Editorial

Editorial: In The Know

Waterworks, a novel by E. L. Doctorow, is about a newspaper editor and his freelance. At one point in the story, the editor quits his newspaper to protest the paper’s refusal to publish a fact-based, well-sourced article exposing Boss Tweed. 

The editor muses, “Deprived of my ability to report it — our life and times — I imagined myself at the mercy of it.” 

It is more than an individual being at the mercy of forces he cannot describe or understand. Absent an informed electorate, democracy is impossible. If you doubt that, look at the growing number accepting an autocrat, and ask if it is not for lack of accurate information. Support for autocracy may be as simple as not being privy to the facts, not understanding the choices and how different choices serve or thwart our interests. 

Stockbridge Updates was founded to keep voters informed. It was in direct response to the belief that the power of the vote is diminished if the voters don’t understand the issues. One motivation for SU was the suspicion that the public at large did not know to what General Electric (GE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Rest of River Committee (ROR) were agreeing.

Our representatives on ROR did not report to the Select Boards that appointed them or the public. Years were lost as the public was ignorant and plans were laid. Finally, ten years later, the public was informed of a fait accompli. The public was horrified but told it was time for implementation, too late for negotiation. Was that true? 

Nope. The permit and the settlement agreement DO NOT REQUIRE that all material must go to the disposal site in Lee. It only requires that “a minimum of 10 percent” of PCBs go off-site. With respect to the balance, the Appeals Board stated, “We take no position on the ultimate resolution of that issue.” Permit and settlement DO NOT take a position on truck versus train transport.

Information is a tool; facts are necessary tools. Please, make no mistake, disposal/disposition of the PCBs is not the only issue affecting us, and with every issue, information empowers us. 

Do not accept the word of the “trusted leader” or worse the charismatic leader. These matters affect us, our children, and the quality of our lives. Democracy is a participatory government – bone up, show up, and speak up.

by Carole Owens , Executive Editor

News

SU FYI

Congratulations Cathy Buffoni

…on fifty years at the Stockbridge Library and warm good wishes for fifty more!

Bravo Corey Sprague! 

At the Berkshire Hills Regional School District’s (BHRSD) meeting on Thursday, January 25, Corey Sprague, BHRSD School Committee member from Stockbridge, read her resolution in response to the Great Barrington Police Department’s actions at W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School over a copy of the book Gender Queer.

“Whereas the Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee is dedicated to fostering an environment that encourages critical thinking, diversity and the free exchange of ideas; and whereas our educational mission is grounded in the principles of academic freedom, intellectual curiosity and pursuit of knowledge; and whereas we recognize the importance of providing students with a well-rounded education that exposes them to a variety of perspectives, ideas and cultures; and whereas the diversity of thought and representation in our curriculum was crucial for developing informed and engaged citizens. Now, therefore, be it resolved at Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee affirms its commitment to the principles of academic creativity, intellectual freedom, diversity, and inclusivity within our educational system, and be it further resolved that we stand in support of students and staff, right to access a broad range of educational materials that reflect diverse experiences and perspectives. And being also resolved that we acknowledge the importance of open dialogue and constructive conversations to address concerns related to educational materials. And we encourage community members to participate in respectful discussions about curriculum content, and be it finally resolved that the Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee will continue to review and uphold our policies to ensure that our educational materials are aligned with the values of our community and the principles of academic freedom.”

A fellow committee member pronounced it “perfect”. 

Thank you BHRSD School Committee that further resolved: 

WHEREAS, the Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee is dedicated to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment for students and staff; and

WHEREAS, recent concerns have been raised regarding potential overreach by the local police department in matters related to school affairs; and

WHEREAS, the Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee values a collaborative relationship with law enforcement agencies while ensuring the protection of the rights and well-being of our educational community; and

WHEREAS, accountability and transparency are essential for maintaining public trust and con?dence in both our educational institutions and local law enforcement;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee respectfully urges the local police department to initiate a thorough internal investigation into any alleged overreach or involvement in school affairs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the internal investigation should examine the nature and extent of the police department’s interactions with the school community, ensuring that actions taken align with established protocols and respect the rights of students and staff; and

BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that the School Committee expects the local police department to provide a transparent and detailed report of the internal investigation ?ndings, including any recommended corrective actions if warranted; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the School Committee remains committed to fostering a positive and cooperative relationship with local law enforcement agencies to enhance the safety and well-being of our educational community.

