Editorial

Editorial: Elect or Appoint?

What’s the right thing to do about the Finance Committee (FC)?

Sometimes history lends perspective.

The first Stockbridge moderator, Timothy Woodbridge, was voted in on July 11, 1739, with no enumerated duties beyond running the meetings. The first Finance Committee (FC) was created in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1870 — 131 years after Woodbridge first swung the gavel. 

Many have wondered why the FC is appointed by the Town Moderator — it isn’t always. In Alford and Great Barrington, the FC is elected. In Lenox, the Moderator makes suggestions to the Select Board (SB) and the SB appoints. In Lee, without the Moderator involved, the SB appoints. The FC in Worthington, Massachusetts, one of the earliest established, has five members that are elected to three year overlapping terms. In short, the 292 towns and 59 cities in Massachusetts each do it differently. “All communities in Massachusetts are required to have a finance committee. Its members may be appointed or elected. When appointed, the appointing authority is usually either the town moderator and or the board of selectmen.” 

All this begs the question: why would the Moderator ever appoint the FC? Once upon a time, it made perfect sense because once upon a time, the main function of the FC was to prepare a budget for Town Meeting (TM) and advise TM on all warrant articles that were financial matters. So, in a way, FC was an advisor to Town Meeting under the control of the Moderator. 

Times change: In 1910 the Massachusetts General Court acknowledged the need for municipal finance committees state-wide and Chapter 39, section 16 was added to the Massachusetts General Laws. 

“Section 16. Every town whose valuation for the purpose of apportioning the state tax exceeds ten million dollars shall, and any other town may, by by-law provide for the election or the appointment and duties of appropriation, advisory or finance committees, who shall consider any or all municipal questions for the purpose of making reports or recommendations to the town…” 

The law says the choice is ours. Today in Stockbridge, the Town Administrator prepares the budget, the SB selects the articles for the Warrant, and FC advises the SB. So, the people decide what makes sense for us going forward. Whatever the outcome, the question should be on the Warrant so, at TM, the people can debate and decide.

by Carole Owens , Managing Editor

News

Notes from Water and Sewer Commission, February 14, Hybrid meeting

Present: 

• Don Schneyer, Chair
• Peter Socha
• Jennifer Carmichael, Secretary
• Patrick White
• Michael Canales, Town Administrator and Tony Campetti, Superintendent Sewer Department via Zoom

1. Canales put justification of water and sewer rates on a screen share. The rate should equal the costs including indirect costs. In both cases, Stockbridge collects more than it needs/spends. However, Canales said, it is within acceptable limits. Income is 10% over costs — $39-40,000 in dollars.
2. Campetti reported:
   1. Camera work for Phase 3 of Influx and Infiltration (I&I) study done.
   2. Items for this year’s budget: Phase 4 of I&I, new sludge pump (20 years old), two new wastewater pumps (10 years old), and do a sewer-needs assessment (where to put new sewer lines and in what order)
   3. Total cost $358,000 — use American Rescue Program (ARPA) funds? No because want to use contractor they have been working with and ARPA requires bids. Sewer Surplus Account has $358,000 so have money on hand to do it all — spend down Surplus fund. 
   4. Expenditures still have to be approved at Town Meeting
3. Water report — safety controls being installed — GPS, hydrants, and water shut offs, etc.

Meeting adjourned.

News

8 Town Regional School District Planning Board (RSDPB) 

February 2023 update

Merger Model under Consideration: In April 2022, the 8 Town Board voted (16 to 6) to continue to develop the merger model recommended by our research team — merging the Berkshire Hills Regional School District and the Southern Berkshire Regional School District into a single preK-12 district, maintaining the existing elementary and middle schools as they are, but creating a new merged 9-12 high school to be built on the Great Barrington campus. 

CVTE Focus: Enhancing Career Vocational and Technical Education (CVTE) opportunities for South County students continues to be a high priority. In 2022, South County had only two Chapter 74 CVTE programs (automotive and horticulture, both offered at Monument Mountain), serving about 47 students. By comparison, over 500 students are served by Chapter 74 CVTE programs in both North County and Central County. 

Fifty percent of our high school graduates do not earn a college degree, and upon graduation, most of those do not earn a living wage. An 8 town merged district could more than triple our current Chapter 74 offerings, with up to 6-8 comprehensive CVTE programs. A CVTE advisory group drawn from our local employers, schools, workforce/economic development groups, and colleges is evaluating over 16 possible CVTE programs, looking at local workforce needs, student interest, available partners, space requirements, and earning capacity. We expect to report that group’s recommendations later this spring (For more information about CVTE generally check out the video here.) 

