Editorial

Transparency — The Bad Penny

Six years ago, in the late afternoon of a wintery day, a group of us sat around my living room and talked about what Stockbridge Updates could be. We agreed its goal was to inform the public and increase government transparency.

The 2015 Select Board election exposed the need for transparency. The winner, Chuck Cardillo, told The Eagle he won because “the voters wanted a more open government.”

The loser, Deb McMenamy, told The Eagle she lost because the voters thought the Select Board (Chuck Gillett, Steve Shatz, and McMenamy) had been acting without transparency.

Then followed what The Eagle termed a “self-imposed legal wonderland” during which Fred Rutberg, a judge and not yet a publisher, said, “I think a real communication problem has surfaced between the [select] board and the town.”

In the last decade, like a bad penny, the issue of transparency, keeps turning up. Stockbridge Updates said we would inform Stockbridge; we did what we said we would do. So, SU started small and grew.

It is easy to inform when the news is good. It gets much harder when the news is bad. We all prefer good news, but we are a smart bunch, and we know, sometimes stuff goes wrong. It is better to know, and good news or bad, it’s Stockbridge Updates‘ job to deliver it to you. So here goes…

Did you know Stockbridge Highway Superintendent, Hugh Page, was placed on administrative leave, and could be fired? Did you know the Highway Superintendent before Hugh, Len Tisdale, was placed on administrative leave and then fired? Do we have a personnel problem or a management problem? Are there other indicators in Town Offices?

Personnel matters are confidential and only the employee is free to share the information. So, we are not privy to the specifics. However, it is our right to know: Who placed him on leave, by what process, and overseen by whom? Who exactly has the authority to hire and fire? Who does performance evaluations and how often? If the Town Administrator, then who evaluates him? Next question: how do we find out?

In 2025, at the June 6th Select Board (SB) meeting, ironically, Cardillo said he did not want to hear from the public “because this is a SB decision.” In the same meeting, Chair Minacci asked the Town Administrator to turn off the mics of those attending via Zoom.

In prior meetings, when he was Chair, Cardillo removed the time for public comment and questions from the agenda. In public hearings, as Chair, Minacci limited all public comment to 2 minutes per person at the very end of the hearing. That is now an element in a lawsuit against the Town. (See SU FYI below).

Even without anywhere to ask them, the questions multiply: why is the relatively new Highway Department Building located at the Transfer Station already in need of repair? Why are we pursuing shared services when other towns, such as West Stockbridge, are saying shared services cost more? When West Stockbridge declined to share building inspector services with us because it would cost $31,000 more annually, will the multimillion-dollar shared fire services cost more? What happened to those fun summer Saturdays when we met on Town beach with the second homeowners — as if welcoming them back? Fun — friendly — where did they go?

SU will continue to ask the questions and report. Join us — we can all ask for and deserve — accountability.

Carole Owens
Executive Editor

by Carole Owens Executive Editor

News

SU FYI

1. By the time you read this, with luck, the heat wave will have broken. Nonetheless, it is good to know that there is a cooling center in Town Offices. It is downstairs in the Senior Center.

2. Charles and Barbara Kenny have filed suit against Patrick Sheehan, 35-37 Interlaken Realty Trust, the Town of Stockbridge, and the individual members of the SB — Jamie Minacci, Chuck Cardillo, and Patrick White. The attorney for the plaintiff is James Martin. The plaintiff alleges harm as a result of the Special Permit granted due to limiting public input, not following extant bylaws, and more.

However, the plaintiffs had 20 days in which to file. Apparently, they filed with the court in a timely manner but missed the deadline when filing with the Town. On that basis, the Town will challenge.

If the suit goes forward, what will happen to the conditions the SB placed on the permit including the conservation restriction on more than 200 acres? What will happen to the conditions both sides accepted, for example, the extent of density?