Both resolutions were adopted on January 25, 2024.

Applications for Berkshire Art Center’s Summer 2024 Internship Program Now Open!

Students ages 15+ are encouraged to apply for a Teaching Assistant position in Berkshire Art Center’s Summer 2024 Camp Season, which provides an opportunity to work alongside local artists and aid children ages 4 to 14 years old in visual art exploration. 

Berkshire Art Center’s camp season runs for 9 to 10 weeks from June through August and the Teaching Assistant position is from approximately 8:30am–4:30pm daily with camps occurring Monday through Friday. Preference is based upon availability and experience, and is given to high school students, college students, and those considering an art education career. Ideal applicants have experience working with children in a camp setting, experience in the visual arts, and an interest in art education.

In Berkshire Art Center’s summer camp classrooms, Teaching Assistants help students and teachers through leading selected group activities, setting up art materials and projects, presenting and distributing family surveys at weekly student art shows and assisting with various coordination duties under the supervision of administrative staff. This opportunity also allows students to gain non-profit organizational experience and receive on-the-job training in classroom management, visual arts techniques, and skills.

Teaching Assistants receive a weekly stipend of $525 and one free class tuition to any of Berkshire Art Center’s upcoming courses in-person or online (valid through the end of the calendar year with a two-week internship commitment minimum, materials fees not included.)

Applicants must submit an application form by March 1, 2024 and have a resume ready to attach. For more information, please visit berkshireartcenter.org/employment-internships.

News

It’s an Election Year 

Vote!

Town Meeting is Monday, May 20. Town Elections are Tuesday, May 21. 

Want to run? 

Nomination papers will be available on February 6.

Open seats for three-year terms:

• Moderator 
• Selectman
• Tree Warden
• Board of Assessors 
• Board of Health
• Sewer & Water Commissioner
• Parks & Recreation
• Open seats for five-year terms:
• Planning Board 
• Housing Authority

The Stockbridge Senior Tax Work Off Program is Accepting Applicants 

The COA is currently looking for Senior Work Off Candidates — click here for application –

https://www.stockbridge-ma.gov/media/11646

News

Housing Rehabilitation Program 

Your Stockbridge Board of Selectmen are participating in a regional CDBG grant to provide income-eligible residents with home repair services at no cost to the resident. The funding is provided by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and provides a 0% interest, deferred, forgivable loan of up to $50,000 to make critical repairs to your home.

Click here for application – https://www.stockbridge-ma.gov/media/11631

News

Events

Norman Rockwell Museum

Norman Rockwell Museum will celebrate Norman Rockwell’s Birthday (February 3, 1894)!

Virtual Program: Inheriting the Legacy: A Conversation with The Rockwell Family

On the 130th anniversary of Norman Rockwell’s birth, members of the Rockwell family will come together to share personal reflections on Rockwell’s art and to consider the diverse ways that their lives and creative practice have been impacted by the legacy that they have inherited. Three generations of the Rockwell family will join us in conversation and share thoughts on the Rockwell artworks that mean the most to them. This program is offered over Zoom and is designed for general audiences as well as educators, scholars, and illustrators. Anyone who is interested in Rockwell and his legacy is warmly encouraged to join. There will be some opportunity for participants to ask questions through the program moderators.

Date/Time: February 3, 2024, 4pm — 5pm

Price: $10 per person | Members Free Tickets available at https://www.NRM.org/events

Please note: This virtual program will be simulcast at the Museum. Access to the simulcast is free with admission.

Senior Center

Mardi Gras Lunch: Tuesday, February 13 11:30 am 

Special Valentine Craft — Nancy Socha is leading crafts on February 9th. Please check with COA for time.

