Editorial

Editorial: Community Block Grant

2019-2020 

The Application: Applied for a Community Block Grant on behalf of Dalton, Becket, Stockbridge, and Sheffield. 

The Agreement: The four towns entered an agreement to divide the award: “In recognition of the responsibilities as lead town. Dalton will receive at least 30% of the housing rehabilitation grant. The remainder of the funds shall be divided equally between Sheffield, Stockbridge, and Becket.” Click here to read the agreement.

The Award: Becket, Sheffield, Dalton, and Stockbridge received $1,298,304 for housing rehabilitation assistance for 20 units and an ADA evaluation. 

2022 The Pause: 

At some point, BRPC became involved and told recipients distribution of funds delayed due to COVID.

2023 Where is the money? Not in Stockbridge. 

From Mark Mills: Hi Carole… I am glad you are looking into this, and you can quote anything I am sending. Affordable Housing Trust Chair Ranne Warner had heard that such a grant existed, and she assigned me, as a member of the Trust, to determine the status of the grant and to make a report at last week’s Trust meeting. I…heard back from Patricia Mullins, Community Development and Housing Program Manager at BRPC. She said the program has closed and all funds have been awarded. Stockbridge residents had submitted several applications of which only one met the income guidelines, and that household opted not to go ahead with the full application. So, no funds were awarded to Stockbridge. It appears that Dalton was the lead community for the grant and the regional planning commission administered the program.

What did Stockbridge lose out on? Through the https://www.mass.gov/info-details/community-development-block-grant-cdbg, small cities and towns receive funding for projects that help low- and moderate-income residents and more. This specific grant was to individuals for rehabilitation of residential structures — paint, roofs, windows, — plus money to the four towns for ADA Self-evaluation & Transition Plans for the four towns. 

Exactly how was the $1,298,304 distributed? Who was the administrator — Dalton or BRPC? What was BRPC’s role? By what authority did BRPC withhold from Stockbridge and Sheffield money awarded to all four towns? Did BRPC exercise discretion they did not have? If there was no eligible applicant from Stockbridge, did BRPC keep Stockbridge informed and, in a timely fashion, ask them for additional applicants? SU reached out to Mullins and Tom Matuszko, Executive Director, BRPC, and asked. Here is their response.

Carole Owens
Executive Editor

Response from BRPC

Dear Dr. Owens:

I do not think we have met previously but I am responding to your query as the BRPC Community Development Program Manager.

The grant you are referring to is the FY20 Dalton CDBG grant, submitted by BRPC on behalf of the Town of Dalton in March of 2020, but not awarded until December 31 of that year due to administrative delays on the Commonwealth’s part caused by the pandemic. The total amount of funds awarded to the Town of Dalton was $1,298,304.00, and the Town of Dalton, as lead community, carries fiscal responsibility for the grant.

Of the total funds awarded, $920,000 was designated for the housing rehabilitation program activity and $98,560 was designated for other planning activities. These planning activities included ADA Self-evaluation & Transition Plans for Dalton, Becket and Stockbridge. The remainder of the funds were awarded for grant administration and program delivery of those 2 activities.

With regard to the funding for ADA Self-evaluations, after the FY20 CDBG application was submitted in March of 2020, and before awards were made in December of 2020, the Town of Stockbridge successfully applied for and received an alternate source of funding from the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) in order to undertake the same project. Since that funding was available first, the ADA Self-evaluation & Transition Plan was completed by Stockbridge using the MOD funds.

The CDBG housing rehabilitation program provides 0% interest, deferred payment, forgivable loans to low to moderate-income homeowners, in order that they may correct code violations, address lead paint hazards and conduct previously deferred routine maintenance on their homes. Typical projects include replacing roofs, siding, windows and doors, plumbing, electrical and septic systems. The FY20 Dalton grant had a goal of rehabbing up to 23 homes in Dalton, Becket, Stockbridge and Sheffield, with a program cap of $40,000 per home. 

During the height of the pandemic, when this grant was being implemented, very few contractors were available to work in the program and supply chains were slow and unreliable. These factors combined to not only slow progress on the grant but also, as was the trend in most of the US home construction industry, to dramatically increase the cost of projects. The majority of CDBG projects received bids well in excess of the $40,000 cap, and in some cases more than double that. Projects over the $40,000 cap are allowed under some circumstances but require waivers to proceed. 