Educational Visioning: With support from the Barr Foundation, we have been working with two skilled facilitators to explore what possibilities community members see for a merged high school. At site visits, interviews, focus groups, and community gatherings, our facilitators have asked: 

• What are the strengths of the two districts?
• Where are the gaps?
• What might we be able to do better together? What innovations are possible?

An interactive in-person community session was held at the Sheffield Senior Center on January 21st, and a second session is scheduled at the Great Barrington Senior Center on March 18th. A larger community meeting is targeted for mid-May. Register for the March 18th meeting here. 

Continued Work on an 8 Town Regional School District Agreement. Our 8 Town board continues to make solid progress on the governance and other operational provisions of an 8 Town regional agreement. The finance subcommittee continues to analyze various options for assessment methodologies for operating and capital costs, and that subcommittee expects to be in a position to present recommended approaches to the full board in March.

Timeline: The complexity of the assessment methodology work has pushed our targeted date for a board vote back to April/May. This new timing works well with the recommendation of certain Selectboard members that if the RSDPB makes a recommendation to merge, that recommendation be put before the voters at special town meetings this fall (rather than at the annual meetings in May/June) to allow sufficient time for presentation and discussion.

Lucy Prashker, Chair of the 8 Town Regional School District Planning Board

Jake Eberwein, RSDPB Project Manager

News

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

Present: 

• Patrick White, Chair
• Chuck Cardillo
• Jamie Minacci
• Michael Canales, Town Administrator
• Ron Brouker, Chair ConCom
• Matt Boudreau, Chair, Agriculture and Forestry Commission (AFC)
• Nick Fredsall, Parks and Recreation 
• Hugh Page, Superintendent Highway Department

1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. On automobile excise tax bill opportunity to check box and contribute to elderly and disabled and the new scholarship fund. Fredsall asked how much in scholarship fund? White joked that he knew there was “at least a hundred bucks.” Cardillo explained tat this is the first tax bill this has appeared on.
3. White introduced Chairs representing Stockbridge’s great outdoors: ConCom, Parks and Rec, AFC, and Highway Department.
   1. Fredsall — finish Town Beach parking lot, more Adirondack chairs and picnic tables, more and add to Kayak racks for easier access also on river, and finish tennis court and fence on Pine Street. Question about pickleball courts — drew alternate lines on tennis courts near Town Offices to facilitate play — call Town Offices for info.
   2. Boudreau reported an AFC hike of Town forests adjacent to waterways will be posted if others wish to join. Treatment of ash and hemlocks in Ice Glen; working with ConCom to prepare information for homeowners about hemlock and ash trees on private land, and stressed cannot use chemicals to kill infestation near waterways — The Bowl, streams, etc.
   3. Big announcement: Farmer’s Market in Stockbridge — 6 weeks this summer
   4. Brouker said infestation of hemlocks very bad around The Bowl and also on Rattlesnake Mountain Road. All hemlocks will not die and those that do not may be resistant to the bug and thereby will repopulate. Therefore, do not cut down healthy trees because “they will die anyway”. 
   5. Boudreau said there is no one-to-one replacement for hemlock, therefore, plant as many trees as a possible to replace a hemlock. Brouker said this was a hard sell because folks want the view of the water. 
   6. Brouker reported they are completing Performance Standards and proposing a Guide to Wetland Protection.
4. These reports were followed by interaction between committees. Fredsall asked about location of Farmer’s market — suggested playground area by Town Offices and also suggested a community compost.
5. Canales said good idea as by 2030 or 2035 the Commonwealth will stop taking organics at the dump.
6. Cardillo suggested that progress on saving hemlocks and ash in Ice Glen be assessed. White said there was money set aside and should be done annually
7. White said performance standards are very good — let folks in Lake and Pond Overlay District (LPOD) know what is expected and why and what the penalties are for not complying. White also asked how the Compliance Officer David Cameron is working out? Brouker said very well. White asked about budget for the position — too much too little? Canales said working well.
8. Canales went over part of the budget. It will be reviewed by SB at a separate meeting. He put up a pie chart of reserved/surplus funds. It is millions: approximately $687,000 in Water Department, $358,000 in Sewer Department, $2,600,000 in Free Cash, $2,600,000 in Reserve Fund Stabilization, $3,700,000 in Post-Employment Benefits Fund, $382,000 in unspent ARPA funds (approximately $10 million)
9. White asked if money should be set aside for dredging? Minacci said don’t know total cost and have not determined Stockbridge Bowl Association (SBA) share.
10. White said more discussion at future meetings.

Meeting adjourned.

News

Notes from the Historical Commission, February 21, Hybrid meeting

Present: 

• Linda Jackson, Chair
• Peter Williams
• Maria Carr

HC reviewed if applications made to Community Preservation Committee (CPC) were compliant with three rules required by the Commonwealth. Was it a document or artifact? Was the document or artifact historically significant? Did it preserve, restore, or rehabilitate the artifact or document? 