News

Notes from the Planning Board, January 16, 2024, Hybrid

Form A “Division of Land” — On Cherry Hill, three pieces of land will be redivided as follows. Two without frontage (not buildable) will be conveyed to Linda Barbadora. That will create a more direct route to Barbadora’s front door. The third lot will be conveyed to Hans and Kate Morris. Morris is trying to reconstitute the original boundaries and acreage of the historic Swann Farm. 

Minkler Insurance signs (Main Street) The signs will be the same size or smaller than the original signs and flat on building not projecting — approved.

Subdivision of land on Pixley Hill — roughly 24 acres, adequate frontage for two lots. Voted that approval of the PB was not required as it conformed to the bylaw.

News

Notes from Water and Sewer Commission, January 16, 2024, Hybrid

Dave Prickett, DPC Engineering, consultant, presented a preliminary report of the Stockbridge Sewer Needs Analysis

Challenges of the existing sewer and potential extension of sewer. 

DPC mapped current sewer

Current sewer is a “hybrid” with both gravity-fed and low-pressure sections as well as different width pipes

Water ways and highways crisscross and present challenges

There are sewer connections on private land — establish cost per foot to transfer all connections to Town

There are 6 unsewered areas in Stockbridge — the cost of extending related to cost of pump stations and piping

Decision based on needs and wants.

Need: if septic failure, lot size, wetlands, cost per connection

Want: desire to be off septic — cost per unit to connect

Pump stations necessary per number of households (single pump station can cost $1,000,000)

Regardless of individual wants/needs, costs may be the deciding factor

Tony Campetti cautioned this is preliminary stage — not time to make decisions — even when reach decision making stage — can be 3 years from decision to installation 

Present were parties living on The Bowl expressing an interest in connecting to the sewer: Beth Nathan, President Lake Drive Association, a representative from Camp Mahkeenac, and Daniel Pinkus, an individual building a new home on the Lake. Even after warning too early to decide, they put on the record their desire to connect to sewer.

Also on the agenda was the need to find all man hole and man hole covers in Beachwood (possible they were paved over)

News

Notes from the Select Board (SB), January 18, 2024, Hybrid

The new meeting schedule of the SB will be the first and third Thursdays of each month at 6:30pm, Town Offices.

The easements necessary for the purchase/sale agreement between the Berkshire Waldorf High School and the First Congregational Church were approved. The way is clear for transfer, restoration, and reuse of Old Town Hall at 6 Main Street by BWHS.

Vote to allow Town Administrator (TA) Michael Canales to submit a grant application for community preservation funds to assist in the town’s dredging project.

Kate Fletcher reported the Cat and Dog Fountain, and the horse trough will be finished and reinstalled this spring.

Berkshire Hills Regional School District will lease two additional offices in Town Offices.

Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission has not met since July. TA will send a letter to current members to respond if they want to continue on SBSC.

A Joint Mohican Commission will be formed with 6 members — 3 town residents and 3 Stockbridge Munsee Band members.

News

Community Preservation Committee, January 18, 2024, Hybrid

The purpose of the meeting was to share the amount of money available as of December 31, 2023 for allocation — $1,119,011.85.

Also to set the calendar for CPC to review applications and make recommendations for allocation to the Town Meeting – May 20, 2024. 

The calendar was set as follows:

February 1 3pm — PUBLIC MEETING Town Hall & Zoom — project presentations, questions and answers. Public having business before the CPC is encouraged to attend.

February 9 NOON — Application deadline (Town Hall) (must be stamped by Town Clerk as having been received by the deadline)

February 22 — 3pm CPC voting meeting — public is welcome, but attendance is not necessary. Committee will discuss and vote on applications received.

February 29 — 3pm Backup voting meeting (as needed); Committee will discuss and vote on applications received, if any decisions are outstanding. Public is welcome, but attendance is not necessary. 

Meetings take place in the Select Board meeting room, Town Offices

News

Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Council

With the possible forming of a joint Mohican Commission between the Stockbridge Select Board and the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe we thought it might be nice to learn a bit about the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Council. 