3. Once we had Select Board members for 15, 20, even 25 years. In the last ten years, many Select Board members have served just one term. In the same ten years, we have had three Town Administrators, two Highway Supervisors, and three Directors of Senior Services (four counting the year the Chair of the Council on Aging stepped in and served in that capacity.) And there was more turnover. Should we be helping? When something is wrong, people ought not just stand back, and they ought not just criticize, we can also pitch in and help.

News

Events

1. Chesterwood will hold its inaugural Garden Tea Party and fundraiser, Saturday, July 12 from 3:00 — 5:00pm. It will celebrate the first recipient of the Daniel Chester French Award, sculptor, Richard Blake.

Chesterwood is hosting a Garden Tea Party, a new fundraising gathering under a big tent, offering tea, cocktails, and live entertainment in support of its growing activities for children and families. Executive Director Miguel Rodrigeuz says, “Having grown up surrounded by art, music, and historic sites, I’m passionate about creating a pathway for children and families of The Berkshires and beyond to engage with these cultural experiences. Our goal is to help cultivate the next generation of artists, collectors and preservationists. Chesterwood’s new programs for children are designed to do just that.” For more details go to www.chesterwood.org

2. Norman Rockwell Museum invites you to Wick’s Hidden Wonders, an exhibition that transforms puzzles, illusions, and found objects into magical works of art the whole family will enjoy. While you’re here, check out Norman’s Rockwell’s timeless and beautifully detailed scenes of American life, grab a snack at our Museum Café, and explore our scenic grounds.

A Special Event at NRM, “We Hold These Truths,” July 4th, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, in collaboration with The Guthrie Center, NRM will celebrate American independence and democracy with a day of holiday programming. Listen to a public recitation of the Declaration of Independence read by Berkshire County community leaders and residents. Enjoy live music by folk singer Doug Mishkin and by performers Annie and Abe Guthrie. Experience Norman Rockwell’s iconic paintings exploring the themes of freedom and civil rights and reflect on what these ideals mean today. Make your own art to celebrate America’s birthday. Bring your picnic blanket and spend the afternoon enjoying the music and the beautiful Berkshire views. Free with museum admission. Public reading and afternoon music is open to everyone.

News

An Update From the Green Committee Chair Laura Dubester

Four charging stations for electric vehicles are available to residents and visitors. They are located on the east side of the Town Offices across from the basketball court. These are Level 2 chargers (not the slowest and not the fastest) and can with used easily using the QR code with a cellular telephone (no app required). We are glad that people are using them and hope that they will be a convenience to you, your guests and visitors to Stockbridge.

News

Notes from the Conservation Committee, June 24, 2025, Hybrid

Jim Finnerty, Ice Glen Road, Stockbridge, presented his plan to offer 40 acres of the 75 he owns to the Town to become conserved park land. His price is $600,000. The 40 acres that Jim is offering is extraordinary. Truly a picture is worth a thousand words. Please go to www.preservationinc.org and click on the video in the upper left corner.

The 40-acre parcel offers special features: meadowland with mountain views, walking trails, historic sites such as the location of the Town’s water supply prior to Lake Averic, and Burgoyne’s Pass.

In 1877, General John Burgoyne’s task was to match south from Canada and in successive battles defeat and cut off New England from General Washington’s troops. He began brilliantly but was thankfully defeated. As a prisoner, he was escorted from Albany to Boston over Burgoyne Pass in Stockbridge. The trail is identified by a plaque laid by the Daughters of the American Republic (DAR) in 1939. Across the road, there is a small space owned by the Town where a few cars could park. Finally, the trails on this property connect to land preserved by the Commonwealth and by the Town.

Jim based his price and his plan on our efforts to purchase 35 acres on Interlaken Crossroad. The volunteer group failed to secure that land, nevertheless, it was a model for what a private group could do.

Editor’s note: The effort to purchase the 35-acre parcel on Interlaken Cross Road failed, but in failing, we learned a lot. We have formed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, Berkshire Preservation Inc (BPI) so all contributions will be tax deductible. We will continue to raise money to help our Town and nonprofits buy land and preserve our unique nature and culture. Join us and help BPI help others.

