Editorial

Turning Conflict into Community with Courtesy and Curiosity 

There is an idea afoot to add an item to the 2025 Town Meeting Warrant. It would be a citizen’s petition proposing to disband the Affordable Housing Trust (AHT).

That sounds harsh. Besides, we New Englanders don’t like conflict. I get it, but maybe avoiding conflict has unintended consequences.

First, it is how we create and maintain the divide in America. One friend told me she and a close friend disagreed on national politics. They still got together socially but by agreement limited the subjects they discussed until there were none and they drifted apart. And the second unintended consequence? The problem is not addressed. So what do we do? What happens if, instead of leaving it at that, we discuss it? Maybe there is merit in both opposing positions. Maybe we can reach consensus and all the while we are addressing the problem. Let’s try.

Support the Affordable Housing Trust

That seems a praiseworthy position. Maybe we recognize the legitimacy of the problem. Maybe we want housing for all in Stockbridge. Maybe the name, Affordable Housing Trust was enough and so, at Town Meeting, we voted yes and established AHT.

We also recognize that to vote to disband it now would send the wrong signal. It could appear that Stockbridge no longer supports affordable housing.

That’s plain silly because we led the way – the first municipality in Berkshire County to reach the state goal and to exceed it.

Opposing AHT

On the other hand, if some want it disbanded, they must feel something is amiss – don’t we want to investigate that? Unanswered is the question: Is the Affordable Housing Trust, as presently constituted, the best way to accomplish affordable housing? Those who suggest the Warrant item believe it may not be the best way for Stockbridge to accomplish the goal because…

They believe too many folks voted to establish the Affordable Housing Trust without understanding exactly how it operates.

They want to redo the vote after voters are fully informed and understand how AHT operates. They believe the present make-up of the AHT is not the state-recommended model and not the most effective makeup.

They are concerned about oversight.

Turning Conflict into Conversation

Okay…

Let’s agree we want both affordable and workforce housing addressed.

Let’s agree that we want it to be addressed in the most effective way.

Let’s acknowledge there are many options to organize and many options for what town office, commission, board, or trust leads the way.

Now with respect and courtesy, let the discussion begin. Not at Town Meeting with a vote hanging in the balance, and the clock ticking, but in a series of open meetings with a focus on options and information.

A Hearty Round of Applause

The members of our AHT are smart and hard working. They are focused, contemplative, and sincerely committed. They deserve our thanks and appreciation for volunteering and working on our behalf.

It is recommended that the members of the AHT be experienced in housing and development. Our AHT members are not. Of the seven, only one has any experience in real estate development. It is recommended that Trust members be lawyers, developers, builders, and government workers who wrote the regulations, awarded the grants, and oversaw the affordable housing projects.

The quality of our Trust members is unimpeachable; the problem is to develop twenty years of knowledge and experience takes twenty years. If we agree there is no substitute for knowledge and experience then it is more practical for the Select Board to appoint lawyers, developers, builders and government overseers with twenty years of experience. Appointees, remember, can come from anywhere, they need not be Stockbridge residents. There may be other ways to fund housing, and we could benefit from considering them. There may be more effective ways than AHT asking CPC for hundreds of thousands of dollars in case of a “real estate emergency”

There may be more direct ways than asking CPC to give money to AHT so AHT can give it to Construct so Construct can award it to renters who cannot pay their rent. This is silliness without being funny.

These people have given their time and talent for two years and got folks mad but no other observable outcome. It is not what they want and not what we want. Let’s get in there – sit down together as friends and figure out the best most effective way forward. We have a common goal. Let’s not ignore the problem. Let’s not undo anything, but let’s leave the door open to reviewing everything.Carole Owens
Executive Editor

by Carole Owens, Executive Editor

News

SU FYI

The Stockbridge Mohican Commission 

The members of the newly formed committee are Rich Bradway, Bonney Hartley, Shannon Holsey, Patrick White, Sherry White, and Rick Wilcox. The three members from the Mohican Nation do not wish to conduct open meetings. They would prefer to meet in public only to announce decisions. Apparently, that is a possibility, but it would be a loss to the many supporters and folks who take an active interest in this commission.