Since the actual cost of most projects have far exceeded the $40,000, we now anticipate completing approximately 17-19 projects by December 31, 2023, when this grant is scheduled to close. Housing rehabilitation projects require significant advance planning with the homeowner, development of a set of specifications or work order and a formal bidding process. Therefor the average project takes several months to develop, bid and complete. Only projects that are currently under construction and/or in late development stages can reasonably be completed between now and when the grant closes.

When the FY20 Dalton CDBG housing rehabilitation program opened there was a ‘waiting list’ of approximately 158 households included in the original grant application, which had been collected by BRPC staff: 78 in Dalton, 44 in Becket, 27 in Sheffield and 9 in Stockbridge. Individuals on the waiting list were informed of the availability of the grant through press releases, BRPC and town websites and other forms of direct outreach. Program information and applications were available continuously in each of the town halls and through the BRPC offices. 

The CDBG program does include many onerous requirements and for that reason and due to the volatile construction industry trends, we cannot guarantee a specific dollar amount to be spent in each partner community. The exact number of projects for each community can never be ascertained in advance, due to the unknown interest and response from income eligible households in each community. That limitation was expressed to each of the partner communities and their respective Select Boards during the preparation of the grant. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts and goals outlined in the grant and interlocal agreement, there were no feasible projects to emerge in Stockbridge. We can only provide projects where we have applicants who are income eligible and who are willing to allow the required lead testing, project development and bidding process to proceed according to CDBG rules.

BRPC has administered a number of regional grants, and in doing so makes every effort to provide projects in all partner communities. In this case the very limited interest in Stockbridge resulted in only 4 applications to the program, of which 2 were found to be over income according to HUD guidelines, 1 was income eligible but decided not to pursue the program, as well as one application received late last week with income and project eligibility currently under review. The status of the grant was reported and discussed with the Town of Stockbridge on a number of occasions, but unfortunately our combined efforts did not result in additional Stockbridge applications.

BRPC is a strong advocate for CDBG housing rehabilitation throughout all Berkshire County. We believe that income eligible households should have the opportunity to access these funds no matter what community they reside in. In the case of the FY20 Dalton grant, the responsibility to fairly and effectively utilize all of the available funds awarded to the Town of Dalton and provide housing rehabilitation services to those households in most need, must be the primary goal of the grant. 

I hope this provides answers to your questions.

Thanks,

Pat

Editor’s note: SU did inform BRPC we have a 400- word limit for articles and letters, however, Mullins responded “Hello Dr. Owens: Please print the BRPC response in its entirety. Thank you! Patricia Mullins”

SU did as Mullins asked because we believe BRPC had a right to a response and the 922-word response was all they provided.

Even in 922 words, questions remain unanswered. How exactly was the money distributed? Who administered this grant and who was paid the administration fee? If Dalton, what was BRPC’s role? Why was the Interlocal agreement ignored? Why would receipt of one grant by Stockbridge preclude accepting another? 

What’s next for Stockbridge? Something fell through the cracks and that something was hundreds of thousands of dollars for Stockbridge. Perhaps Stockbridge should create its own Community Development Block Grant Program and use a portion of the funds collected in the AHT or designate funds to help householders in our Town budget? When pursuing federal funds, perhaps Stockbridge should apply directly or as Lee is doing, hire a grantsperson?

News

Notes from the Planning Board, September 19, 2023, hybrid

At the request of three members, the PB spent the meeting sharing what they would like to review during meetings. Sally Underwood Miller, Conservation Commission, was prepared to discuss specific differences in bylaws over which PB has authority and ones over which ConCom has authority. She expressed the need for any differences to be aligned. She also said there may be minor changes associated with climate change for example ground water bylaws and aspects of Lake and Pond Overlay District (LPOD) 

Members of the PB seemed to articulate more general concerns.

Carl Sprague supported Underwood-Miller and said there was housekeeping to be done correcting small discrepancies. However, he went on, our bylaws are working, and we should leave them alone. Sprague concluded, our bylaws serve and protect the broader community by keeping Stockbridge as it is.

News

Notes from the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Public Hearing, September 26, 2023, in person only, Monument Mountain Regional High School

The DPU held a Public Hearing in response to the Housatonic Water Works’ (HWW) request for a 113% rate hike.

Representatives from DPU explained the process. There will be this public hearing followed by an evidentiary hearing and then a decision by DPU.