The Tribal Council is the governing body of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, a federally recognized Tribal Nation. It is composed of a President, a Vice President, a Treasurer and four at large Council members, elected by popular referendum. 

The President and Treasurer are elected for a term of two years, the Vice President and four Councilmen are elected for one-year terms. 

Any enrolled member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community is eligible to be elected to the Tribal Council provided they are 25 years of age or over and have maintained a continuous residence in the community for at least one year immediately preceding the election. 

• The main function of the Tribal Council is to: Promulgate and enforce ordinances, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, governing the conduct of members of the Community; 
• Provide for the manner of making, holding, and revoking assignments of land or interest therein; 
• Provide for the levying of assessments on members of the Community and the appropriation of available community funds for public purposes; 
• Provide for the licensing of nonmembers coming upon the reservation for purposes of hunting, fishing, trading, or other business, and for the exclusion from the territory of the Community of persons not so licensed and 
• Establish proper agencies for law enforcement in the Community.

Besides being on the Tribal Council, each of the current Council people bring experience from years of working within the Tribal organization. These experiences include finance, housing, family services, EMT, Roads, and Casino management. 

The Tribal Council operates from the Tribe’s Reservation in Bowler, Wisconsin.

by Sherry White, Tribal Liaison. Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe

Perspective

From the Desk of Senator Paul Mark

I would like to thank Carole Owens for the opportunity to contribute a periodic article to Stockbridge Updates. This is a great way to make sure the people of Stockbridge are aware of what is going on at the State House in Boston and how to get in touch with our Senate office. 

My name is Paul Mark and I serve as the State Senator for the Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire District in Western Massachusetts. The Senate district consists of 57 cities and towns, including Stockbridge, in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Counties. This is the largest legislative district in the nearly 400 year history of Massachusetts and is larger in area than the State of Rhode Island! 

In order to keep in touch with as many constituents as possible, we have come up with a recurring and floating series of office hours in each region of the Senate district. Every month we hold office hours in Adams, Buckland, Dalton, Great Barrington, North Adams, Pittsfield, Southwick, and Williamsburg to be as accessible as possible. The full office hours schedule can be found at this link District — Senator Paul Mark. Additionally, we also float to two other towns each month for an open forum. Stockbridge was one of our first stops early last year! With 57 towns in the district, even if I did one town per week, I could not get to everybody in a year. But with this robust schedule we are on track to stop in every town for a discussion at least once per legislative session.

You can also reach out me directly by email at paul.mark@masenate.gov or to our district office line at (413) 464-5635. We have a fixed office location at 773 Tyler Street in Pittsfield and an office in the State House as well if you happen to find yourself in Boston. Our Berkshire County staff member Casey Pease can also be reached at casey.pease@masenate.gov. If you are having an issue navigating a state agency or state service, please do be in touch. We also want to hear from you about policy and budgeting issues at the state level.

In the future, I will plan to talk more about what is happening in the Senate when contributing an article. 

Next time in Stockbridge Updates – I will feature updates on the state budget. In the meantime, thank you for the opportunity to be your voice in the Senate.

by Paul Mark

Perspective

The Stockbridge Library

By Wendy Pearson, Director and André Bernard, President, Board of Trustees

As of this writing, just three weeks into 2024, the Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives has welcomed 1,101 visitors. Last year over 23,000 people streamed through our doors—to borrow books, attend concerts and readings by celebrated musicians and authors, look at art and historical exhibitions, learn flower arranging, bring their kids in to sit together for story time, exchange recipes and tips in the cookbook club, and even, once, to meet the real, actual, genuine Santa Claus. The Library is a thriving element on Stockbridge’s iconic Main Street, a lively and welcoming attraction for tourists and local patrons alike.

What makes the Library such a draw? Part of its appeal is the staff, a small and friendly group of book lovers; among them we should single out Cathy Buffoni, who just celebrated her 50th year behind the checkout desk. Come in to say hello and congratulate Cathy on her amazing and ongoing tenure—she’s now checking out books for the children and grandchildren of the people for whom she checked out books when they were kids!

