News

Special Election August 26, 2025 8am to 6:30pm

Candidates Return papers by July 8, 2025

Guest Editorial

By Harold French

I miss the town where I grew up, where we had neighborhoods with children playing and you knew your neighbors. My hometown was Stockbridge Massachusetts, where you knew almost everyone walking on the street. We didn’t need house numbers because we all had names that we all knew. The few employees that the town had were residents of the town. We didn’t have to leave town for the necessities of life, we had two grocery stores, a store where we could buy clothes and toys at Christmas time. We had a hardware store where you could buy a large variety of hardware, guns and ammunition, and PENNY CANDY. We had two businesses with lunch counters, a drug store, one gift shop, a meat market and a bank. There was even a barbershop and a tailor. There were 7 places to buy gasoline which included 2 car dealerships. We even had a real newspaper that had pages of local news and cost a nickel. We had a volunteer police department and a volunteer fire department with close to 100 members and a police officer on the street. We didn’t have much in the line of tourists, just people who came around for a concert at Tanglewood. Most of those people stayed at Heaton Hall or the Red Lion Inn and a few boarding houses around town. Tanglewood was a formal place where the women wore gowns, and the men wore suits or tuxes. We had no museums except for Mission House. There were many dairy farms and hundreds of horses and probably a thousand chickens. You could hear cows and chickens in every neighborhood. We had real health care and doctors who made house calls. If you had a medical emergency, you could go to Riggs where the doctors were Medical Doctors. No need for 911, you just picked up your telephone and the LOCAL telephone operator knew you and your family.

My hometown has become just a place to suit the needs of city people with second homes and visitors. I sure do miss my hometown of Stockbridge Massachusetts.

Addendum

To Carole: I sent what I wrote to my brother, and this is what he sent back. Harold

“My additional thoughts. What happened to us where we all take care of each other and keep an eye out for all of us.

Helping each other, not being afraid to ask for help or offering to help others.

I don’t remember homelessness, there were those down on their luck, but they were not forgotten.

I don’t remember those lacking medical care, always taken care of.

Now it is me and l. What’s in it for me or what do I get out of it?

I don’t remember politics much. You just voted for who you think would do the best getting the job done and then we supported them to be successful. They did it for the love of the town, not the money or agenda.

We didn’t grow up with prejudice, people were judged upon character. Some beat to a different drum, but nobody cared, they were neighbors.

If you were in need, help was with your nearest neighbor. Doors weren’t locked. Always able to get shelter and use the phone. We shared, we loved, and we remembered.”

by Harold French

News

SU FYI

Stockbridge resident, Joe Shapiro, recently purchased Overleigh (sometimes spelled Overlee), the Berkshire Cottage located on Old Stockbridge Road, built by Samuel Frothingham in 1903.

Raised in St. Louis, Shapiro’s association with the Berkshires began forty years ago at Camp Greylock in Becket, and he has been a fan ever since.

In 2020, during the pandemic, he moved his family to Stockbridge, bought a house, and settled in. He volunteered with the Stockbridge Fire Department and soon was looking for a local investment property.

Overleigh, formerly the Hillcrest Educational Center campus, fit the bill. He formed a Limited Liability Corporation to develop the property.

In a telephone conversation, Shapiro shared that he will apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals to develop a resort using extant buildings. The house may have 20 rooms to rent. The gymnasia might become the centerpiece of a sports facility. There will be dining and a large gathering space. He hopes it will be completed within two years.

News

Events

1. Norman Rockwell Museum presents Artist Talk with Walter Wick: Children are the Best Audience! July 19, 11:00am

Meet Walter Wick at this special artist talk for all ages. Photographic illustrator Walter Wick has remarked that “children…are the most dedicated and inquisitive audience any artist could hope for.” Wick will discuss how his childhood love of the outdoors, building and play led him on the path to the creation of dozens of books, including the I SPY and Can You See What I See series. Wick will share some of his favorite images. He will also share some advice for young artists and will talk about the unique challenges and possibilities of making images that foster creativity and imagination in people of every generation.