Berkshire Botanical Garden announces a summer exhibition. As we shiver and wait for the next snow, it seems too early to discuss to discuss “DayDream, A Summer Exhibition.” However, we could not resist giving you something to look forward to. Look at this line-up: works by Salvador Dalí, Annie Leibovitz, Yoko Ono, Jamie Wyeth, plus. Open June through August 2025. More details when the snow melts.

Congratulations to Monument Mountain Regional High School senior Audrey Allard. A four-year singer in the high school chorus, Allard has been accepted into the Massachusetts All-State Chorus ensemble. To earn this coveted placement, she competed against students from across the state and is one of just three vocalists from Monument to be chosen in the past 20 years. On Saturday, March 29th, Audrey will perform at Symphony Hall in Boston.Congratulations and many, many Happy Returns to Shirley Franz Miller – 95 years old this month.

News

Local News Around the Town

From the desk of Town Administrator Michael Canales

Stockbridge Launches Community Choice Power Supply Program This Spring

The Town of Stockbridge is excited to announce the launch of its Community Choice Power Supply Program starting with April 2025 meter reads. This initiative aims to lower electricity costs for residents while increasing renewable energy usage. The program is part of a 7-month contract with Direct Energy Services and offers three energy products with varying levels of renewable content.

Residents can expect savings compared to National Grid’s rates: 

• Standard (Default): 25% renewable energy, $0.12290 per kWh, 16% savings, about $14 monthly savings. 
  • Optional Green 25: 50% renewable energy, $0.13360 per kWh, 9% savings, about $8 monthly savings. 
  • Optional Green 100: 100% renewable energy, $0.14330 per kWh, 2% savings, about $2 monthly savings.

“Our electricity program allows us to reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources and decrease our carbon emissions, while also lowering electricity bills,” said Michael Canales, Town Administrator.

Enrollment is automatic for all residents and businesses currently on National Grid’s Basic Service, with no action required to participate. The program operates on an opt-out basis, and there are no fees for enrollment, cancellation, or early termination. Residents can opt out or switch between products at any time without penalties, though those under contracts with third-party suppliers should check for potential termination fees.

Electricity service will continue without interruption, and National Grid will remain responsible for billing and customer service. The only noticeable change will be “Direct Energy” listed under “Supply Services” on bills starting May 2025.

An information session will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 6 PM at Town Hall, 50 Main Street, Stockbridge. For more information, residents can visit colonialpowergroup.com/stockbridge or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1.

The Town will evaluate future energy contracts when this agreement ends in November 2025, collaborating with 17 other Berkshire County communities in ongoing energy negotiations

News

New Berkshire News – Around the County

The Changing Outlook for Rentals
By Dave Carver

We have three examples of the changing outlook. Two in Williamstown and one example in Lee. The mill project in Lee started with a mixed use plan: commercial, market housing, and some affordable. All that is left may be 100 percent affordable.

Also, the cost of the new government regulated housing is approaching $600,000 per apartment. They are small and basic. This kind of cost must have an inflationary impact on all privately financed housing. $600,000 per affordable unit only works because the government funds a portion so the actual cost does not matter.

Since I have been in Berkshire County, I estimate that way over 1000 units of government-regulated rental housing have been built and only a small fraction of them for market rate rental housing. At the same time, the population has decreased from 150,000 in 1980 to 125,000 today so you would think there would be a surplus of rental housing. And in fact, there is. However, much of what is vacant is low quality and/or needs substantial renovation.

The ten percent state guideline is for every housing unit in a town and since most Berkshires towns are 2/3 single family or duplex and those are not generally regulated in any meaningful amount, the 10 percent must be derived from remaining 1/3 of multifamily so as a practical matter the rule is saying 33% of a town’s multifamily rental housing should be government regulated.