Most asked-for books currently? James McBride’s The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store and Daniel Mason’s North Woods, a sweeping novel set in the Berkshires. Recent author appearances? Pulitzer Prize winners Marty Baron and Linda Greenhouse and bestselling cookbook writer Madhur Jaffrey (coming up soon: Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer and famed graphic artist Alison Bechdel, author of the Broadway hit Fun Home). Favorite recent activities at or sponsored by the Library? The Stockbridge Pumpkin Walk, carols sung by the Marian Fathers on the front steps, the Community Dog Show, and the Ice Festival, featuring live ice carving. And, partnering with a local business, we even hosted, for the third year in a row, a herd of sheep and a shearing show on the Library’s front lawn. The Library will work with local merchants whenever the opportunity arises—we always keep the community front and center and are eager to join forces with local businesses.

The Town of Stockbridge contributes towards our maintenance, but, unlike any other library in the Berkshires, most of our funds come from directly you, our customers, in the form of small donations, for which we’re so very grateful. You keep us going, year after year, as we try to offer the community a widely varied, exciting slate of events and activities. Please drop in, say hello, browse, and join in. We welcome everyone.

The Last Word

Reader to Reader

To the Editor: 

General Electric Co.’s implementation plan for Housatonic River clean-up recently proposed to the Environmental Protection Agency introduces many unstudied and poorly defined risks to the public health and safety of the towns of Lee, Lenox and Stockbridge that have provoked concerns from their citizens and officials.

One point is clear: EPA insists, and the Tri-Town Health Department concurs, that further delay in the implementation poses increased health risks to the communities along the river.

In its executive summary of EPA’s response to comments regarding the draft revised 2020 permit, EPA states on page 9 that “The sooner the cleanup in the Revised Final Permit is implemented, the sooner the risks of exposure to the PCBs in the River will be addressed.”

The single most important factor causing delay in the cleanup of the Housatonic river is GE’s plan to use trucks instead of railroad. Railroad could start the cleanup before trucks and get the entire job done faster than trucks.

Using trucks could delay the start of excavations because trucks must wait several years for the local landfill to be completed. Trains can start in a year.

Using trucks might make the whole cleanup take longer. Trucks must stretch the cleanup out over 13 years because of the heavy truck traffic required with concurrent excavations. Railroad could implement the cleanup in all reaches at the same time.

Without having objectively studied the time-saving benefits of rail transport and relying only on GE’s input, EPA also has asserted, “First, off-site landfilling of all material from the cleanup creates greater risk to human health and the environment because of the potential delay before PCB removal will occur.”

On behalf of the future health and safety of our communities, the Tri-Town Health Department cannot emphasize too strongly that EPA should abandon such an unsubstantiated claim and rely on someone besides GE to take a fair look at the use of railroad instead of trucks.

James Wilusz, Pittsfield

Editor’s note: Wilusz is a registered sanitarian and the executive director of the Tri-Town Health Department, which represents Lee, Lenox, and Stockbridge. This letter is reprinted from the Berkshire Eagle

To the Editor:

News from ConCom about the town bylaw prohibiting chain link fences if in view of the neighbors, reminded me that I requested that the town replace the chain link fence which they installed (against town bylaws) at the Curtisville old stone bridge. 

A wooden fence would be more attractive, legal, and appropriate. For whatever reason the town refused.

I am pleased that the town is seeking a way to restore the stone bridge to be available for pedestrians only. The fact is, they could keep it open for pedestrians now as most of us here would be happy to scamper across and not fear collapse. A local town official commented that the bridge has been there for almost 200 years and is probably going to stay strong for a bit more.

I also proposed installing a wooden walkway atop the ugly steel utility bridge to allow pedestrian access. Everyone I have spoken to agreed that this would be a wonderful solution for now; but the town has stalled while they try to figure out what to do with the bridge.

Hopefully sometime soon we will be able to walk in the neighborhood without hindrance.