1. Application from Berkshire Theater Group for $124,000 — part of a multi-million-dollar project. Restore roof, dormers, and cupola. There was discussion about whether this is a restoration (which would bring it back to the year built with things like original cedar shake shingles) or a rehabilitation. Approved. 
2. Application from the Waldorf School to CPC for $100,000 plus per year for four years
   1. Chair said Waldorf negotiating to buy building — CPC cannot award money to rehab building they do not own. Assumes transaction finished soon.
   2. Chair questioned any money for roof as roof was just replaced by Town.
   3. Remediation of asbestos and other hazardous materials.
   4. Reconfigure entrance to accommodate elevator (lift), install lift.
   5. Enlarge top floor by raising roof in one area and extending useable space. 
   6. Williams said appeared to be rehabilitation not restoration — still fundable under the law — building in the historic district, and historic artifact important to history of Town. Approved.
3. Cemetery
   1. Restore old section of cemetery. 
   2. First project, after assessment, restore John and Abigail Sergeant stones. 
   3. Restoration is done in Three Steps. Step One — cleaning is done.
   4. This request is for $42,000 for Step Two.
   5. Satisfies three criteria — approved.
4. Stockbridge Library two projects.
   1. Restore 8 of 9 Daguerreotypes by Anson Clark who photographed people and places in West Stockbridge and Stockbridge in the 1840s and 1850s. Clark lived in Stockbridge. He photographed Agrippa Hull (the ninth of the nine images already restored.) Approved.
   2. Digitize documents. Our Town Counsel has said digitizing does not meet the criteria. Williams researched and found many other CPCs in many other Massachusetts towns fund digitizing. “Our TC too strict.” Matter of common sense that digitizing preserves. Chair said approve project and is must use administrative funds up to $4999.
5. Patrick White, Chair SB, via Zoom invited the Historic Commission to attend a SB meeting with the Historic Preservation Committee to discuss what they do.

Meeting adjourned.

Editor’s note: 1. A building is considered an artifact; parts of the building can also be artifacts. 2. A Daguerreotype was the first publicly available photographic process; it was widely used during the 1840s and 1850s.

News

Notes from the Board of Assessors (BOA), February 21, Hybrid meeting

Present: 

• Gary Pitney, Chair
• Doug Goudey
• Tom Stokes
• Michael Blay, Assessor
• Tammy Toupence, Secretary
• Peter Strauss via Zoom

1. Necessary changes to online map (for example change in name of owner/tax payer), BOA budget, and annual report will all be complete by end of week.
2. Vehicle excise tax bills mailed this week.
3. Abatements and exemptions decision made — Berkshire Scenic Railway application for nonprofit exemption declined.
4. Stockbridge has “no uncollectables”
5. Plan to discuss alternative to Residential Tax Exemption (RTE) postponed so Blay can get answers to questions he has for TC and to prepare a spread sheet.
6. Reporting for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT), Stokes and Strauss “tweaked” a questionnaire that they will ask a sample of nonprofits, selected businesses and second homeowners to fill out. It will be reviewed by SB and in a public meeting. Strauss added that the nonprofits were selected because they charge admission. Tanglewood was not included due to current leadership upheaval — include later.

Meeting adjourned.

News

Notes from the Planning Board (PB), February 21, Hybrid meeting

Present: 

• Kate Fletcher, Chair
• Carl Sprague
• Lis Wheeler
• Marie Raftery
• Nancy Socha
• Gary Pitney
• Wayne Slosek
• Patrick White
• Patty Caya and Peter Ungaro via Zoom