In Pittsfield and North Adams, I would estimate the number of government regulated multifamily housing is growing and is heading towards 50%. I don’t think a lot people realize the actual numbers are that high.

You can see I think we need more market rate rental housing to maintain a healthy balance of housing options for all income groups. Building low income housing has always been easier to build because the government offers financial plans to build it and make it more profitable than market-rate housing, but we need it, and the good news is many elected officials and development officials realize that and are helping. For the record, we still own and manage 75 units of scattered site regulated housing in north county built from 1987 to 1991 and we sold 57 units I built in 1983 in Pittsfield so I’m aware of how the system works.

Editor’s Note: This is the second article about housing by Dave Carver, a developer with 40 years of experience. Carver uses the term “market rate” housing as others use the term “workforce” housing. Market rate (workforce) rental housing is defined for those earning up to 100% of Area Median Income (AMI). Affordable rental housing is for folks earning 50% or less of AMI. AMI is $76,000 annually. The target set by the government for rent is 30% of income. For those who qualify, the government subsidy is the difference between 30% of income and the actual cost of rent for those who qualify.  

Contributors

Berkshire Botanical Garden to Unveil “DayDream” Summer Exhibition Featuring Salvador Dalí, Annie Leibovitz, Yoko Ono, Jamie Wyeth, and More

By Felix Carroll
 

This summer, from June 6 through August 11, the Berkshire Botanical Garden (BBG) will transform into a haven for artistic reverie with DayDream, a new exhibition featuring works by some of the most renowned names in contemporary and modern art. DayDream will be in the Leonhardt Galleries, open daily, 9am to 5pm.

Immerse yourselves in the boundless imagination of legendary figures such as Salvador Dalí, Annie Leibovitz, Yoko Ono, and Jamie Wyeth, alongside a diverse array of contemporary artists like Roz Chast, Will Cotton, Ellsworth Kelly, and Kenny Scharf. Spanning painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media, DayDream promises to be a stunning and thought-provoking journey into the artistic subconscious.

Curator, James Salomon is director of design projects at Achille Salvagni Atelier, which has showrooms in Rome, London, and New York. He has created a show steeped in imagination – playful and unexpected.

BBG Trustee Chair Matt Larkin and Trustee Joanne Cassullo have been instrumental in bringing DayDream to life.

Norman Rockwell Museum Celebrates the Famous Artists Cartoonist Course

By Stephanie Plunkett
 

Launched in 1956 the school was a groundbreaking correspondence course designed to teach aspiring cartoonists the tricks of the trade. With lessons written by some of the most renowned artists of the time, including Rube Goldberg, Al Capp, Milton Caniff, and Dick Cavalli, the course helped chart the path for future generations of comic artists. The course’s curriculum was designed to instill both the technical fundamentals and the joy of creating art for a mass audience, encouraging students to have fun with their craft – a philosophy that continues to resonate with today’s creators.

“Comic strips, gag cartoons, and humorous drawings have been widely appreciated by audiences across time and media outlets. During the twentieth century, the prospects for enthusiastic, well-trained comic artists appeared to be limitless,” said Norman Rockwell Museum Chief Curator Stephanie Haboush Plunkett. “We are honored to showcase the Museum’s outstanding collection of original artworks by the nation’s top cartoonists – the founding creators of the Famous Artists Cartoon Course who encouraged aspiring artists to hone their craft and pursue their dreams.”

Responding to public interest, the Famous Artists Cartoon Course was an outgrowth of the successful Famous Artists School’s commercial and fine art correspondence courses that were established in 1948, in Westport, CT.

The exhibition brings together a diverse selection of more than 75 works, including original process and finished artworks from the Permanent Illustration Collection of the Norman Rockwell Museum.