Bill Martin, attorney, HWW, acknowledged the serious problems with the water, both quality of drinking water and water to put out fires. He explained the costs of remediating the problems and explained that was the basis for the amount of money requested.

Great Barrington Select Board Chair Steve Bannon spoke in opposition — not to the need for repairs to a broken water system, but to the idea of burdening the water users with the total cost. Especially since a look at the financial report of HWW reveals approximately 70% of income going to compensation and very little reinvested in improvements and maintenance.

Patrick White, Stockbridge SB, produced a three-page agreement between Stockbridge and HWW signed in 1958. For that period (65 years) Stockbridge has maintained the water pipes without compensation. White requested a much lower “water only” rate going forward regardless of DPU decision.

The auditorium was almost full and many spoke but Bannon’s position was a summary of all the other comments: don’t burden the water users, investigate the amount HWW should pay, and insist on the rapid remediation of the water quality and fire prevention readiness. On Friday, September, 29, the DPU allowed Stockbridge’s petition to intervene as well as those of Great Barrington and West Stockbridge. 

News

Notes from a Presentation by Volunteers in Medicine (VIM, September 23, in-person only Stockbridge Library

Matt Mandell, MD and founder of VIM, and Board member described how an idea shared by friends grew into a thriving medical practice. Today it serves 1230 patients in 2013 visits. VIM provides medical, dental, eye, and behavioral health services entirely free of charge to the uninsured and the under insured. There are some paid staffers, but all 170 professional practitioners volunteer their time. 

VIM is located in Great Barrington on Main Street next door to the bagel shop. Reach out if you need services.

News

Notes from the Cemetery Commission, September 26, 2023, hybrid

Vice-chair Candace Currie announced this is the Last Week for Headstone Cleaning

We have one week remaining this year for cleaning marble headstones in the old section of the Stockbridge Cemetery at the corner of Main and Church Streets. We hope you can join us. 

It is scheduled from October 2nd through 5th, Monday through Thursday. 

The hours will be 10 AM to 4 PM each day, weather permitting. Stay for all or part of a day!

The public (including children age 12 and up) is invited to come and participate. No experience is necessary. Instructions will be given on site, and supplies will be provided. No sign-up is necessary but emailing intention to participate to ccurrie@stockbridge-ma.gov is helpful.

At the date and time of your choice, go to the Stockbridge Cemetery Main Street entrance for assignment. Work attire and gloves are recommended.

Several of you have asked about weekends. Thank you for your interest. We are planning to offer at least one weekend next spring to be trained by the experts from Preservation Inc. 

And now that several of us have been trained, we are considering the creation of a group of volunteers that meets once or twice a month (starting next spring) to continue cleaning the monuments. Interested? Reach out to Candace at ccurrie@stockbridge-ma.gov.

Thank you in advance for helping preserve old Stockbridge history!

News

Notes from the Affordable Housing Trust (AHT), September 21, 2023

Housing Production Plan consultant, Karen Sunnarborg, and Vice Chair Jan Ackerman reported on preliminary results of the survey.

There were 77 digital responses, of which 49 were full time residents, 24 part time residents, and 4 non-residents. 

Age was 55 years and over

Income range $50,000 – $150,000

Affordable housing rated 8+ out of 10

Consequence if no affordable housing — no service or trades workers

Key problem to having affordable housing — cost of land and construction

Proposed solutions: cluster housing, rentals, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)

78% favored redeveloping extant properties

38% favored using undeveloped land

Majority said greatest need was more young families for school and work force

Again, Ackerman said, these are preliminary results, and Sunnarborg said, “surveys inform not dictate.”

Possibly two more weeks to complete Survey and Housing Production Plan

Mark Mills reported on the Community Block Grant money being distributed by Berkshire Regional Planning Commission with none going to Stockbridge (see editorial).

Patrick White said other sources of income for AHT could be the Real Estate Transfer Tax (if it passes), future grants, and the Residential Inclusionary Bylaw.

News

Notes from the Board of Assessors, September 18, 2023, hybrid

All values in Stockbridge are up!

MA LA13 — New Tax – $144,000 — very high. Last year it was an $85,000 increase and that was high.

Valuations – $15,000,000 — that is the highest valuation ever in our Town. It is comprised of 15 new homes — 9 completed, 6 partially completed. The valuation is the highest ever and 15 is the highest number of new-builds in one year ever.

