without approaching SB for special permit because SB would identify such additions as “insignificant” — minor or non-substantial.
   1. Cardillo had “no problem” with it
   2. Minacci asked could the 500 sq. ft. be enclosed and made indoor rooms?
   3. The additions would be allowed per unit not per owner. It was estimated that there were 65 units.
   4. Ron Brouker, Chair ConCom, pointed out that 500 sq. ft. times 65 units is 32,000 sq. ft — 3/4 of an acre of additional building.
   5. White asked that a decision be postponed until after the PB weighs in.
   6. Gail Sillman was proposing a deck at her property and wanted to begin work before ground freeze. White said if she did so before approval by SB, she was taking a risk.
5. Chime Tower update: Canales said, funds approved at town Meeting and contract awarded to restore “instrument portion” of Chime Tower restoration. $195,175 awarded to “make bells playable.” The suggestion to add bels was turned down by the Historical Commission and they determined to restore chime tower to the 1973 condition.
6. PILOT — White recused himself (employed by a nonprofit) Tom Stokes reported progress and introduced Strauss as co-chair. The committee is advisory to the SB and it will proceed with creating a questionnaire and encouraging cooperation and inclusion.
7. Monument Mountain parcel discussion — upon the death of Clover Swann, 355 acres came on the market.
   1. Laurel Hill, Stockbridge Land Trust (SLT), Berkshire Natural Resources (BNR) and others have come together to purchase and protect the land.
   2. Mary Berle, Rich Bradway (Pres Stockbridge Land Trust) and Beth Miles (BNR) spoke on behalf of the land — the family’s wish that it be preserved, the great value to the Town if preserved, and their fundraising efforts. They encouraged any who wish to contribute to contact the Town or their organizations.
   3. Canales explained that Community Preservation Committee (CPC) can contribute to the purchase under its mandate, and can place a conservation restriction, but cannot own it — would turn it over to a nonprofit
   4. Who would own it? Which nonprofit not yet determined
8. Housatonic Water Works discussion — there may be as any as 20 homes in Stockbridge who have water provided by the Housatonic Water Works. Minacci encouraged any who are concerned about the quality of the water or water pressure to call Town Offices
9. Intersection discussion and update
   1. Reconsideration: do not remove center crosswalk but move it to meet ADA requirements
   2. One tree (diseased already removed — may lose another and may lose 6 parking places in one location but can pick up two or three of those farther down the street
10. Affordable Housing Trust — two appointments — Lis Wheeler reappointed to two-year term to correct earlier mistake and Patrick White appointed.
11. Building use policy discussion — Canales wants Town Offices reopened for public use and would like a policy on how to do that. What cost? Who would be charged and who have free access?
12. The minutes for August 11th, August 25th, September 8th, September 22nd and October 13, 2022 approved as written
13. Chair opened for public comment — Michael Roisman presented a petition to the SB signed by 136 Stockbridge voters requesting that the Residential Tax Exemption (RTE) be carefully considered by the SB in a public meeting and formally voted on. Roisman asked that townsfolk attend the meeting when the date is announced. (Tentatively scheduled for Nov 17)

News

The Residential Tax Exemption (RTE)

I guess it’s time to get deeper into this RTE thing.

1st how do I stand on the matter?

Speaking for myself, not the Stockbridge Conservation Commission, I’m in favor of implementing it for at least one year so we have some real data regarding how it works.

Here’s why. I recently attended an Assessor’s meeting. During that meeting our Town Assessor declared he has never seen the assessed values of homes in Stockbridge rise by so much. 13% for 2023. (Your property taxes next year will be the assessed value times the rate).

Why does that happen? There are a number of reasons why the valuations went up so much, but the primary one is what people have paid for homes for sale in Stockbridge. We all know that Covid caused mass abandonment of cities. Then those folks, with considerable resources us Stockbridgians do not have, came to town and got into bidding wars with fellow buyers. If they really wanted the house, and it was for sale for $350,000 they’d offer $400,000 cash. Deal done — town property assessments go up.

Why else am I for the RTE? Being a member of our Conservation Commission I have an opportunity to see most if not all building projects in town. Here’s why that is relevant: Someone owns a small cottage, and they want to improve it. In my experience they are not just updating the kitchen or baths, they are tearing the entire cottage down and building, what I call, monuments to money in their place. Bam! Tax assessments go up. Folks, these are not you and me, the voters and residents of our town, these are… second homeowners driving up our property taxes.

