Editorial

Editorial: Paralyzed

I listened with interest and concern to the last Conservation Commission meeting (ConCom). According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, “Conservation Commissions are the municipal environmental agencies in Massachusetts.” 

The Commonwealth mandates all communities have a ConCom because of the important work they do, “They are responsible for protecting the land, water, and biological resources of their communities. Conservation commissions are volunteers who work long hours to achieve community conservation goals. ” 

Con Com members are volunteers. They are willing to take on the special job of protecting us and our resources. We cannot stand by if any member of ConCom, or any board is paralyzed. For all our sakes, they ought to feel free to do their jobs and we ought to support them. Those are our resources and ConCom members are working on our behalf.

It’s not all smiles and thankyous. All of us like to think freedom means we can do whatever we want — especially with land we bought and paid for. However, whether speeding or building too close to the water’s edge, there are laws that say we can’t. ConCom is often the place where we hear about laws and regulations that limit what we can do. That means the ConCom meetings can be contentious. 

During the last ConCom meeting, members discussed their feelings having been sued over a decision. In addition to suing the Town, each individual member was named. It was chilling.

I am not a lawyer, but a lawyer told me “That should never have happened. The threat of being sued would paralyze officials acting on behalf of the town. That is why there are laws shielding them.”

There are various immunities — judicial, legislative, and qualified. For example, “Chapter 46. Actions Under 42 U.S.C.A. § 1983 § 46:6. Qualified immunity…Public officials are eligible for qualified immunity in relation to their discretionary actions, so long as their conduct is objectively reasonable and does not violate clearly established constitutional or statutory rights.” 

I cannot interpret the foregoing, but as a citizen of Stockbridge, I can hope, in the lawsuit that named them individually, every effort was made to protect members of ConCom and to exclude them as individuals. I can hope that every effort will be made in the future. Otherwise, good people working on our behalf are punished. Otherwise, they are paralyzed and prevented from protecting Stockbridge — from keeping Stockbridge safe and beautiful for generations to come. 

by Carole Owens , Managing Editor

News

SU FYI 

Today at the Senior Center

1. Today at 11am at Stockbridge Senior Center (in the Town Offices). Peace, Love, and Chocolate with Jack Gremli. Fun and a pizza lunch with special treats from Peace Love and Chocolate (our local shop in The Mews). Join us!!

Coffee and Conversation with Sen. Mark and Rep. Pignatelli

2. A brief report on Coffee and Conversation with Representative Pignatelli and Senator Mark (Monday February 13) was attended by over 50 people. Lively conversation about a variety of issues went on for a little over two hours. Select Board Chair Patrick White thanked them for coming and they, in turn, thanked White for arranging it. If you missed it, it was a hybrid meeting, and will be available on www.CTSB.org

SNAP Fundraiser

3. Our Market Match Fund campaign “Double SNAP for a Great(er) Impact” will be available on the crowdfunding platform FundRazr in March! Growing the Market Match Fund is a win-win. Boost sales for local farmers and increase food security for our neighbors. In 2022 the Market Match Fund assisted 10 Berkshire-area farmers markets in doubling SNAP benefits $1-for-$1. This effort supported over 4,500 low-income households in purchasing local foods. AND generated more than $200,000 in sales for local producers. This is your opportunity to join us in making 2023 the most impactful farmers market season yet. Together we can Double SNAP for a Great(er) Impact! 

Get It Delivered

4. A reader reminded us — In Stockbridge, the post office box number has to be on all correspondence for it to be delivered into your box. For deliveries of packages, put Street Address with Box # next to it so no matter how the package is delivered, USPO, UPS, FedEx etc., it will reach you.

News

Events

Berkshire Botanical Garden

1. Berkshire Botanical Garden: “The View from Here” — Community Access to the Arts (CATA) and Berkshire Botanical Garden present an art exhibition featuring nature-inspired paintings and drawings by artists with disabilities. The exhibition will be on display at Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Leonhardt Galleries from March 3-26. The gallery, located at 5 West Stockbridge Rd., Stockbridge, Mass., is open Tuesdays through Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. An opening reception — free and open to all — will be held on Thursday, March 9, from 3 to 5 p.m. RSVP’s are requested at CATAarts.org/BBG2023.

Feb 15 Turning Lawns to Meadows

February 18 — 26th Annual Winter Lectures Tokachi

Feb 25 Composting for Beginners

To Feb 26 in Leonhardt Gallery “Volumes”. 

Visit BerkshireBotanical.org for more information.