1. Minutes approved as written.
2. Lis Wheeler reported on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHT) as follows:
   1. Those eligible for affordable housing earn 80% or less of the median income. In Berkshire median is $63,159 (different median incomes in different parts of county)
   2. 25% of school children live in Pine Woods (affordable housing)
   3. No housing that our police, fire, or Town workers can afford.
   4. No stock for first home buyers.
   5. Stockbridge meets the State requirement for affordable housing. The combined housing at Pine Woods, Heaton Court, and Riverbrook reaches the percent required.
   6. Pine Woods may need $3-5 million in repairs.
   7. Wheeler said, “we have lots to learn” therefore AHT doing needs and resource assessment.
3. Fletcher said short-term rentals are crowding out what otherwise might be lower cost housing stock. We should close the loophole and allow short-term rentals to be owner-occupied only to slow the process of short-term rentals by investors/businesses.
4. Chair introduced discussion of two new bylaws proposed by SB Chair Patrick White: Residential Inclusionary Development Bylaw (RID) and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)
   1. RID requires developers of 10 units or more to build 1 affordable housing unit for every 10 units built (3 for 30, 4 for 40 etc.) or developer can pay into the AHT. 
   2. ADUs by right if inside a house; by permit if a separate structure, limit 900 sq ft, primary residents only, owner/occupied.
   3. The PB considered the two as they prepared for the public meeting. There were questions and clarifications as they prepared to make their recommendations. After the public meeting PB will put their recommendations to the SB in a report. The SB will place the two bylaws (as is or as amended) on the warrant for TM.
5. Public Comment — Patty Caya said the proposed ADU Bylaw makes second homeowners second class citizens. Her husband, Peter Ungaro, asked what if a house with an ADU is sold to second homeowner? He was also concerned if domicile and primary home were synonymous?
6. In response, members pointed out that allowing absentee renters opens Stockbridge housing stock to investors which drives up prices and diminishes housing stock; both further exacerbates the problem of providing workforce and affordable housing, and houses for first-time homebuyers. 

Meeting adjourned.

Editor’s note: AHT has $50,000 from American Rescue Plan (ARPA) for needs and resource assessment plus $225,000 from the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). 

News

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

Present: 

• Ron Brouker, Chair
• Joe DeGiorgis
• John Hart
• Lisa Bozzuto
• Jamie Minacci
• Sally Underwood-Miller
• Chuck Kohrer
• William Loutrel

1. 104 Interlaken — rather than a hearing, this was a discussion and setting a date for site visit. Underwood-Miller explained there was trouble placing the notice in The Berkshire Eagle.
   1. Former RJ and Brigette MacDonald property — last permit issued 1991.
   2. Land within the Lake and Pond Overlay District (LPOD) to be disturbed. 
   3. Loss of 1000 sq ft of LPOD buffer zone
2. Performance Standards not completed as Town Counsel had objections.
   1. Meet with her and get issues resolved.
   2. For example, why cut out part that demanded the contractor sign the plans because 90% of problems due to contractor not building what was approved.
   3. Next meeting get a final version.
3. Underwood-Miller concerned about PCBs combining with creosote and becoming “many times more toxic” — reports of dogs living near river dying of cancer.

Meeting adjourned.

News

Notes from “Coffee and Conversation”, February 13, Hybrid meeting

Present: 

• Patrick White, Chair Select Board and Host
• Senator Paul Mark
• Representative Smitty Pignatelli
• 51 present in person
• Approximately 20 present via Zoom

1. White welcomed Mark and Pignatelli
2. Mark and Pignatelli made brief opening remarks and for almost two hours, answered questions. The following topics were touched upon: housing, education, regional planning, Zoom meetings and Community Television for the South Berkshire (CTSB).
3. Pignatelli is concerned that the Area Median Income (AMI) in South County is lumped with North Adams, Adams, Florida and is, therefore, not accurate. Housing programs are based on AMI and South County (SoCo) is, therefore, not qualifying for state support as it should. Smitty believes home ownership “breaks cycle of poverty” and SoCo needs more programs. He supports Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as part of a solution.
4. Sally Underwood-Miller expressed support for Pignatelli’s position and said the market has driven housing prices in Stockbridge beyond the reach of many. It is sad that there are so few kids in Town and young families.
5. Pignatelli — other Towns give money for down payment without necessity to repay as long as the recipient stays in the home for a certain number of years.
6. Mark said Commonwealth should look for state-owned properties that can be converted to housing.
7. Pignatelli said contractors are looking for 150-unit projects and five to six story buildings to convert. SoCo doesn’t have them.
8. Christine Rasmussen hoped there would be more money and support for Berkshire Regional Planning (BRPC) as they study, provide data, and plan for Berkshire County’s future. She also expressed support for remote meetings.
9. Kate Fletcher was opposed to shared services — thought they did not work and that there would be conflicts.
10. Pignatelli strongly disagreed.
11. White said Stockbridge was sharing services in areas such as EMS/Ambulance and Tri-Town Board of Health and was investigating other areas such as water and sewer.
12. Anita Schwerner thanked our representatives for coming and asked for support for CTSB which is a community service and relies on a mandated percent of Spectrum fees for survival. However, Spectrum subscriptions are going down in face of streaming and other alternatives.
13. Pignatelli agreed and said the whole county, all 30 towns and 2 cities not just 5 SoCo towns, should band together and negotiate with Spectrum.
14. Ranne Warner, Chair, Affordable Housing Trust, introduced the newly formed Trust and said it would be applying to the Commonwealth for money.
15. Jessica Toro said her husband works in the school system. There are many issues: the condition of Monument Mountain; the mistake of sunsetting the in-school breakfast and lunch programs, and the relationship between the cost and scarcity of housing and the small number of school children. Toro has a small business and mentioned the inconvenience of travelling to Boston for certain certifications, and problems with hiring enough staff.
16. Rich Bradway, Chair, Stockbridge Land Trust, talked about the combined effort of the Land Trust, Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) and Mass Wildlife to purchase a 351-acre tract on one side of Monument Mountain.
17. Denny Alsop talked about the Housatonic Watershed Organization and the efforts to “clean up” the Housatonic River (remove PCBs). The 60-acre storage area (“which is a settling pool”) is too close to river and many other problems.
18. Ron Brouker brought up the problem with current electric bills. His bill jumped from $200 – $500 in one month. Pignatelli asked if he had electric heat — Brouker does not. Brouker asked where to look for solution. Pignatelli said it is under control of Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and he suggested with the new Governor there is opportunity to replace commissioners who have been a “rubber stamp” for rate hike requests from utilities.
19. White thanks Pignatelli and Mark who in turn thanked White.