There’s the issue of division between second homeowners and voters. Really? I’m not sure that holds a heck of a lot of water. Ex: The Stockbridge Bowl Association (made up close to 100% second homeowners) sued the Town and the Conservation Commission and I might add, each member, over dumping defoliant chemicals (like agent orange) into the lake. We protested, they sued and cost the town a fair amount in legal fees. Division!? They drew that line already. I have absolutely no problem drawing the next line. The RTE.

Please urge our Select board to reconsider their recent straw vote on this issue. Ask them why they think it’s not a good idea. Also, there is a petition being circulated in town for those in favor to sign. Over 100 signatures so far and counting.

Editor’s Note: Hart asked that SU explain the 13%. He wrote this before the valuations were posted. He quoted an anticipated average of 13%. However now that assessments are posted, we see the increases range as high as 30% to over 50%. Inns the increase in valuation is $100,000 or more.

by John Hart

News

The Ballot Questions

Please don’t forget to vote on the four ballot questions that are on the back of the Ballot.

Ballot Question #1 is also known as the Fair Share Amendment or the Millionaire’s Tax. It asks voters to approve a Constitutional amendment that adds a 4% surcharge on the portion of taxable state income over $1 million. The amendment requires that the legislature can spend the revenue collected through the surtax only on public education and infrastructure.

A Yes vote on #1 means you’re in favor of amending the constitution to include an additional 4% t ax on income over $1 million. Proponents say it will improve public education, public colleges, and universities and roads, bridges and public transportation.

A No vote on #1 means you want no change to the constitution and to the 5% flat income tax rate in Massachusetts. Opponents say Fair Share would be bad for small-business owners, family farmers, and homeowners who want to sell and that wealthy residents will leave the state.

Ballot Question #4 asks voters if they approve the Work and Family Mobility Act, which allows undocumented immigrants to get driver’s licenses or learner’s permits if they can provide proof of their identity, show MA residency and meet standard requirements including a road test and proof of insurance. They can not be registered to vote or to get a Real ID. The law would go into effect in July 2023.

A Yes vote on #4 would uphold the law and allow individuals to apply for a driver’s license regardless of immigration status. Proponents say it will improve road safety and the ability to work and get places. Having a legal license will relieve immigrants’ worries about being pulled over during traffic stops. Seventeen other states plus Washington D.C. have adopted similar laws and note that the number of hit and run accidents have gone down, as well as the number of unlicensed and uninsured drivers.

A No vote on #4 would repeal the law and prevent undocumented immigrants from getting a legal driver’s license. Arguments for a no vote suggest that the law would enable people to be illegally registered to vote because the Registry of Motor Vehicles is not qualified to vet foreign documents.

Question 2 asks voters if they will approve a proposed law that has to do with dental insurance. Question 3 asks voters if they approve a proposed law that would expand the availability of licenses for the sale of beer and wine at retail locations in MA while reducing the availability of all-liquor licenses.

It’s important to be informed and then vote! Your vote matters!

by Anita Schwerner

Perspective

From the desk of Michael Canales, Town Administrator

Editor’s note: This is the second of three columns from our Town Administrator. SU selected this one because the Special Select Board (SB) meeting about the Main Street Redesign focused on the popular center crosswalk and its removal potentially causing jaywalking. So, here is an amusing take on the timely question: Is Jaywalking Illegal?

• In one corner, Publisher and Editor: Carole Owens, Jaywalking is against the law. See Chapter 90, Section 18A.
• In the other corner, Town Administrator: Michael Canales, Jaywalking is not against the law. See Chapter 90, Section 18A.
• Decision: both are right. Confused?

The law governing Jaywalking was created in 1962 making it illegal to cross the road. In 2016, an unsuccessful attempt was even made to increase the fines. This happened around the same time as the advent of the reality game Pokémon Go had reportedly resulted in an increase in distracted pedestrians and drivers, a dangerous combination.

So, if it’s a law, how can Jaywalking not be a violation of law? Chapter 90, Section 18A is not self-executing, which means that a community must approve the section of law in order to make it a violation of law. In addition, Stockbridge, through its Select Board, would have to adopt rules regulating the conduct of pedestrians and those rules have to be approved by the Division of Highways. When creating rules and regulations we would have to address those areas of the town that have few marked crosswalks or none at all.

The debate comes down to what a person is referring to as “jaywalking”. If the term is being used to describe simply crossing a roadway by pedestrians anywhere other than a marked crosswalk then it may or may not be illegal, it depends on if a community adopted the law. Remember the difference between where to cross a roadway comes down to who is responsible for yielding the right-of-way. In a marked crosswalk it is the vehicle that must yield. Outside of a marked crosswalk the responsibility is the pedestrian.