“It was a banner year for building permits” according to Town Assessor, Michael Blay.

Blay anticipates the Certification Hearing for the tax rate and abatements and exemptions will be at the Select Board meeting the second week in October. He also anticipates a “dip” in the tax rate.

An October Certification Hearing should mean we receive our tax bills earlier than last year.

The final item was placement on the Stockbridge tax bill of the road maintenance fee charged Beachwood residents. They requested it be handled this way but the Assessor wonders if it may cause problems down the road. He added he could only find one other Mass town that had assisted a private community with its fee collection by placing the fee on the tax bill this. 

Editor’s note: An “LA13” is the new growth form. It records new taxes, that is, taxes on properties never taxed before, not an increase in taxes on properties previously taxed. That would mean taxes on new builds. $144,000 added to our income from real estate taxes. Since some are not completed taxes from those will carry over next year.

News

Notes from Kampoosa Bog Committee (KBC), September 18, 2023, hybrid

The committee worked on the mission statement. The Chair explained the mission statement is critical in explaining what they are trying to accomplish to other agencies and individuals KBC wants to involve.

Draft for final approval: Preserve, protect, and restore the fen/bog by fostering community support and stewardship of the Kampoosa Bog drainage basin, the ACEC and environs while preventing further deterioration of the flora, fauna, water, and environment.

The KBC is also continuing data collection and finding a place to store it. 

Nick Fredsall took 3D images from drones.

Apparently, there was money granted in 2022 for a hydrology study — where is it?

News

Notes from the Council on Aging (COA), September 13, 2023

COA has located a foot care nurse who can be at the Senior Center the third Friday of the month for four hours 9am — 1pm. That would be time available for 8 patients.

Andrea Lindsey, Executive Director Stockbridge Housing Authority and COA Board member, reported that there was interest in a group trip to Marshalls. Chair Chris McCarthy will arrange transportation with Great Barrington (Stockbridge shares with GB.)

On the other hand the proposed November trip to Radio City Music Hall is cancelled as a nonrefundable deposit of over $650 was required by the venue — perhaps winter 2024.

The Yoga class was cancelled due to low attendance, but a gentleman attended the meeting to forcefully object and request it continue regardless of number. Chris suggested the yoga class students pay the instructor directly and then the required number does not apply.

News

Notes from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meeting, September 12, 2023, hybrid

ZBA met to hear an appeal of the Town sign bylaw. At 30 East Street, the Inn at Stockbridge was turned down for a sign bigger than allowed by the bylaw. They appealed the decision to the ZBA.

The Chair explained the basis in law for their decision is whether or not the bylaw caused a hardship. If the bylaw caused a specific hardship, ZBA could decide in favor of the petitioner. 

Mark Mills and Catherine Chester spoke in favor of allowing the larger sign. Mills said he interpreted the bylaw to mean that Stockbridge should encourage and support commerce. Chester said the appeal mentioned the higher speed limit and roadbed which created visibility issues at the location.

ZBA voted in favor of the applicant and approved the larger sign.

News

Notes from Tri-Town Board of Health (TTBH) meeting, September 11, 2023, hybrid

Executive Director Jim Wilusz reported on several issues: Tri-Town is now part of a larger, 12-town collaborative providing nursing services including blood pressure readings, flu shots, and more. The collaborative is searching for a foot care practitioner to meet a growing need. It is also waiting for the new COVID vaccine. Wilusz added that no arbovirus has been reported in Berkshire County.

Cyanobacteria and Stockbridge Bowl: TTHD recently acquired a fluorometer with the assistance and funding from all three towns and today underwent training to use it with GZA. With this instrument, the TTHD will be able to distinguish a visible scum on the water surface caused by harmful cyanobacteria from one caused by innocuous green algae. 

Prior to the acquisition of the fluorometer, TTHD issued an advisory, closed water activities in the whole lake, and kept the advisory in place for days until officials could determine if it was cyanobacteria. TTHD now can determine that almost immediately and still ensure the public health and safety. All three towns contributed to the $5000 purchase, and it will be used in Laurel Lake, Stockbridge Bowl, and Goose Pond.

The trucks carrying PCBs: The TTBH voted unanimously to hold an educational session on the transportation of the PCBs through our Towns. The doctors on the Board mentioned several potential health risks: diesel fumes, noise, possibility of accidents and spills. They asked if the truck beds will be lined? Will they be covered in tarps (to prevent air-borne contamination)? How heavy will the trucks be; too heavy for country roads? 