Meeting adjourned.

News

Notes from the Agriculture and Forestry Commission (AFC), February 6, Hybrid meeting

Present: 

• Matt Boudreau, Chair
• Lisa Bozzuto 
• Shelby Marshall
• Abigail Fredsall, Erik Rasmussen via Zoom
• Michael Canales, Town Administrator
• Sally Underwood-Miller, representing ConCom via Zoom

1. January 9 minutes approved as written.
2. Canales posted an ad for a director of the Stockbridge Farmer’s Market.
3. Discussion of trees near and around waterways including Stockbridge Bowl
   1. No removal without ConCom approval
   2. ConCom requests replacement trees and that those replacements be native trees
   3. No chemicals should be used around waterways
   4. Suggest that AFC prepare a list of these simple rules on one sheet of paper to be passed out at TM
4. Underwood-Miller mentioned an alarming assertion that a high rate of cancer in dogs is occurring and is apparently due to chemicals (PCB and creosote) combining for greater toxicity.
5. Marshall is coordinating tours of forests adjacent to watershed
6. Prepare stewardship plans for Ice Glen, Gould Meadows, and Stockbridge Mountain.
7. Put up signage for Ice Glen
8. Annual report and budget due (no money needed)

Meeting adjourned.

News

Notes from the Board of Assessors (BOA), February 6, Hybrid meeting

Present: 

• Gary Pitney, Chair
• Doug Goudey
• Michael Blay, Assessor
• Tammy Toupence, Secretary
• Tom Stokes via Zoom

1. Deed changes (name on deeds) done by this week. Only 3 changes to make on the map.
2. Goudey pointed out an error online (name of taxpayer does not appear)
3. Annual Report for Town Report due
   1. Evaluation and tax rate changes
   2. Assessor’s budget should include new cost for appraisals.
4. Deadline for real estate abatements and exemptions was January 19 
5. When the Residential Tax Exemption (RTE) was turned down SB voted to include all other tax-relief options. BOA should discuss and make recommendation to SB.
   1. Beside RTE, there are three others allowed by the Commonwealth: for the blind, for the elderly and for veterans. However, the senior tax exemption is only $500 — Stockbridge could recommend to the State that it be more. 
   2. In addition, Stockbridge has choices. For example, senior exemptions could fall under 41D which is a senior exemption based on income and equity and 41C 1/2 which does not take equity into consideration when determining eligibility. Stockbridge adopted 41D but could consider 41C 1/2. Stockbridge already adopted 41D but could shift to 41C — a municipality may only have one or the other. 41C 1/2 does not take income or equities into account in order to qualify. Stockbridge adopted both the Agriculture and Forestry Exemptions although neither takes income or equity into consideration to qualify.
   3. Chair said taxes pay the bills and have a responsibility to Town so BOA has to watch exemptions.
6. Goudey pointed out that all exemptions are made up somewhere else and don’t decrease income to Town. Any exemption is paid by reimbursement from the State or from the Town Overlay Account.
7. Blay said letters went out requesting of nonprofits a list of any real estate they own and how it is used.
8. Stokes reported Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) created questionnaire and selected 6 nonprofits to send it to and discuss it with.
9. Stokes also announced he will not run for reelection after 6 years of service on BOA. The Chair and the Assessor thanked hm for his service.

Meeting adjourned.

Editor’s Note: 1. When the state reimburses Stockbridge for statutory tax exemptions (for those over 65, those who are veterans or those who are blind), they are using tax dollars. If there is still a shortfall, Stockbridge uses funds from the Overlay Account which is part of Town budget and therefore, tax dollars. In short, the Town receives the money it needs to pay its bills because what one taxpayer is relieved of paying another taxpayer pays. This shift is true of all tax exemptions not just RTE though somehow folks only seemed to realize this with RTE. 