Following Walter Wick’s artist talk, our classroom will open for artmaking activities.

Free with Museum admission; Free for kids, teens and Members

2. Chesterwood presents Arts Alive! June 20 & 21 at 5:30pm

Ian Spencer Bell: Dancer and Poet – The program, called “11 Pieces”, features a pair of 1904 Isadora Duncan works choreographed to Frédéric Chopin’s Minute Waltz and its partner, Narcissus, with live music by classical pianist Lauren Aloia. Bell will also premiere a new self-choreographed piece, Two Impromptus, inspired by intensive training with Sankai Juku, a butoh dance troupe in Japan this past summer.

These programs will include the new monthly ice cream socials for children, reviving a beloved tradition of the French family to open Chesterwood to the community. Chesterwood is teaming up with High Lawn Farm for Monthly Summer Ice Cream Socials for Children on June 22, July 26, and August 24.

News

Notes from Affordable Housing Trust (AHT), May 22, 2025, Hybrid meeting

1. Chair Ranee Warner called the meeting to order; minutes approved

2. Patrick White reported on money on hand, funds granted, and anticipated

a. From 35-37 Interlaken – volunteer donation of $25,000 for each of 23 residences over time as built – $575,000.

b. From CPC $100,000

c. On hand approximately $300,000

d. Total $975,000

3. 4 -5 grants for improvements if qualify

4. Age in place grants (20) through Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) up to $50,000 per grant – pay back when house sold or death and transfer

5. Mark Mills reported on funds available for infrastructure – GB received $3.2million. If AHT proceeds on Glendale Middle Road, could be funds for infrastructure. Michael Canales has worked on this type of grant and could help. First, apply for planning grant to have information to prepare construction grant. Whether we were competitive may rely upon how many houses the AHT plans to build on Glendale Middle Road – more units may generate more interest on part of state to be competitive for state grants.

6. Jan Ackerman reported on Pine Street property. Determining if purchase is a viable option given high purchase price and number of wheelchair and handicapped accessible units possible. Since there isk no elevator, basement and second floor units may be have to be work force apartments.

7. Bruce Auerbach reported on bringing water onto Glendale Middle Road property. An analysis by a consultant would cost approximately $7900 and would include cost estimates for providing water and waterpower for firefighting.

White asked why this is on the agenda when at the last AHT meeting the Trust voted to table this item. Any suggestion to build made by AHT goes to Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to justify the variance since the Town met it obligation of 10% affordable housing. At same time, Stockbridge is named by the Commonwealth for designation as a Seasonal Community pending a vote by the town. Therefore, AHT should not spend any more money until after the Seasonal Community vote and perhaps meeting with ZBA. The Chair argued AHT will have to be prepared for a ZBA application for a variance so AHT should continue information gathering.

White position was to wait and not tom spend money now. The Chaiur’s position was to continue to information gather in order to be prepared.

White moved to table decision on the $7900 expenditure. It passed 6 to 1. The item was tabled.

8. Group discussion followed. Mills and Auerbach suggested that a worthwhile task would be to make a list of possibles, that is, land and buildings that may be used for affordable and work force housing

Adjourned

News

Notes from the Planning Board (PB), June 3, 2025, Hybrid meeting

Chair Kate Fletcher called the meeting to order. Thanked Nancy Sosha for her service as she leaves the PB. Approved minutes of two prior meeting. Appointments for Chair, Vice Chair, and Representative to Berkshire Regional Planning (BRPC). Fletcher, Pitney and Slosek approved to continue as Chair, Vice Chair, and Clerk respectively. Christine Rasmussen, BRPC rep from SB, will, in effect, cover for both boards, SB and PB. Lis Wheeler will continue as AHT rep to Community Preservation Committee (CPC).

It was decided that future PB meetings would occur on a need-to-meet basis. Slosek agreed as along as the PB was not holding up anyone who had submitted a request. For example, for a sign application.

Wayne Slosek thanked Jennifer for her service as Secretary of PB.