Paul Sundberg

To the Editor:

The Town is making progress on Stockbridge Bowl generally and the SBSC specifically on several fronts. Town Administrator Canales has worked closely with GZA and SBA over the past six months to focus the engineering firm on critical tasks related to the permitting of dredging. The Select Board will have an agenda item at an upcoming meeting, where we will discuss a complete reorganization, including stakeholder groups, of the SBSC. Finally, the state has announced an inland dredging grant round, a new opportunity with $4 million in total funding only available to smaller municipalities in the Commonwealth. The deadline for application is March 1. Town leaders are working closely with SBA and have hired a GZA grant writer to assist us in making this deadline.

Patrick White

To Our Neighbors and People of Stockbridge

The property at 9 Lee Road in Stockbridge is owned by Berkshire Gas Company (BGC). Permits are issued to BGC, BGC is responsible to make sure they are being exercised appropriately. 

Superior Plus/Osterman are leasing parts of the property.

In November, the Stockbridge Selectmen chose to not issue permits for the unpermitted trucks, partially filled unpermitted propane tanks and 500 gallons of unpermitted methanol. Unfortunately, BGC continues to operate, and there continue to be numerous unresolved issues. These issues include:

Environmental

1. BGC never applied for, nor received, the necessary permits for the extensive paving and other impervious material that is on the property which adversely affects water runoff in the Kampoosa Bog Area of Environmental Critical Concern (ACEC).

2. The Stockbridge Conservation Commission has asked for more information from Berkshire Gas, but Berkshire Gas has continued to be unwilling to honor the request for additional information.

Safety

1. There is an 800-gallon unpermitted, buried tank of Mercaptan on the property. After numerous inquiries, Berkshire Gas refuses to detail the contents, and therefore it must now be assumed that it is full of this highly dangerous liquid.

2. Berkshire Gas is unwilling to produce the details of the removal of this tank to the neighborhood’s satisfaction.

3. This tank is an existential threat to our health, and we will be pursuing that its safe removal be supervised by the appropriate State and Town authorities. Berkshire Gas has not demonstrated appropriate behavior in the past. We must not allow the tank’s removal to be performed without the appropriate supervision.

Zoning

1. BGC is operating outside of the scope of the special permits granted to them by the Stockbridge Selectmen in 1973 and 1981. They were authorized for a supplemental gas operation only, due to the proximity of the Kinder Morgan natural gas pipeline. Today they are using the property as a Propane Depot which is not what the original permits allowed. This fundamental difference is allowing BGC to operate in our residential neighborhood 24/7/365, as opposed to the 24 days a year that they were granted permission to operate.

2. BGC is also not following the additional conditions that were required of them when granted these special permits.

BGC is counting on the residents of Stockbridge and Lee to forget about their past transgressions. We must not allow this to happen. All property owners must follow our town’s governance, including the zoning in our towns. 

David and Stephanie Adler

To the Editor:

Copy of the letter from TOWN OF STOCKBRIDGE * STOCKBRIDGE BOARD OF HEALTH to 

Mr. Dean Tagliaferro EPA New England, January 19, 2024, via email

RE: Rest of River- General Electric Transportation & Disposal Plan Public Comments Dear Mr. Tagliaferro,

The Stockbridge Board of Health hereby submits this into the public comment record regarding the October 31, 2023, General Electric Proposed Transportation and Disposal Plan.

The Board urges the EPA to consider our public health concerns and ask that G.E. rewrite their proposal as the current proposal is inadequate and incomplete and a missed opportunity to study the efficacy of rail. The October 31, 2023, plan relies heavily, if not exclusively, on transport of PCB laden materials by truck for both on-site and off-site disposal. Although transportation by rail was consistently mentioned favorably in previous iterations of plans for cleanup of the Rest of Housatonic River, the current plan does little beyond raising some objections to use of rail, primarily the need for physical improvements, access to privately owned land, possible increased truck trips, etc., but did not appear to pursue the issue beyond the preliminary studies completed three years ago by the Housatonic Railroad Company. These studies concluded that transport by rail was feasible, including creating rail access to the UDF. Further detailed study of the feasibility of rail is needed, hopefully accompanied by specific proposals.