2. There are other tax exemptions (besides RTE) that do not take income or equity (assets such as a bank account) into account when granting the exemption, for example, Agriculture and Forestry exemptions. 

News

Events

1. Upcoming events at Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives: 

Cookbook Club, Thursday, March 2 at noon

Berkshire Chamber Players Concert, Sunday, March 5 at 2:00pm — Call or email the Library to reserve your seat!

Make Shamrock Slime at our Monthly Slime Squad, Tuesday, March 7 from 3:45pm to 4:30pm.

Book Club Discussion of An Immense World by Ed Yong, Thursday, March 9 at 4:00pm. 

Basic Watercolor Techniques for adults and teens with Lexi Weiner, Saturday, March 11 at 1:00pm. 

2. Berkshire Botanical Garden Calendar listing: 

March 31 – April 30: Berkshire Botanical Garden presents “Nest/Emerge,” an art exhibition featuring works by Elizabeth Cohen, in the Garden’s Center House Leonhardt Galleries. An opening reception will be held Friday, March 31, from 7 to 9 p.m. The gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

News

SU FYI

1. This is the 65th issue of Stockbridge Updates. In 2 1/2 years SU covered almost 500 Town meetings, published over 1,000 photographs, and welcomed more than 400 contributors and letter writers to our pages. Jump in — follow three simple rules (see SUPolicy below) and what you write, SU posts. SU is a purveyor of news and a forum.

2. James J. Wilusz, Executive Director of Tri-Town Health, shared that $75 Gift Cards are available in South County for those getting their COVID Booster Shot.

Residents 5 years old or older are eligible to receive a $75 gift card to Stop and Shop, Cumberland Farms, Target, or Walmart between February 21st and March 31st for getting their COVID Booster shot at the Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative’s ongoing clinics, while supplies last.

Appointments are required and there are slots available most weekdays 10-4 and some Saturdays 9- noon at the Tri-Town Health office in the Airoldi Building located at 45 Railroad Street in Lee.

Vaccines eligible for the $75 gift card include Pfizer Bivalent COVID Boosters for ages 5 and older. Flu vaccinations also will be available for ages 6 and older but are not eligible for the gift cards. All vaccines are provided at no cost to patients, although it is asked that participants bring their insurance card and COVID card, if applicable.

These $75 gift cards are being provided by the MA Get-Boosted Program in accordance with the Vaccine Equity Initiative, which works with rural communities to increase vaccine acceptance and access. 

Appointments are required and can be made by going to https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/tritown. People needing assistance with registration or who have questions about how to get their primary series of COVID vaccinations or can contact Jill Sweet at 413 717 7209. Further information on this program can be found at www.sb-phc.org 

3. At its February 8 meeting, the Stockbridge Council on Aging announced the SB selection of its new director, Roxanne McCaffrey. Congratulations Roxanne! 

Thank you, Chris McCarthy, Jack Gremli, and Theresa Zanetti for your hard work getting the Senior Center up and running.

4. 2023 Local Election, Stockbridge Town Government, here are the open seats. Want to run?? Pick up papers at Town Offices.

3-year Term:

Selectman
Board of Assessors
Board of Health
Parks and Recreation
Sewer and Water

5-year term:

Planning Board

5. Did you know? Town Meeting and Election Day used to be reversed. We voted first and attended Town Meeting (TM) after election day. At TM, winners were announced.

Why was it changed to voting the day after TM? Maybe there was a good reason and perhaps someone knows what it was.

The thing is, it might have been better the way it was and here’s why. Anyone running for office may be constrained at TM and say very little. Anyone running would not want to say the wrong thing, defend the wrong position, turn off a voter, and lose that vote the next day. It seems unfair to the candidate and to us who might benefit from hearing all points of view — especially from our representatives. Unless there is some good reason, let’s vote first and have TM second.

The Last Word

Reader to Reader

To the Editor:

A letter published in Vol. IV No. 4. gave a brief history of Stockbridge town governance in the course of making its case for the town Moderator to retain sole power to appoint the Finance Board. 

The threat the letter is responding to is an initiative it styles “a few disgruntled citizens” seeking to change a hallowed institution in a fit of pique over some position the town Finance Board has taken on RTE. [Residential Tax Exemption]. 

The letter is sparse on details of the proposed change, but, apparently, it is to make the Board in some measure elective. The letter addresses the appointive-versus-elective question by pointing out that the Moderator position with its power to appoint, is itself elected and that our current moderator has been duly elected to that position continuously for over 40 years and, further, previous to that he had been a member of the board himself. 