Stockbridge Library

2. February Events at the Stockbridge Library

Saturday Storytime at the Stockbridge Library

Saturday, February 18 from 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Fairytale Science Club 

Saturday, February 18 from 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Teen Donut Decorating

Tuesday, February 21 from 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Play with Clay

Wednesday, February 22 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Wooden Tree Slice Painting 

Friday February 24 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Third Annual Stockbridge Ice Festival

Saturday, February 25 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Life as an Undocumented Person in collaboration with the Literacy Network

Tuesday, February 28 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Norman Rockwell Museum

3. Norman Rockwell Museum — February 16 and February 21 “Rockwell’s Life and Art” Guided Tours at 11am and 2pm daily

February 16 – Drawing Life with Victor Juhasz — online program

For more information www.NRM.org

Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce

4. Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce announces a free VIRTUAL Workshop “Better Financial Management Workshop” in cooperation with Williamstown Chamber of Commerce. February 23, 9am – 10am To register and for more information https://clients.msbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=150430003 or call 413.458.9077. 

News

Notes from the Finance Committee (FC), February 2, Hybrid meeting

Present: 

• Jay Bikofsky, Chair
• Jim Balfanz
• Diane Reuss
• Ed Lane
• Pam Boudreau
• Jorjia Marsden
• Bill Vogt
• Patrick White, Chair, Select Board
• Michael Canales, Town Administrator

1. October 26 minutes approved as written.
2. Chair reminded committee members to allow “a full span of time to make a comment and not cut off [anyone] in the midst.”
3. Chair discussed “role and organization of the FC.” Following are in the bylaw:
   1. Appointed by Moderator
   2. Seven members + two alternates
   3. Advisory to Select Board who decides.
   4. Required by law to hold one public meeting per year — called the Baby Town Meeting 
   5. Has oversight of Warrant items that include allocation, appropriation or debt — property disposal or acquisition.
   6. Complimented Gary Johnston for appointing an outstanding group to serve on FC — each takes annual Ethics test as all Town Committee, Board and Commission members do — Chair asked each to send in one paragraph stating their qualifications.
   7. Chair then stated qualifications of those present without including their names, for example, an innkeeper, Bank employee, former Town administrator, etc.
   8. Chair stated Finance Committee accomplishments such as “fully funding Other Post- Employment Benefits Trust Fund (OPEB) — the only town in Berkshire to do so and 8th from lowest tax rate at 8.36.
4. Chair then went through possible issues that would come before FC.
   1. Affordable Housing Trust. Canales said no role for FC now
   2. Budget items — Averic Bridge, Salt Shed, Main Street crosswalk, Tuckerman Bridge — Canales said all passed at last Town Meeting
   3. Dredge Stockbridge Bowl — Canales said 18 months of permitting before comes before FC. Could come before Community Preservation Committee next week and White mentioned there was $2.6 million in Free Cash that could be used.
   4. Curtisville Bridge — no action possible; 10-year restriction will be lifted by State in 2025
   5. Other matters were touched on but were not before FC.
5. White and Ranne Warner, Chair of Affordable Housing Trust, spoke about Pinewoods. Major repairs necessary. 100% privately owned by Construct, Inc., however they may come to Town for money. Commonwealth requires % of affordable housing in MA towns. Stockbridge meets the requirement only if Pinewood is included in that count. White: in our interest to help them with repairs but need to know extent of need, current and projected condition. Warner talked about the capital stack. White mentioned option, for example, funding Pinewoods or taking it over but first have to understand current conditions.

Meeting adjourned.

Editor’s Note: The capital stack is the structure of all capital that is invested into a company. The stack includes both the equity and debt invested to date. 

News

Notes from the Historic Preservation Committee (HPC), February 6, Hybrid meeting

Present: 

• Carl Sprague, Chair
• Peter Williams
• Jorjia Marsden
• Lisa Sauer and Gary Johnston via Zoom