At the dredging and loading locations where the high, medium, and low PCB concentrations are separated — how is that done? What equipment? What possibility for spills and spreading contaminated sludge?

Are the truck routes an issue with which TTBH should be involved? Are our roads sufficient to carry the loads? 

Should TTBH hire experts to monitor the dredging, loading, and transporting. Should TTBH invite EPA to a meeting to clarify exactly what is going to happen and how best can TTBH get involved to ensure the public health and safety.

Suggestions: was the educational process flawed so that TTBH and the public was not well-informed? Should the PCB sludge be transported by train rather than trucks? This was a lengthy and wide-ranging discussion.

Editor’s note: From attending multiple meetings, SU learned that TTBH is searching for a foot care practitioner because they have so many patients in need, and the Council on Aging has found one but fears they don’t have enough patients to bring her on. They should get together. 2. At another meeting, SU learned the EPA has grant money available to pay for experts to oversee the PCB cleanup. TTBH could apply.

News

Events

League of Women Voters

1. The League of Women Voters – Central Berkshire County (LWV – CBC) will be at the Citizen Naturalization Ceremony at Naumkeag on October 11. Public welcome, say hi to Ramelle Pulitzer, President LWV, sign up as a member, and watch a very moving ceremony. 2024 will be an historic year in American politics, get involved.

Democratic Town Committee

2. The Democratic Town Committee Meet and Greet, Saturday October 14, 2023, 10am, in the Town Offices Select Board Meeting Room. 

All registered Stockbridge Democrats are invited to attend. The meeting is also open to the public. Hear about who we are, what we do, and how you can get involved. Guest speakers include State Senator Paul Mark, Governor’s Council Member Tara Jacobs and our Democratic State Committee representative, Lee Harrison. Followed by a meet and greet with refreshments. Email questions to aschwerner2020@gmail.com

Berkshire Botanical Garden

3. Berkshire Botanical Garden, Harvest Festival October 7 and 8. The beloved tradition begun in 1935 continues!!

Nonprofits: Meet the Donors

4. Meet the Donors – Are you a nonprofit and need money? Put this on your calendar. The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires will host Berkshire funders. They will provide — firsthand — information about grants and guidelines. They will field questions. Meet the people behind the funds. Barrington Stage Wolfson Center, November 9, 3:30pm — 5pm.

Austen Riggs

5. Austen Riggs Center 2023 Virtual Fall Conference for Psychiatric Care Providers, Psychotherapists, and Social Scientists “Losing our Mind and Finding it: Reintegrating Meaning in a Neurobiologically- Focused Era” October 13, 2023 – October 14, 2023. 11 CE/CME credits available. More information at https://www.austenriggs.org/events

Stockbridge Library

6. Hi Carole, Here are the upcoming events scheduled so far for the month of October at Stockbridge Library

Slime Squad (sign-up required): Tuesday, October 3 @ 3:45 pm – 4:30 pm

Cookbook Club (Featuring Dining In by Alison Roman)
Thursday, October 5 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Author Robert Kaplan in conversation with Jim Brooke on the book The Loom of Time: Between Empire and Anarchy, from the Mediterranean to China
Saturday, October 7 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Book Club (Featuring Joan: A Novel of Joan of Arc by Katherine J. Chen)
Thursday, October 12 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Halloween Cookie Decorating
Friday, October 13 @ 3:30 pm — 4:30pm

Author Olga Shevchenko in conversation with Jim Brooke on the book In Visible Presence: Soviet Afterlives in Family Photos
Friday, October 13 @ 6:00 pm — 7:00 pm

Author Alexander Stille in conversation with Jim Brooke on the book The Sullivanians: Sex, Psychotherapy, and the Wild Life of an American Commune
Sunday, October 15 @ 2:00 pm — 3:00 pm

The Last Word

Reader to Reader

Letter to the Editor:

On September 19, the day of the Pittsfield primary elections, the Central Berkshires branch of the League of women Voters hosted a hybrid Community Conversation.