The apparent defacto exclusion of rail transport in favor of trucks has emerged as a focus of our concerns. We need more information, and particularly comparable information between trucks and rail, regarding emissions, greenhouse gases, air quality, noise pollution, pedestrian and driver safety, recreational opportunities, and overall community health and safety. We note that these are among the issues to be undertaken by the Quality-of-Life Compliance Plan to be submitted to EPA in December 2023. We feel these issues need to be addressed as integral to the Transportation Plan as well.

If gaps in funding are identified with the efficacy of a rail study, we implore our state and federal delegation to identify the federal resources needed to study and implement the use of rail if such a study finds the use of rail feasible. GE’s lack of willingness to utilize additional funding is not the sole reason to determine if rail is not feasible.

Having attended the G.E. presentation at the Lee High School on November 28th it is evident that there was not much thought into presenting any information or data regarding studies that should have been done on the environmental impact for our towns.

Berkshire County is a major tourist destination, drawing thousands of people for concerts, stage productions, hiking, camping, boating, leaf peeking, skiing, and general relaxation. The effect of truck traffic on the tourist industry may be significant. Due to exponential increases in population during the tourist season, we have not seen any information on a traffic study that may impact truck transportation during peak seasons. Our concern also extends to the many residents that have voiced their anxiety and fear over the trucks driving past their front yards and children’s school playgrounds. The mental health of our residents needs to be counted into the process.

As stated, several times, a safe environment, and the wellbeing of our town residents during this entire remediation is our major concern and needs to be addressed before any further action is taken by G.E.

Furthermore, it is clear that delay in implementing the remediation of PCB contamination in the Housatonic River endangers the public health and safety of our community. We urge the EPA to abandon GE’s choice to use trucks because it is obvious that use of railroad will not only enable the implementation to begin earlier than trucks, before the local disposal facility has been completed, but use of railroad will also enable concurrent excavations, thereby speeding the entire implementation process, without the burdens of increased simultaneous truck transport.

We also urge the EPA to extend the deadline for the public comment period (2/1/24) for several months to allow an in-depth study on the efficacy of rail to be completed by an entity other than GE, such as the University of Massachusetts, and an adequate subsequent public review and comment.

Respectfully, Charles Kenny, MD, Chair, John Loiodice, MD, Elias Lefferman, PhD, James Wilusz, RS, Exec Dir -Town Health Department

cc: The Honorable Edward Markey, U.S. Senate; The Honorable Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senate; The Honorable Richard Neal, U.S. House of Representatives; Her Excellency Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts; The Honorable Paul Mark, State Senator; The Honorable Smitty Pignatelli, State Representative, 3rd Berkshire; Town Managers; Tri-Town Health Department; Tri-Town Board of Health Members

Editor’s note: Since the testimony of, and letters from, Tri-Town Health and others, EPA has directed GE to reopen investigation into transportation – trucks vs. trains.

To the Editor:

Why are we fighting the Rest of the River contract? That is because we don’t want PCBs in our river to be taken out and deposited in local landfills or carted out by truck to other places. We DO want the PCBs destroyed!

There is a better way for PCB remediation that eliminates the need to take them out of the river. Therefore, the problem of transporting PCBs elsewhere is eliminated. No trucks or trains needed!

There is tested scientific evidence that there is a viable solution to destroying the PCBs in place and restoring the river.

There are a number of ways to do this. I found one in the NIH Environmental Health Sciences article in Environmental Factor: Nature-based remediation technologies help clean up PCB Contamination, July 2023 (https://factor.niehs.nih.gov)

A second article in Science Direct-Chemosphere, volume 78 Issue 9 Feb. 2010 Extraction of PCBs and water from river sediment using liquified dimethyl ether as a solvent (https://doi/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.12.017)

Third article: Science direct Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, volume 10, issue 3 June 2022 107839 Bioremediation Technologies

These are just a few publications of the information that is out there on PCB remediation. A lot of new studies have been done since the original Rest of the River contract was disputed and could change the terms of the contract.