1. Attorney Lori Robbins for 10 Pine Street. Barn in poor condition and was built over the property line many years ago. Propose to tear it down. Rebuild new barn for garage, office, and small apartment with condition never used for short-term rental.
   1. Johnston said it looked modern to him.
   2. Williams said researched it and it is very old, but is it significant and/or is it in historic district?
   3. Finding: the structure is not in historic district and is not historically significant. Moved accept finding – Passed 
2. Sarah Mnookin (owner) on behalf of One Dugway Road. After more investigation need to change plans to accommodate condition. (No foundation in places and much rot) submitted a redesign.
   1. New plans received and approved.
   2. Chair thanked Mnookin for consulting and working with HPC — feared too few do.
3. Chair moved to 55 Main Street. Sprague spoke to Ned Baldwin, Building Inspector, about addition at that address. Baldwin apologized “it slipped through the cracks.”
   1. Chair restated the procedure per the bylaw: Building Inspector (BI) is applied to for permit, the structure is old, therefore, BI refers to the HPC before permit granted. Chair said too often this is not done. (See SU Volume II Number 21 11/1/2021 Notes from the Historic Preservation Committee, October 18)
   2. Johnston argued that 55 Main was no longer historic due to work done by a previous owner/contractor.
   3. Chair said a former owner/occupant of that house was Margaret (Peggy) Rogers who was on the Titanic in utero and survived. 
4. Chair introduced Daniel Chester French’s garden pavilion “a pretty little thing that was always a part of our landscape and now it is gone.”
5. Chair said there was no size restriction in the Stockbridge bylaw, but evidently state Building Code overrode local bylaw. More conversation should have been had. Why wasn’t there more? It appeared Chair wanted to discuss the bylaw and whether changes were necessary to make it more effective. 
6. Johnston was anxious to weigh in. He “was appalled” that SU gave space for local voices to express their dismay and sense of loss that French garden structure was demolished. Johnston thought owner John Mullen was owed an apology.
7. Sauer tried to return to relevant subject: is bylaw protecting historic treasure? “It’s not the Lincoln Memorial but it was designed and signed by French” doubtless historically significant.
8. Chair added many don’t know how much garden design French did.
9. Johnston returned to blaming Chesterwood and SU.
10. Williams asked to look at positive — with all publicity more people aware of HPC.
11. Chair said yes, more people might know about bylaw and not “do dumb things with our heritage. Maybe they will learn the bylaws and respect them.”
12. Johnston praised Mullen for the millions he is spending to make house look “as good as possible”.
13. Chair felt out of all the millions spent, he might have found a few dollars to save the garden pavilion.
14. Williams said that Town Counsel (TC) opined that no permit was required under state law and somehow that took precedent over our local bylaw therefore no one in violation of any law.
15. Chair returned to issue he wanted to discuss — are there loopholes and weaknesses in our bylaw? For example, should whole burden fall on BI to refer to HPC? Should the process by which proposed demolition reaches HPC be in hands of one person? 
16. Relying upon a Berkshire Eagle news article, Johnston said he thought Mullens did all he could.
17. Chair said evidently BI didn’t know about the demolition, HPC didn’t know about it, Linda Jackson Chair of the Historical Commission didn’t know — no one even made a phone call to anyone in the Town government. Chair concluded “I’m a pack rat — if anyone would have called me, I would have gone over in a truck and carted it away.”

Meeting adjourned.

News

Notes from the Select Board, February 9, Hybrid meeting

Present: 

• Patrick White, Chair
• Chuck Cardillo
• Jamie Minacci
• Michael Canales, Town Administrator
• Others present via Zoom — named as they speak