Based on our reading of a chapter of Dr. David Moss’s Democracy: A Case Study, we reviewed the history of the disenfranchisement of Black citizens after the Civil War, during the Jim Crow era, and through the decades after WWII. In particular, we looked at the controversy surrounding Martin Luther King, Jr.’s leadership of nonviolent protests that often provoked violence against him and his supporters. Would you have decided to walk across the Pettus Bridge in Selma in 1965, defying the Federal law prohibiting this march? We asked each other.

That march, like many other civil rights demonstrations, took courage and enormous moral conviction. It meant participating in a deliberate act of nonviolent civil disobedience. Over 14,000 arrests were made in only a few years. This is just one of the many details in Dr. Moss’s chapter, through which I learned more than I ever knew growing up in those times.

After the Pittsfield polls closed that same evening, we learned that voter turnout had been under 20% in some precincts and under 14% in others. Over 80% of eligible voters had not exercised their right to have a say in their city’s government. Pittsfield is no different from other Berkshire towns, where voter turnout for local elections is notoriously low.

We were struck with the sharp and disappointing contrast that evening: For decades, citizens fought hard and at great cost, for the right to vote. And now large numbers of people choose not to go to the polls?

Governor Maura Healy is vetoing the budget line item for $2.5 million for civics education. She wants to cut it below last year’s allotment of $2 million to $1.5 million. I have to disagree. If students do not learn the importance of voting in a democracy, we will not be able to sustain this type of government in the future, neither in the Commonwealth nor in the country at large.

Ramelle 

Editor’s note: Ramelle Pulitzer, Chapter President, Central Berkshire County, League of Women Voters

Hi Carole,

My personal preference would be to leave the PCBs in the River Sediment in Woods Pond and to treat them ‘in place’ with microbes. I am also in favor of eventually removing Woods Pond Dam, in stages perhaps, so that when it rains, the river will not back up behind Woods Pond Dam into a lake over the PCBs in the sediment. 

I believe that the numbers that you have provided may be what EPA and GE are planning to excavate, truck through our streets, and then dump in Lee. The only reason for doing it, is to make us think that the problem is solved, so GE and EPA may go ‘merrily’ on their way.

Thanks for your thoughtful email. I have been collecting signatures to get GE/EPA to shift the TRANSPORTATION of PCBs through our towns, from dump trucks to the railroad.

Denny

Carole, I’m very sorry. After I spoke to you about changing the Uke day, Mike said we couldn’t change it until he contacted the other tenants down the hall to see if our playing would disturb their activities. No one outside of our group has come to our meetings so far, and we will announce during our performance at the Senior Center lunch that we meet on Tuesdays and that everyone is welcome. 

Faye Windram

Dear Carole,

I read with such pleasure the account of the chimes being repaired, and then just now of their being played at Mr. Gray’s funeral. I have happy memories of being up in the chime tower as a child. Mr. Gray assigned me a bar to push and he would tap it when that note should be played. I thought I used to climb the tower in the summer whenever I wanted to do this, but my sister thought we only went there with our mother when we were little, not at the age of running around town independently. Maybe both things were true! This would have been in the 1940s. It’s a memory I have treasured all my life. 

Linda (Howard) Zonana

Dear Linda,

Thank you. I hope everyone shares their memories of Stockbridge as you did.

Carole

Hi Carole,

Just a little history to clarify…

In 2002, the Stockbridge Land Trust approached the Laurel Hill Association about preserving the south entrance to town, the old Beacco property. The two organizations pooled monies 50/50 on the $105K purchase, but the deeds went directly from the seller to the LHA, the sole owner. That was the first 50/50 collaboration of the SLT and LHA to preserve entrances to town. There have been three successful ones since: the Four Corners (2012), the West Dale Preserve (2017), and the Kiggen Parcel south of Chestnut (2014). It’s been a productive association! 

I thought it was time to clarify…thanks for helping.

Pat Flinn

Perspective

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV) and Inaugural of Climate Smart Agriculture 

BAV’s inaugural climate smart agriculture event, “Harvesting Hope: Building Climate Resilient Farms in the Berkshire-Taconic Region” took place on Thursday, September 21, at the Berkshire Botanical Garden. A panel of local farmers, climate experts, BAV’s knowledgeable staff, and concerned community members gathered and engaged in a crucial dialogue about climate change and its profound impact on local agriculture.

“Harvesting Hope” underscored the importance of collective action, and highlighted the necessity of taking action locally, right here in our own communities. BAV’s climate event was one of many in the region. 