So, who won this debate? Let’s call it a draw.

Note from MC: Outside of what is Jaywalking, safely crossing Main Street is a concern and we are reexamining the crosswalk needs.

Perspective

From the Desk of Superintendent Peter Dillon

Berkshire Hills Regional School District (BHRSD)

Sorry for the break in my writing. The start of school has been very busy. Students and staff are deeply engaged in learning and growth. Highlights outside of classrooms include the fall sports seasons and playoff runs in golf, cross country, volleyball, soccer and football. The Fall Festival of Shakespeare is also going great. As importantly, the high school has formed SAAB, the student adult advisory board, and 53 students and 10 staff held a retreat at Camp Hi-Rock where they started crafting plans to make shifts in 5 areas. More on that work soon. The annual Halloween window painting project is underway. Make sure to see the artists’ work in Great Barrington’s storefronts.

Berkshire Hills Regional School District has always been entrepreneurial in raising funds to support innovation. We just received more than $1.5 million in two grants to support its afterschool and summer programming and its continued redesign of 9th and 10th grade curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant

We were awarded 3 years of continued 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant funding to support innovative educational and enriching afterschool and summer programs delivered through Project Connection.

Project Connection served over 225 unique students in grades K-12 during the 2021-22 school year and summer, with an average of over 95 hours of support per student during the school year. 17% of these students were ELLs, 16% on IEPs, and 62% from economically disadvantaged households.

Barr Foundation Grant

Monument Mountain Regional High School was awarded a two year, $500,000 grant from the Barr Foundation to support our on-going redesign of our approach to learning and teaching.

The grant supports:

• Improved student learning and growth.
• Increased rigor.
• Refining our advisory curriculum.
• Refining our schedule.
• Better measuring student learning and growth through departmental proficiencies and performance indicators.

As always, feel free to reach out to me with any questions — Peter.Dillon@bhrsd.org

Next issue, I’ll share some updates on our work with English Language Learners.

The Last Word

Reader to Reader

To the Editor:

During my recent visit to Stockbridge and my old neighborhood of Interlaken, I was taken aback to see the bridge closed at the intersection of Rte. 183/ Willard Hill and Interlaken Crossroads.

My understanding is this bridge has been closed for about 10 yrs. Could it be open for pedestrian traffic at least?

Is this continued closing due to state, federal money, or historical preservation concerns?

Could some light be shed on this?

It seems that the only one benefitting from this is the nearest homeowner / street parking / lack of traffic. For a town in the spotlight as one of the best towns in the USA, just closing it seems shortsighted.

Thank you,

John M. Johnson

Dear Mr. Johnson,

In large part it is due to a grant Stockbridge received, many years ago, from Mass Historical Commission. Grants from MHC come with conditions. Now to do the work MHC has to approve it, and because of their requirements, it is cost prohibitive. Whether for pedestrians or cars or both, the same requirements apply and drive costs.

Thanks for asking,

Carole

Carole:

As you may know, on November 19, 2022, the Lee Board of Health will begin to formally review the hazardous potential to its citizens’ health and safety caused by the dump proposed to store the waste produced by GE in Pittsfield during the last century. I applaud the Board for taking this step, and the Lee Selectboard for supporting them; I expect the other boards of the Tri-Town Board of Health to stand behind the Lee Board as well. This is not about stopping the dump; it is about ensuring the safety of the people who live in Lee. This is the job of the Lee Board of Health.

Charles Kenny MD

Editor’s note: Kenny is Chair of both Tri Town Board of Health and Stockbridge BOH

Carole,

Thanks very much for your Stockbridge Updates every month! I value and look forward to reading what’s going on in town. Professionally done, excellent!

Bob Dziuban

Hi Carole,

I have a question for you. When I get Stockbridge Updates, the print (and pictures) are larger than what fits on my screen even though I have expanded the screen to its max. This makes for hard reading as I have to scroll across each line and then back. I’m sure there is an easy fix for this which I haven’t been able to figure out. How can I fix this.

Thanks for your help,

Maria Carr

Dear Maria,

At the top of the email, there is a logo. If you click on it, the entire issue is displayed from a website, rather than within your email program. Some email programs don’t display emails properly, but nearly all web browsers render pages in way you should be able to read. To test this approach, just visit: https://www.stockbridgeupdates.com

Carole