This is truly an impressive record of service, and it is astonishing to realize that there are Stockbridge natives, now in middle age, who have only ever lived under the care of a single town Moderator and the Finance Boards he alone has appointed. 

The title “Moderator” somewhat understates the power inherent in appointing the town’s most important and influential board, especially when exercised over long, continuous stretches of time, don’t you think? I can’t help wondering if the position had been called something like, “Appointer of the Finance Board”, there wouldn’t have been more turnover in the office.

Thankfully, the title of Moderator will not be changed, and rightly so. The initiative to make the Finance Board elective may well fail. Still, something might already have changed. Don’t be too surprised if, going forward, candidates running for Moderator face a newfound expectation of transparency concerning how they propose to use their prospective appointive powers and those having a record of appointments made may be asked to publicly account for that record, especially with regard to the Finance Board. Again, rightly so.

Brent Wiggans 02.17.2023

Perspective

‘Nest/Emerge’ Opening in Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Leonhardt Galleries

Berkshire Botanical Garden presents “Nest/Emerge,” an art exhibition, from Friday, March 31, through Sunday, April 30. Featuring works by Elizabeth Cohen, “Nest/Emerge” will exhibit in the Garden’s Center House Leonhardt Galleries. 

An opening reception will be held Friday, March 31, from 7 to 9 p.m.

The gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

In Nest/Emerge, Cohen explores relationships between natural and imagined forms through layers and patterns, re-contextualizing them. The works invite viewers to experience quiet moments and unexpected delights. Incorporating hand-thrown porcelain, mulberry paper, wasp nests, and other materials found in nature, Cohen’s art beckons the viewer to connect with the botanical world.

“I find inspiration everywhere: the natural world, microscopic images, landscapes, shells, bugs, bark, leaves, pods and seeds,” she said.

A studio potter living Wellesley, Mass., Cohen explores cycles of birth, life and death, growth and decay, rhythm and change. She explores varied metaphorical nuances, such as family, security and comfort, through nesting sets. 

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Japanese Studies from Tufts University and a master’s degree in teaching from Simmons College.

Her work has been exhibited in recent years at the Boston Sculptors Gallery, Boston; The Mill Contemporary, in Framingham; Worcester Center for Craft; River Oaks Arts Center, in Alexandria, La.; and Fuller Craft Museum, in Brockton.

Gallery hours for “Nest/Emerge” are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. — 3 p.m. 

For more information, visit BerkshireBotanical.org.

by Felix Carroll

Perspective

The Algonkian Language: A Window into Indigenous Culture

The language we use reveals our values, and the words we hear help to shape our beliefs. The Algonkian language provides a window into the mindset of the people indigenous to the Berkshires.

You might be surprised at how many Algonkian words you already know.

• ôhô (uh-huh) = yes
• moz = moose
• makezen = moccasin
• Masajosek = Massachusetts (the place of the big hill)
• Kwenitekok = Connecticut (the place of the long river)
• skôkw or segôgw = skunk (sometimes pronounced seekonk) and many, many more, such as racoon and tomahawk

The Algonkian language belongs to the Algic language group. The languages in this group can be mutually unintelligible because their vocabularies have evolved separately over thousands of years, but they all share the same structural elements, and account for 70% to 80% of all the languages in North America. 

• Rich vocabularies reveal the traditional importance of such things as kinship ties, beavers, and snowshoes.
• We encounter values of cooperation and responsibility, in contrast with Colonial values of competition and ownership.
• This Native American language reveals a dynamic view of the world not found in Indo-European languages.
• Examples: The word for “chair” literally means “a stiff thing you sit on”; One word for “beaver” means “the cutter”; English nouns are simply labels; in Algonkian, such words reflect dynamism and purpose.

Editor’s Note: Wilcox teaches a course through Olli. The purpose of the course is to use the language to delve into other aspects of the culture. For a full description, click here: www.berkshireolli.org.

by Michael Forbes Wilcox

Perspective

History

In 1965 Arlo Guthrie placed the famous ‘a half a ton of garbage’ in the cellar hole of ‘Orchard Hill’, formerly of my great grandparents. (may they rest undisturbed by all contentiousness though he was a lawyer) in the Stockbridge Graveyard. But Arlo’s genius, was to be persuaded by some ‘b&w glossy photographs’ to pick the garbage back up, and Stockbridge got ‘Alice’s restaurant Massacree.’

More recently, just fifty years ago in fact, I worked with Claire Teague at the Senior Center on Castle Street in Great Barrington. I pause to muse, but just for a moment, upon how suddenly I find I am now referred to as a ‘septuagenarian”!