BAV’s event demonstrated the growing organization’s unwavering commitment to promoting sustainability and resilience within the local agricultural sector, offering insights and strategies for local farmers to adapt and flourish in a changing climate. Expert perspectives from distinguished climate scientists and agricultural specialists were complemented by the voices of local farmers, creating a better understanding of the pressing issues at hand for local food. 

A panel of local farmers including Meg Bantle of Full Well Farm, Dan Carr of Beavertides Farm, who also serves as BAV’s Outreach & Technical Assistance Manager, and Jim Schultz of Red Shirt Farm, joined Program Manager for BAV’s Climate Smart Agriculture Program Ben Crockett and the Director of Williams College’s Zilkha Center Dr. Tanja Srebotnjak, in delivering presentations that shed light on the local ramifications of climate change and emphasized the pivotal role of sustainable agricultural practices. Farmers shared their firsthand experiences and challenges, providing crucial insights into the real-world consequences of climate change on their farms and communities. The presentation by Ben Crockett highlighted the impacts of climate change in our region; unpredictable precipitation, yield loss due to heat stress, less predictable frost dates, as well as new waves of pests and invasive species, all of which pose serious threats to local farms. 

“We are grateful for the overwhelming response,” said Rebecca Busansky, BAV’s Executive Director. “‘Harvesting Hope’ demonstrated that our community recognizes the urgency of helping our farmers on the front lines of climate change. Whether it was the late freezes or this summer’s relentless rain and flooding, I think everyone in our community increasingly knows we have to do something to help our farmers. The collaboration and commitment on display at the Berkshire Botanical Garden were truly inspiring.”

Perspective

The Pan-Mass Challenge 

Good morning, Team SU,

On Saturday, PMC Unpaved (a spoke in the wheel of the Pan-Mass Challenge) held their annual bike-a-thon that raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country! This new gravel event — held for the first time in 2022 — is set in the scenic backroads of the Berkshires.

PMC Unpaved offered two fully-supported routes of 30 or 50 miles on Saturday, along beautiful forests, lakes, and farmlands through our Berkshire hills.

Cyclists were invited to take part in a full weekend experience based at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac in Stockbridge. Cyclists were welcomed Friday night with a campfire, then the ride held on Saturday morning, and ended with a celebration afternoon at the camp. The weekend concluded with a breakfast sendoff on Sunday. The occasional rain showers did not dampen the mood of all who participated!

by Jay Rhind

Perspective

Notes from the Select Board meeting, September 28, 2023, Hybrid

Editor’s note: This report of the September 28 SB meeting was written by SB member Patrick White. SU invites Chair Chuck Cardillo and Jamie Minacci to be guest reporters of any SB meeting or to contribute an article or letter.

Lately, I have been sending out personal notes that have been light-hearted and informative. I feel the need to digress. Since this has no puppy dogs, no bunny rabbits, no kitty cats, I am posting it in Stockbridge Updates.

I’m not feeling very good right now. Here’s why, here’s the lay of the land. Stockbridge is in a slow-motion crisis, and I am getting no support from my board in addressing these issues.

In the last few years, behind the scenes, I worked with Michael Canales and did the hard work it took to rein in the town budget. His initial budget kept the growth of town spending to just a 5% increase. I went through the budget line by line and found a number of areas we could cut further. So, despite the unforeseen, last minute increase, in our school budget, we were able to keep the town budget to a growth of just 1.8% last year. Not this year. We cut everything we could, and this year we are renegotiating both the highway and police union contracts and will need to address non-union pay scale. I expect the budget this year to grow 6%-8%.

Assessments are going up approximately 13% again this year, despite the rise in mortgage interest rates. Demand for property in Stockbridge continues to be strong. Using the 1/3-1/3-1/3 rule, assessments will cause significantly higher taxes for 1/3 of you, because their impact is based on your neighborhood and style of house. And some of you are on fixed incomes and will be hard pressed to absorb the double whammy of budget and assessments.

For four years, I’ve seen this coming, and have worked hard to come up with a slate of proposals to address this. When I first ran, I described this as a book-end strategy: namely, how we ensure that we have a town that works for both our current elderly on fixed incomes, and the next generation—your children and grandchildren. Ensure working families have a fighting chance to live here and, at the same time, preserve the beauty and character of a town that attracts our second homeowners.