In addition to that there is a new EPA Rule that will be effective Feb 26, 2024, that could allow for changing the way the river is cleaned of PCBs.

And lastly this is a much cheaper way of handling the cleanup and will not do further damage to the environment. We can move on to the Restoration of the Watershed contract that has already been funded. Connecticut has already done this, and the riverbanks are restored and usable for recreation. 

Shirley Franz Miller 

Carole,

As you know, I try to keep up with what’s happening in town. Currently I’m confused by the actions of the Affordable Housing Trust. I watched their meeting on Jan. 29, hoping to learn why they plan to spend town funds on a playground and garden at Pinewoods. The status of the project was mentioned near the end of the two-hour meeting, but I didn’t think it was a good time to start asking questions. I hope you can explain what’s going on and how these actions meet the purpose of the Affordable Housing Trust.

It’s a nice gesture to replace the playground equipment at Pinewoods even though the property is owned by Construct, not the town. Under what authority are they taking these actions? Who will be responsible for the maintenance? What is the town’s liability? Is this an appropriate use of the undesignated CPC funds in the AHT account? 

I read the Declaration of Trust establishing the AHT and I don’t understand how these actions meet their purpose to create affordable housing. I am concerned and would like to know if there are any guardrails on their spending.

Anita Schwerner

Anita,

The most detailed and authoritative answer would come from the AHT Chair, Ranne Warner. Her official town email is: rwarner@stockbridge-ma.gov. The original proposal for a playground was voted on and approved by AHT. It was approved by Construct to be placed in a footprint identified by them. Warner would know if there was a subsequent AHT vote for an expanded playground or garden and if those were approved by Construct. With respect to “guardrails”, Michael Canales would know about Mass General Law, Chapter 30B that governs the procurement of supplies, services, and real property, and if they apply to AHT. His email is townadministrator@stockbridge-ma.gov.

Carole

To the Editor:

Housatonic Water Works – The History 

There are 850 water users or households served by Housatonic Water Works (HWW). The source is Long Pond. Poor quality water plagued HWW users, spurring broad protests.

The 2020 MA DEP report cited numerous infractions, rendering HWW’s “rating should remain [from 2018] as Conditional.” In 2021, AECOM Consulting recommended HWW replace its filtration system, its water mains and improve its intake systems. With a price tag totaling $22 million over 20 years, the immediate need to cover $4 million seemed beyond HWW’s capabilities.

In 2022, a petition of 1,200 signatories was sent to Governor Baker, the Attorney General, state and local officials of Great Barrington (GB), Stockbridge and W. Stockbridge demanding action. 

After continued public protests over “yellow water” and high levels of potentially harmful haloacetic acid, GB’s Select Board publicly interviewed representatives of Aquarion (a subsidiary of Eversource) as a possible purchaser. Aquarion set HWW’s worth at about $1.8 million. The possibility of an acquisition initially arose in 2018 when Great Barrington’s Select Board contracted DPC Engineering to study the issues.

In June 2023, HWW filed for a rate increase with the MA Department of Public Utilities. HWW claimed $4.5 million was needed in order to upgrade their filtration system and make other improvements, resulting in doubling its rate. HWW’s rates were already much higher than GB Fire District’s as calculated by DPC Engineering. A hearing was held. 

In an intervenor’s report from Stockbridge’s Select Board member, Patrick White pointed out the owners proposed the increase to be in effect even before any improvements were made. It appeared that HWW was unwilling or unable to invest in its infrastructure. 

HWW’s public financial reports indicated few capital investments for their water system had been made. Further, recent statements showed that nearly 50% of revenues were paid to the two owners in salary and benefits. Virtually no salary dollars remained for operating employees.

The Department of Public Utilities and the Assistant Attorney General for

Energy & Telecommunications can deny the rate increase. Or, MA DPU could mediate a settlement. Moreover, the GB Board of Health has jurisdiction over water quality which has been recently reinforced but not yet exercised.

Clean water must flow, and this standoff must end soon. 

Sharon Gregory