The program consisted of 24 distinct lessons, each with a focused theme, from The Comic Figure to Anatomy and Perspective. Each lesson was accompanied by an assignment that students were asked to complete and submit for assessment. All for Laughs will also feature a dynamic video component that delves into the history of the Famous Artists Cartoonist Course.

Statehouse Updates

By Christine Rasmussen

2025 began with many new regulations, reports, and overwhelming national actions, including freezing federal funds. Within the guidelines of Stockbridge Updates, there is limited space to cover these issues, so I will try to provide a synopsis with links for more information.

A major concern is Federal Funding -The press reports that the federal government has frozen $15 billion in federal reimbursements for essential Massachusetts infrastructure, like roads and bridges, education, public schools, help to pay for health care for low-income people, and local government and school functions. This action also impacts the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC), a conduit for managing small federal grants that pay for projects that benefit four key stakeholder groups – non-profits, municipalities, school districts, and entrepreneurs. As I write this, a judge ordered the release of the funds, and the administration is pushing back; https://berkshirefundingfocus.org/about-us/ and https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/02/03/trump-solar-epa-inflation-reduction-act-energy-massachusetts.

Last Thursday, Governor Maura Healey released “A Home for Everyone,” the state’s first comprehensive statewide housing plan that outlines the challenges facing Massachusetts, identifies state and local needs, and sets goals for housing production and preservation, calling for 22,000 new units by 2035. The report includes information received from residents and BRPC during a meeting at BCC last spring, including the mismatch between housing costs and local incomes, the loss of year-round homes to disrepair, and seasonal rentals. In her report, Healey called on Berkshire County to build more than 1,744 additional housing units over the next decade. www.mass.gov/info-details/a-home-for-everyone-Massachusetts-statewide-housing-plan

Article 97 Land In Massachusetts, “Article 97 land” refers to land protected under Article 97 of the state constitution, guaranteeing citizens the right to a clean environment, including natural, scenic, and historical qualities, meaning that such land cannot be quickly sold, developed, or significantly altered without a two-thirds vote of the state legislature due to its protected conservation status; essentially, it is a legal mechanism to preserve open space and natural areas. Several large tracts of land are protected under these regs, which the state has started to review. For more information, https://www.mass.gov/doc/draft-open-space-act-regulations-301-cmr-5200-112224/download.

As of February 2, Accessory Dwelling Units or granny flats of less than 900 square feet can be built statewide by right in single-family zoning districts. Stockbridge’s Select Board/Planning Board is reviewing options for regulations and proposed bylaws by Selectman Patrick White to allow one additional dwelling unit per property to full-time legal residents, defined as living in their homes at least 183 days a year, and requiring significant new residential housing developments, but not hotel projects, to include affordable housing units, based on the size of the project, or pay into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

by Christine, Rasmussen

Reader to Reader

Reader to Reader

Reader to ReaderThank you to everyone who said “welcome back” to Stockbridge Updates. It is good to be back.

Carole:

How everything has changed in three weeks is ——-, I don’t know what to say. Freezing federal funds is cruel. A farmer I know wanted to put in an irrigation system, and he received federal funding to cover part of the cost. However, he needed to spend the money with the expectation of being reimbursed by the feds. He would never have undertaken the project without the guarantee of reimbursement. Now the government is holding the funds he is owed and needs to buy the seeds, etc., that he needs, or he will lose more income. As you said, it’s mean.

Dear Reader,

Thank you for sending this note underscoring how the stark, swift political changes are hurting real people – our friends and neighbors.

Carole

To All Stockbridge Updates Readers:

We are off to Boston February 27, 2025.

Please give Chris Brittain a call at Lee Town Hall (413) 409-5976 to secure a seat in the bus. Ths is a very important event in our fight for environmental justice for Lee and all folks in the Housatonic River corridor. Tim Gray and the Housatonic River Initiative (HRI) have generoulsly paid for the cost of the bus. Please consider making a donation to HRI so that they might continue the work they have accomplished over decades.