Working families are often called the “missing middle”. If we fund housing for the missing middle, the Affordable Housing Trust can preference local police, teachers, nurses, municipal employees, and all the others we need to work and live in our community who can no longer afford it. If we fund it.

Which brings me to Thursday night.

We have suspended our senior work off program, a program that allows seniors of modest means the ability to work off up to $1,500 of their taxes, because our program was illegal: we never authorized it at a town meeting. We have a special town meeting scheduled for October 23 to vote on the school merger. I advocated adding this authorization to the warrant. It didn’t pass, both of my colleagues voted against it. The practical impact: no senior work off for this year’s taxes, no program in place until next July if it makes it on the annual warrant in May. No relief for seniors who need it and could have worked to pay some of their tax bill.

On October 12, we will have our annual tax classification hearing. I wonder if once again, my colleagues will refuse to consider the Residential Tax Exemption, that could provide you with relief from the high assessments and higher taxes many of you will face. 

We passed an Affordable Housing Trust in this town. Now we have to fund it or it is but a hollow gesture. Last night, I proposed we allow you to consider a transfer fee that the purchaser would pay on certain property sales. To do so, Sen. Paul Mark, Sen. Lydia Edwards, the Secretary of Housing for the Commonwealth all recommended we join roughly 20 other communities this year and ask the legislature to authorize it. Last night, my colleagues voted no and did not support it. 

Coincidentally, we had a developer at the meeting last night who plans to build dozens of luxury homes in the next few years. Without opposition, I was able to put before you the Residential Inclusionary Bylaw for your consideration. You passed it and it will create funding through the Affordable Housing Trust for 10-20 families to be able to live here, and/or allow us to fund block grants to help existing homeowners maintain their homes.

You could fund even more workforce housing units with a transfer fee, but two leaders disenfranchised you from making this decision which is rightly yours to make.

My job is to work in the best interests of our town. I will bring two ballot initiatives to the town meeting in May even if I have to stand in front of the Post Office and collect the signatures myself. First, I will ensure that the senior work-off program is put back in place. Second, I will ensure that you are given all the options to consider funding workforce housing. That’s your decision, not mine. You should be given the right to make it. Finally, I want your opinion on whether we should propose that we expand the Select Board from three to five members. This would allow board members to meet between meetings, and might help us create more understanding of the issues each other works on. I need help.

by Patrick White , Selectman

Perspective

From the Desk of the Stockbridge Fire Chief Vincent Garofoli

Fire Safety Week is from October 8 to October 14, 2023. 

Fall is here and so heating season. In the Fire Department when we think of fall, we think of fire safety. This year’s theme is:

“Cooking Safety starts with YOU! Pay attention to fire prevention.” 

During Fire Safety Week the Stockbridge Fire Department visits the schools to teach the children in preschool to second grade basic fire safety concepts which they will take home to their families. 

The theme this year, is Kitchen fires. They are the most common cause of fires in your home or apartments. They are also the leading cause of fire related injuries and deaths in the United States. To decrease the likelihood of kitchen fires, follow these simple rules: 

Never leave anything cooking on cooktop or range unattended

Never store items on your cooktop or range or in your oven including pots, pans and cookie sheets

Never leave your house with anything cooking in the oven

Never leave small children unattended around the cooktop or range when cooking

Clean your cooktop or range and oven regularly.

Always make sure you use a pot or pan big enough to avoid spilling or boiling over.

Always use or have nearby the lid or a flat cookie sheet to totally cover any pot or pan in use.

Always keep the area around your cooktop or range free of any combustible items like paper, plastics, etc., 

Wear short sleeves, cotton-based materials when using the cooktop or range to prevent your clothes from accidentally catching fire. 

If possible, keep an ABC type dry chemical fire extinguisher easily accessible in the kitchen. 

Should you ever have a small fire on the cooktop or range you may follow this procedure to extinguish the fire: turn off the cooktop or range, use the lid or cookie sheet to totally cover the pot or pan by sliding it away from you and across the top of the pan until it is fully in place, call 911, and evacuate the home or apartment immediately. 

If you do not believe it is safe to try and extinguish the fire yourself then call 911 and immediately evacuate the home or apartment. 

If you have a fire extinguisher and are comfortable in using it, use it before evacuation provided the fire is still confined to the cooktop or range area and any smoke present is above your head and not where you can breathe it in. 

Editor’s note: The Chief will have more information and tips on fire safety in the next issue of SU.