1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Minutes of January 12 approved as written.
3. Beachwood-Lenstock Association Maintenance Agreement passed. Art Kreiger, President of Beachwood-Lenstock Association, thanked SB
4. Sign Bylaw moved to PB to hold public meeting.
5. White asked for reports from the Police Chief, Fire Chief and Highway Superintendent
6. Police Chief Darrell Fennelly said the department is attending to general public safety issues.
   1. Anticipate both Tanglewood and Mercy Sunday will be back to full strength after break from COVID. (Last year on Mercy Sunday only 1/2 the number of buses came as are anticipated this year) 
   2. White asked about scams — Fennelly cautioned not to respond to solicitations from those identifying as police of sheriff’s office. They do not solicit contributions by phone. The Chief mentioned other scams — such as email from a bank asking to give information and more recently scams via text — he referred folks to his article in the February 1 issue of Stockbridge Updates.
   3. White asked how recruitment for new position is going. Fennelly said it once was easy because there was a reserve force to pick from and Stockbridge was great place to work. Now Fennelly fears “not attracted to the job anymore.”
7. Chief Vincent Garofoli reported new code from the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA). Working on code enforcement.
   1. Emergency responses this time of year include alarms tripped by fireplaces. Remember to always open the flue
   2. White asked the Chief what to carry in the car as an emergency kit this time of year. Garofoli said blanket, spikes for shoes, extra gloves, charger for phone and weather radio. (Not water as it freezes)
8. Hugh Page reported working with Parks and Rec and Cemetery Commission — beautification of cemetery and Town Beach.
   1. White asked if heavier traffic on Rte 183 and Hawthorne degrade the roads faster. Page said they are “main hubs” and are 12 feet wide so traffic is concentrated — “you can see the truck tracks.”
   2. Cardillo complimented Page on how the dump looks. Page passed the compliment on to Mark Buffoni “who is doing a great job” Cardillo suggested an Open House at the dump when all work is completed. White said that was a great idea.
   3. Laura Dubester thanked Page for a return phone call when she needed information.
   4. White asked if anything could be done about cost of disposing of certain items, for example, mattresses.
9. White asked Canales for project reports.
   1. Canales said preliminary work on both Tuckerman and Averic Bridges is complete. Estimated that work on both would commence summer 2025.
   2. New lights will be installed. There will be a difference in how they look and how light itself looks but it will be great savings to Town. If any concerns, please call Canales and please read more details in last issue of SU.
10. White was concerned Pinewoods, low-income housing, Is underfunded. Has requested an engineer’s report, so SB can “work from a position of knowledge.” 
11. White said Heaton Court had a pipe burst during a cold snap. Cost to repair is $20,000. They are requesting $5000 from the Town to cover the deductible. They are also requesting an additional $5000 for a topographical survey necessary for a parking lot redesign with more spaces. Motion — grant Heaton Court $10,000 from American Rescue Program (AROA) funds. Passed
12. White asked SB member for comments? Minacci said the Mini transit — transportation on demand — delayed again.
13. White called for Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining for police — SB will not return.

Meeting adjourned.

Perspective

From the desk of the Stockbridge Police Chief Darrell Fennelly

The following is a sensitive subject but one that is very, very important. I don’t want to alarm anyone, but I am writing this because of the mass shooting crisis happening in our country and it is imperative that people are aware of it and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves in such an event. People should also be aware of what your local police department is doing in relation to these incidents. 

A lot has changed for law enforcement in the last several years in regard to mass shootings/active shooters/mass casualty situations. No longer will people wait for the “SWAT” team to show up. Our officers are trained to confront the threat immediately. There are plans in place and mutual aid responses planned if such an incident were to happen, however, our officers, even if alone, will attempt to confront the threat immediately in an effort to mitigate injury or loss of life to the public. While we do have available to us a county emergency response team comprised of officers from all over the county, regular patrol officers are now the tip of the spear in challenging any threat. 

Unfortunately, we may plan all we want but most of these attacks are random and every one of them is different in their own way. Especially the way they play out to conclusion. Some attackers fight, some kill themselves, others take hostages or flee. Therefore, our planning and response has to be flexible. There is no cookie cutter way to deal with these situations but what we have learned is to attempt to immediately confront the attacker and try to mitigate. 

Police everywhere are constantly evaluating people in their communities to see if they are capable of committing such crimes. Should we get a hint that someone we have come into contact with is capable of such an act we will certainly investigate with every possible tool available to us including our mutual aid partners, the State Police and their Fusion Center and the FBI and other Federal agencies. Here in Stockbridge, somewhat more so than other towns, we have formed relationships with outside agencies due to the great number of large events we host, such as Mercy Sunday and Tanglewood events. Constant threat assessments and regular planning are done to keep these events safe. Focusing on those events has a trickle-down effect on our officers in relation to the vulnerability to the rest of the town.

I can’t get into specifics of our operations but I would encourage people as civilians to do a simple internet search on how to react to an active shooter situation. Forethought, awareness and being as prepared as possible are ways to help survive an attack. For more information:

www.cisa.gov/active-shooter-preparedness

Again, I know this is a sensitive topic and it is uncomfortable for many but unfortunately it can happen anywhere. While I do not think people should lock themselves in a bubble or walk around in a state of anxiety, it is important to always be aware of your surroundings not only due to this topic but in general life as well. Quick thoughts of what could or should I do or how do I get out of this in an emergency situation when out and about are a good way to be prepared. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me at the station. 

Perspective

Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) Survey of Second Homeowners

Starting in April, the population of Stockbridge and other towns in Berkshire County shifts as the second homeowners return. Wanting to learn why almost 9,000 homes are being used as second homes, the Berkshire Regional Planning Agency conducted a survey to understand why second homeowners have a home here, how they spend their time and money in the region, and what their plans are for their properties. Additionally, questions were asked about how they used their home during the pandemic and how that use differed pre-and post-pandemic.