One of the GB ‘Senior Volunteers’, Cleetus Lenahan (retired Principal of Searles High), came in the office upset. ‘The Electric Company’, he said, ‘is dumping all 3 or 400 transformers into Fred Mercer’s gravel pit, next to Monument Mountain High School. Cleet and Claire and Ted Coyle ‘pressed’ me to look.

I drove into the area, where a white flatbed was backed to the pit, which went down 40 feet to the pooling water table. A huge transformer, 300 to 500 gallons, slid off, crashed, broke open and slid and spilled PCB oil down the slope. Another truck arrived with a group of smaller units and did the same.

Pause a minute here to praise the SPD! Smile at the thought of carrying ‘the Cop equipment’ down to the cellar hole. Why didn’t I do that? That I carry to my grave. Well, I was young. I got a phone call at 1 AM which was kind of a death threat. But that phone call made me into, ‘oh no’, an activist.

Fifty years later, as we plan for a new High School, the leadership of Stockbridge must be ‘wary’ of buying into polluted groundwater and vapor stage airborne contaminants in the air at the site of Monument Mountain Regional High School. 

I am most pleased that our Select Board has appointed Bill Vogt to the BHRSD. And thank you, Bill for stepping forward at this critical time.

Editor’s Note: Denny Alsop is a Former Member of BHRSD School Committee

by Denny Alsop

Perspective

Emergency Planning

Berkshire Hills Regional School District (BHRSD)

From the Desk of Superintendent Peter Dillon

by Peter Dillon

Emergency planning is a part of our work that isn’t often discussed. We work closely with local and State police as well as local fire departments. We meet monthly to both plan and drill for a wide range of possibilities. While our three schools are in Great Barrington, officers from other towns especially Stockbridge often respond first. We appreciate the benefits of mutual aid. 

In the last few weeks, we have faced three safety challenges: a swatting incident, weather related cancellations, and a recent car accident.

The swatting incident was when someone made a call threatening to shoot up our high school. Police responded, we went into a lock down stance when teachers, staff and students were secure in rooms, and police then searched the building and ultimately declared it safe. While the event was troubling to students, families and staff, it did afford us an opportunity to practice our training. Everyone stepped up and took the perceived threat seriously. Ultimately, the call was seen as a hoax and the incident continues to be investigated by the police and the FBI. 

The decision to call a snow day is a complex one. I check in with highway superintendents, the bus company, and colleague superintendents. I try to let families and students know by 5:30AM. 

Earlier this week, a student had a car accident at the entrance to the high school. The student crossed Route 7 hitting a car driving North. The student had lacerations and was treated at Fairview Hospital. Police and Fire Fighters responded. 

In each instance, we rely on planning and training to respond to safety concerns. Students and staff responded well and were ultimately safe.

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

For future updates, I’ll share some details on our work with the High School Building Committee, the budget, and the on-going efforts of the Regional School District Planning Board. 

by Peter Dillon

Perspective

Curtisville Bridge

From the Desk of the Town AdministratorCurtisville Bridge

When I first arrived in Stockbridge one of the main concerns was the condition of bridges in Town. Engineering had been done on some bridges, one was under construction and a few had concerns identified during their bridge inspections. Working with department heads, the select board and various committees we develop plans and funding to proceed on all but one. 

That one outlier was the Curtisville Bridge, a bridge constructed in 1842 near one of the first wood-based newsprint paper mill in the U.S and among the oldest stone-arch bridges in the state.

A letter from MassDOT Chief Engineer Thomas F. Broderick required the town to close the bridge in 2012. The determination to close the bridge was based on a loss of mortar and cracks forming in the arch, arch wing, and foundation stones. The bridge was in poor condition and prior to its closing, the Town had reduced the weight limit on it to three tons. Prior to these concerns the Society for Industrial Archeology (New England Chapters – 1997) identified that drainage from the road above is causing fill behind the wall to wash away, and the iron railing is also in need of repair.

In 2015 the Town undertook a study to make the necessary repairs with a grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission, which gives them final approval for ten years on any proposed work. The study was completed by Foresight Land Services, Inc. and JDB Consulting Engineers but the work identified was never done.

During site visits in April and May, 2020 by Foresight Land Services, Inc. and JDB Consulting Engineers, respectively, the existing bridge structure was observed to have deteriorated significantly. Specifically, they observed that the abutments are being undermined by erosion, the stones are continuing to separate within the arch and upstream walls have continued to fail. Therefore, the decision was made to move the utilities off the bridge structure.

In the end, this stone masonry arch bridge has served the community, however, it has now exceeded its intended service life and has many issues which have not been addressed. Do we remove the bridge and rebuild the walls, build a new vehicle bridge, or build a stone arch pedestrian bridge? We will be discussing and determining a course of action over the next few months in preparation for this year’s town meeting.

by Michael Canales