Meeting adjourned

News

Notes from Water and Sewer, June 3, 2025, Hybrid meeting

1. Chair Don Schneyer called the meeting to order and the minutes were approved

2. A representative from the Marian Fathers discussed the new pump house to accommodate the new building. Michael Buffoni, Water Superintendent agreed current pump was inadequate and the choices were

a. Shut existing pump station and replace

b. Build new pump station “next door” and when ready switch over

B was a better option because there would be no interruption in service.

Fire Chief agreed. He was involved due to sprinkler system and water pressure for fire.

Michael Buffoni further discussion about fire hydrants and pumps certified to 150% of need. Buffoni – agreement on paper to that effect. Agreement to proceed

3. Agreement on hydrant fees – Town Counsel should enumerate the terms and write the contract

4. Town Meeting:

a. New truck approved at Town Meeting and “now the only decision left is what color should Mike’s truck be?”

b. Town will clean the Marian Father’s water tank. Someone asked why does Town clean a water tank a privately-owned water tank?

c. Peter Sosha touched on the land acquisition article but since it did not relate to this Commission, Chair moved on.

d. Feasibility study for new firehouse

5. Sampling private wells for isotopes, calcium, and magnesium content

6. Sewer Superintendent not present but sent report that sewer manholes were being looked at and the rehab project of sewer manholes was started and is ongoing

7. Approve July billing at a late July meeting if possible —planned August meeting to accommodate

8. Raised some hydrants on North Church asnew sidewalk going in.

9. Misting nozzle on Cat and Dog Fountain.

10. 7 inches of rain last month – reservoir overflowing

11. 26 customers out of 720 have galvanized pipe. In May, one customer replaced it.

Adjourned

News

Notes from the Select Board, June 6, 2025, Hybrid meeting

1. Chair Jamie Minacci called the meeting to order and suggested a change in the order of the agenda items. She wished to move the reorganization of the Select Board to the last item.

2. Patrick White objected and wished to keep the order of agenda items as written. Minacci asked Chuck Cardillo, who took no position, and the three members agreed.

3. Minacci asked Cardillo and White if either of them would like to be chair. Chuck declined; Patrick responded it was his turn to be chair.

4. Minacci said it is not in the bylaws or the charter, it [rotating the chairmanship] “was just something we have practiced for a while.” She added that she wanted to be chair.

5. She said her chairmanship was shortened by her race in the primary for state represent and she would like more time.

6. White again asserted it was his turn.

7. Cardillo was offended by an email White sent as if it were telling him what to do or how to vote.

8. White explained, assuming he would be chair, he sent an email that began, “As is tradition…” he was sharing his proposed agenda in the spirit of transparency.

9. Minacci reported that she called Town Counsel about the email and Donna Brewer gave a legal opinion that the email broke open meeting law. Minacci said, “if that is the way he [White] started she was concerned with whatever else he would do.”

10. Cardillo said “for the good of the Town and working together…”

11. He was interrupted by someone on Zoom adding a comment.

12. Cardillo said it was not time for public comment.

13. White asked, “why not?”

14. Cardillo said because this was a SB decision. Cardillo asked that mics of Zoom participants be “cut off.”

15. White said, all decisions were SB decisions and the public should be allowed to speak. He said that he laid out items “we should address” and that he made the suggestions expecting to be chair in the spirit of transparency

16. Chuck nominated Minacci

17. White exited with the comment, “Okay I will let you know if I will be back.”

18. Meeting limped ahead with Minacci chairing and questioning Canales about what she could and could not do with only two members remaining. Public hearings were rescheduled.

19. Unfortunately a number of comments exchanged between Minacci and Cardillo belittling or insulting White after he left were caught on Mic.

Adjourned

Editor’s note: There is nothing in writing anywhere that says if someone says hi at the post office, we have to say hi back. Nothing in writing that says if asked, “How are you?” We respond, “Fine, thank you and you?” There is nothing in writing anywhere that says we rotate the chair – but with rare exception we always did. Why? Same reason we say hi back. It’s nice. It acknowledges the other person. It is not selfish to the exclusion of the other. It’s nice. Shall we codify niceness? Perhaps we are getting to that moment in time when we have to.