Postcards were sent to each property, and 731, about 8%, responded. Overall, the second homeowners are wealthy, educated whites from major urban areas, primarily New York City. They have a home in the Berkshires mainly for cultural activities, scenic beauty, and outdoor recreation. Many have owned their homes for over 20 years. Still, a significant portion purchased homes during the pandemic in the last two years. 

During the pandemic, most used their Berkshire County home as a second home; however, 10% used it as their primary home. Over the next year, the number who use it as their primary home will go down significantly, but the region will see an increase in the number that will rent for part of the year. In 5 years, more respondents plan to make their second home their primary home, with this number increasing over the next 20 years. Many respondents plan to hand their homes down to other family members within that timeframe. Overall, 20% plan to move permanently to the Berkshires in the future. Most of these folks will be retirees, but some plan to continue working, usually part-time, with their existing employers or in their businesses.

The results and analysis of each question in the survey are available in the full version of the report here:

Read the Survey Here

Editor’s Note: Rasmussen is Stockbridge representative to BRPC.

by Christine Rasmussen

Perspective

CATA and Berkshire Botanical Garden Present “The View From Here”

An Exhibit of Nature-Inspired Work by Artists with Disabilities

Community Access to the Arts (CATA) and Berkshire Botanical Garden present “The View from Here,” an exhibit of nature-inspired paintings and drawings by artists with disabilities. The exhibition will be on display at Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Leonhardt Galleries from March 3-26. 

“We’re thrilled to partner with Berkshire Botanical Garden to celebrate the work of CATA artists,” says CATA Executive Director Margaret Keller. “In their vibrant paintings and drawings, CATA artists with disabilities share their perspectives on nature and our beautiful Berkshires landscape. Exhibits like this bring CATA’s mission to life: Artists with disabilities get to share their talents with the wider community and draw us into their life experiences through vibrant works of art.”

“When we had a similar show last year of the work of CATA artists, it was a highlight of our very busy season,” said Thaddeus Thompson, the executive director of Berkshire Botanical Garden. “This has become a deeply meaningful partnership for us, and we cannot wait to see the artwork for this show.”

The 30-plus paintings and drawings featured in the exhibit were created through Community Access to the Arts’ year-round workshops serving children, teens, and adults with disabilities. Some of the works were created on-site at Berkshire Botanical Garden as part of an ongoing partnership between CATA and BBG, while others were created by CATA artists at day programs and residences serving people with disabilities, as well as in CATA’s studios in Great Barrington. The exhibit includes botanical studies, landscapes, and abstract paintings, each ranging widely in stylistic expression and scale of size.

All works are professionally matted, framed, and available for sale, with proceeds supporting commissions for the individual artists.

About Community Access to the Arts: CATA nurtures and celebrates the creativity of people with disabilities through visual and performing arts programs, Serving 800 people with disabilities across Berkshire County, Massachusetts and Columbia County, New York. Learn more at CATAarts.org.

About Berkshire Botanical Garden: Established in 1934 is one of the older public display gardens in the Northeast. BBG is a not-for-profit, membership-supported educational organization encompassing 24 acres. The Garden is open year-round for classes, lectures, workshops, and exhibits, and the display gardens can be visited daily from April 29 through Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Editor’s Note: Felix Carroll is Director of Marketing Communications Berkshire Botanical Garden

by Felix Carroll

Photo Feature

CATA/BBG: Gallery of Images

Photo Feature

Joan Gallos: Gallery of Images

Humor

Seeing the Light(s)!

Watching endless hours of Stockbridge town board meetings, I realized something, other than I must be retired. Not every building permit must be approved! High-powered applicants can hint they will go to court to get what they want. Once a governing Board has been subjected to lawsuits, public service may not feel the same, as the Conservation Commission knows.

Are we too late on overbuilding the lake? I am not a fan of above ground septic systems next to the water. I sure hope this concept works. My appetite for fresh trout has waned just thinking about this. 

Will a quiet evening of fishing on the Bowl this summer come to feel like New Year’s Eve in Times Square? 

My feeling about mostly glass homes in general is that, after picking up the dead birds, why turn on all the lights in the evening? As a fisherman, I experience exhausting afternoons listening to maintenance and construction equipment buzzing and pounding across the water. Will I be dodging well-lit new docks and floats laying claim to more lake? Let the twilight fall softly where it will. But then comes the night…

The Elm Court resort’s new owner said in the Eagle, “the world will hear about the project and it will shed warm light on our great towns…shine a bright light globally, and be a beacon for Stockbridge, Lenox and the entire Berkshire region.” 