In Stockbridge, nice was tradition. John Beacco called a tradition of niceness a “dignified and caring” approach to life. Mary Flynn called it “the Stockbridge way.”

When we are lost or at odds, tradition is the safest, sanest thing to cling to. Too bad this meeting and the people in it – including Town Counsel and the Town Administrator – forgot that and lost their way so absolutely.

FYI Mary Flynn was the first woman to serve on the SB in Stockbridge history. She did not want to push it by acting as chair. Over their twenty years on the SB, at her request, John Beacco served consecutive terms as chair to accommodate her. Just as Don Chabon served consecutive terms when Terry Flynn was ill. These were agreed upon acts of kindness.

News

Report from the Statehouse

MILUS and the State Budget

By Christine Rasmussen

At the recent 5th Thursday event held by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Corrin Meise-Munns, an experienced land use and environmental planner who recently joined the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs, explained the Massachusetts Integrated Land Use Strategy (MILUS), a new coordinated initiative aimed at shaping the future of land use in the Commonwealth. This initiative is designed to create policies that value and support the connection between land use, energy, and transportation, fostering more compact development, reducing emissions, and protecting natural resources.

This effort will require the heads of each division within the office to collaborate to ensure that the state takes coordinated actions. These actions will result in management plans, enhance their ability to achieve a resilient and sustainable future, tie public investment decisions to comprehensive planning, and meet sustainability goals with climate resilience and equity.

While the initiative sounds worthwhile, Ms. Meise-Munns was reminded of the value that residents in this rural county place on Home Rule, and she was urged to keep this in mind as she coordinates with numerous agencies, as secretaries work on planning for the state’s future.

THE STATE BUDGET: Earlier this year, the Governor introduced a state budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which begins on July 1, 2025. The House of Representatives then passed its budget proposal totaling $61.5 billion. The Massachusetts Senate has also passed its budget proposal, which totals $61.4 billion. Now, a conference committee is trying to reconcile the significant differences, which include:

Transportation:

The Senate budget allocates $214 million for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs), which is $10 million more than the House and Governor’s proposals.

Education:

Both the House and Senate budgets continue implementing the Student Opportunity Act funding schedules and increase minimum aid to $150 per pupil.

The Senate’s budget includes $170 million in Fair Share funding for universal school meals, while the House includes $190 million.

Local Aid:

The Senate proposes $1.333 billion for Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA), which is level with the Governor’s budget but $29 million more than the House.

Since the House and Senate versions were passed, the chairs of their Ways and Means Committees have been holding private negotiations to reach an agreement on a final bill, as the uncertainty of $1 billion in Medicaid funding included in the “Big Beautiful Bill” plays out amid the chaos in Washington.

With the July 1 budget deadline fast approaching, there are various opinions abouts how state leaders should proceed, with two schools of thoughts emerging, one is to wait until Washington adopts their budget and then finalize state spending, the other is to pass the bill that with the governor’s signature it’s final, it is the governor’s budget. If there are federal cuts, it becomes Governor Healey who will need to make the adjustments, giving her the power and the blame. Just creating another uncertainty for local leaders to deal with.

by Christine Rasmussen

Watch Now!

SU TV

Exit Interview: Patrick White

Perspective

1989

By John Beacco

Introduction: Barney Edmonds pointed out a short piece from The Stockbridge Story published in 1989 on the 250th anniversary of the town. John Beacco, then Chair of the Select Board, was asked to write an answer to the question: what will Stockbridge be like in the 21st century? Well, here we are in the 21st Century, how did Chairman Beacco do?