She may have seen the light. I think a light bulb has gone off over my head. She may not realize that Naumkeag already has some sort of open-ended permit to shine bright lights on us from October to January. I can already feel my circadian rhythms shifting to the rhythms of “Here Comes Santa Claus” just thinking about it.

We are getting new streetlights in town, greener, maybe safer for dozens of Naumkeag patrons in dark clothing, heedlessly running across the street for their buses. We may find parking near the library if a headlight goes out.

It used to be darker across much of Stockbridge. It was like being in the country! Imagine when Elm Court lights up its beacon for the region, its global bright light. Or even someday, DeSisto, combining with Tanglewood, Kripalu, and all those big buildings on the Bowl. Sell your telescopes! Bid the night sky goodbye! Everybody’s gonna leave the light on for ya…

by Bruce Blair

The Last Word

Reader to Reader

Letter to Stockbridge Updates

After Stockbridge was chartered in 1737, the town leaders developed a plan for governance. That plan included various boards and committees which the leaders determined were necessary for a well-run town.

A Selectboard was established to be the governing body for the town. Three members were to be elected. An annual town meeting took place with special meetings being called with sufficient notice, if needed.

The position of town Moderator was subsequently, with the actual date unknown, chosen to enable the town meetings to be conducted following a proper code of conduct. The position of Moderator became an elected one. The Moderator position was further enhanced by adding the duty of appointing a Finance Board to serve in an advisory capacity to the Selectboard, as well as other enhanced duties such as appointing citizens to other positions in Stockbridge. The actual dates of exactly how this process came about are unknown by me, but it survives to the present.

The “will of the people” is evident by the fact that the current town moderator has been elected for over 40 years in our town. People respect his judgement. 

Further, the Moderator, having previously served on the town Finance Board, clearly understands that the Board is to serve in an advisory function. Since this process was established, many town residents have been appointed and served on the Finance Board. They have all been volunteers, and not elected politicians. 

The only allegiance the Finance Board has is to the taxpayers of Stockbridge, and they have functioned well in that capacity, understanding the differences between Public and Private finance.

Now, because a small group of disgruntled citizens disagree with a position the Finance Board has taken regarding the RTE, they are planning to submit a petition to the annual town meeting, mandating a change in the process of how this Board is determined.

They want the Finance Board to become a political body, thereby removing one of the foundations underpinning the financial process for our town — no political biases.

The adage, “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it,” applies here and I hope the voters will reject this proposed change.

Please note that I write this letter as a private citizen and not as a member of any board or committee.

Jim Balfanz

Editor’s Note: Balfanz is a member of the Finance Committee

To Stockbridge Updates

I recently moved to Stockbridge and have been familiarizing myself with my new home.

Thank you to Stockbridge Updates for keeping me informed. I also watched meetings on CTSB and really appreciate being able to keep up that way.

I watched the last Finance Committee meeting, and they seem to be doing important work for the Town.

I like that people weigh in on issues through Stockbridge Updates. I would like to say the Finance Committee seems really important — like the Select Board — so shouldn’t they also be elected by the people?

Respectfully, 

Vicki Count

Dear Carole,

Thank you for the News Alert about Monday’s Coffee Hour with our new State Senator Paul Mark. In addition to the reminder, I was pleasantly surprised to see that there was a Zoom link and glad that so many joined remotely in addition to a full house in-person. Stockbridge Updates is a wonderful source of information and I think you got a few shoutouts at the gathering yesterday.

Thank you to Patrick White for reaching out to Senator Mark on behalf of the town and enabling Stockbridge to be the first stop for Senator Mark’s roving coffee and conversations that he likes to call “Refreshments and ReMarks”. He was joined by Representative Smitty Pignatelli who along with Senator Mark discussed issues and responded to questions from those present for almost two hours. It was a room full of interested citizens who gathered both in person and remotely to address issues of local, state and personal interest such as affordable housing, transportation, the RTE, clean waterways and the school district. It’s encouraging to know that Stockbridge has a state senator and a state representative who understand our needs, respond in a timely manner and will help us find resources to resolve or fund those needs including our fair share of the millionaire’s tax. I enjoyed hearing the discussions and civil interaction with a wide variety of townspeople and their concerns. 

It was like an enjoyable old-time town hall with coffee and donuts. 

Best wishes,

Anita Schwerner