Beacco wrote: There are more reasons for optimism than for despair as we approach the year 2000. First, we are blessed with an enlightened and involved citizenry committed to preserving our residential village. It is ever vigilant to any attempt to alter the direction and ambiance charted for us so very long ago. This communal attitude manifests itself in the carefully constructed, strict bylaws which reflect our values and future. Not only is it in place, but it is consistently re-evaluated to eliminate areas of weakness that could be exploited. But a bylaw is useless without leadership confident and courageous enough to implement it. Over the years, Stockbridge has been very fortunate to have selectmen, planning boards, conservation committees, and zoning boards of appeal willing to make difficult, altruistic decisions.

What did Beacco treasure and what did he say would preserve and protect us?

Altruism: caring for Stockbridge not a preoccupation with self

Courage: to do the right thing

Respect: for those who came before us and the exceptional job they did

Tradition: the thing that guides us when we are unsure or lost or in conflict with one another.

by John Beacco

Perspective

On Leadership

By Teresa O’Brient

Carole, thank you for the interview with Patrick White. Many folks like myself were wondering how such an abrupt circumstance could have come about and the interview helped bring understanding to a surprising development! The thing that stood out for me was the mention of leadership and how much it matters. I know from my own experience running a small business, along with my time as a young person working for a large corporation, as well as my long years of volunteer work, that the same organization (which really means the same people) can have vastly different outcomes when leadership lays the groundwork for the spirit of cooperation and professionalism. This type of leadership affects productivity and morale and lays the groundwork for creative, best outcomes. Hopefully, our town leaders will recognize the truth of this, because if they do, everyone in Stockbridge will benefit.

Editor’s note: Thank you for sharing with us. O’Brient had a very successful experience in a leadership role. On her watch, under her guidance, the impossible was made possible without muss or fuss or battles. The result is Old Town Hall reclaimed and restored on time and below budget. Even in these times of sharp divisions there are things that transcend and please us all — Berkshire Waldorf High School is one example.

by Teresa O'Brient

The Last Word

Reader to Reader

Stockbridge Updates received too many letters in response to White stepping down and his exit interview on CTSBTV – The Stockbridge Updates show to print. Please allow us to summarize them.

The majority were sad and felt his resignation was a loss to the Town. Three were happy. A few were angry and wanted to “do something.” Some were insistent and wanted to undo something, that is, White’s resignation. Fewer were unaware of the meeting and asked for more information.

As always, SU hopes that our reporting supplied the desired information, and if not, SU encourages everyone to submit follow up questions.

Closing thoughts in coverage of this story:

SU thanks White for his service and also notes his exemplary record of accomplishment in the areas of land conservation, reconciliation with our co-founders, the Mohicans, municipal budgeting, and the foundational steps in increasing affordable and work force housing by establishing the Affordable Housing Trust and passage of the Residential Inclusionary Bylaw to fund AHT.

SU wishes him well in his future and is certain the whole Town joins us in that wish.

SU has an additional obligation, every newspaper, no matter how small, shares the responsibility to inform, to tell truth to power, and even to point out problems in governance and mistakes by governors. In a democracy, it is everyone’s job. If you see something say something is an easy slogan to say but a hard thing to do. Nevertheless, SU hopes all of us join together in doing the hard stuff.

Remember civics class? Civics is the study of a citizen’s rights and duties. The objective of civics class was to equip us with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate effectively in a democratic society. We learned about specifics such as the three branches of government and concepts such as representative democracy, majority rule, and the importance of the rule of law. In short, we learned about the power of the people and how to wield it.

By promoting civic literacy and engagement, civics education contributed to the strength and stability of democratic societies. We all have a stake in and a responsibility to maintain the stability of democratic societies. We all have to do it: if you see something, say something even when it’s hard.

It may be made easier to remember that process is important. We don’t have to attack people -– get the process right and the rest follows. For example, if our new board loses their way and starts to say stuff like it’s a SB decision – no public comment is necessary – we need to gently remind them that is not so and shouldn’t be. They represent us, and we the people must be ready to inform them. Everyone’s voice is heard. Everyone listens and grants the speaker dignified response. The best solution comes from a confluence of ideas. In a democracy we all work, or democracy doesn’t.