Perspective

Stockbridge Updates:

Questions Swirl Around Hugh Page

Readers asked: do we have the right to ask what happened with Hugh Page?

The next Select Board meeting (SB) is July 10, 2025, Town Offices, 6:30pm. To attend and ask questions of our representatives is more than a right, it is an obligation. It is our job as citizens to be sure that we understand what is being done in our name. Please attend the next meeting of the SB and feel free to ask the following:

How was Hugh Page placed on administrative leave? Exactly who decided to place him on administrative leave with what authority? At what meeting was the decision made, who was present, and was it in accord with the Open Meeting Law?

The specifics of personnel matters are confidential. Only the employee can release that information. However, the process governing personnel matters, the entity or individual with the power to execute them, that is, and should be, public information.

Who put up that agenda item? Select Board member Jamie Minacci attributed it to Town Counsel. Whoever did it, it was done in our name. No one who does executive session announcements has ever seen one like that. Ordinarily it is sufficient to say, “To enter executive session to discuss a personnel matter.”

It matters how we treat one another. It matters how we speak about one another.

In the Berkshire Eagle, Minacci also “noted that Canales has offered Page several jobs that were suggested by town counsel, but it would have to be his choice. Continuing as superintendent was not an option,” she said.

It appears Michael Canales has taken on the job of hiring and firing. That can be appropriate in the Town Manager form of government, however, Stockbridge has a Town Administrator form of government. The difference is as follows:

“In Massachusetts, the main difference between a Town Administrator and a Town Manager lies in the extent of their authority and responsibilities, which are often defined by the town’s charter or bylaws. While both positions serve as the chief administrative officer, Town Managers typically have more delegated authority, particularly in areas like hiring, firing, and budget management, than Town Administrators.”

Has something changed? Does the public know when it changed and how? Do the voters want to change it back? We can, you know. It is proper for the voters to ask and obligatory for the Town to tell us how we are operating.

A tendency towards kings

There will always be individuals who want more power. In a democracy we depend upon “the people” to reign them in. There is more to no kings than marching. Also, we must show up and speak up. On the local level, we can. Attend the Select Board meeting on June 10. Ask questions, register preferences, and discontent. If SB does not entertain questions, or answer them, SU will report that. Let’s keep our government accountable. In a democracy, governing is everyone’s job. See you there.

Carole Owens
Executive Editor

by Executive Editor

Perspective

Ambulance Service: It Has to Be There…

By Patrick White

Ambulances save lives. They do. They push emergency treatment out into the field. They initiate life-saving care. The ambulance gets there fast, and people live. It’s as simple as that.

I’ve spent the last eight weeks immersed in ambulance delivery models in my new role as Chief Financial Officer of Southern Berkshire Ambulance. I’ve studied the cost structure, revenue streams, service delivery models, and so much more. I’d like to share some observations.

1. There is a huge shortage of paramedics and emergency medical technicians in South County, the folks who staff the ambulances. We need more training opportunities, more workforce housing, better pay scales, a designation as “essential workers”. It’s tough to both attract and retain folks when there are way more jobs than professionals to fill them. These are policy issues that are being addressed by Rep. Leigh Davis, Fairview’s Heather Barbieri and her working group on Emergency Medical Services, and many others. Thanks for your hard work on these matters.

2. There are three services provided by ambulance organizations: primary response to 911 calls, paramedic intercept to support 911 EMTs in life-or-death situations, and non-emergency transport calls to move folks in our community between facilities. 911 and intercept saves lives while transport is non-emergency but generates more revenue per call.

3. There are three revenue streams that fund ambulance service: insurance payments, taxpayers, and donors. Insurance funds roughly half the cost of delivering service. The rest must be made up by donors or taxpayers. Town leaders already recognize the need to fund ambulances, but there are many other priorities to fund as well. Here’s the reality: The more ambulance shifts across the network that are staffed, the more lives you will save, albeit at a higher cost that someone will have to fund.

4. There are also three organization models: municipal, non-profit, and for-profit. As you might imagine, the for-profit services prioritize non-emergency transport over emergency 911 and intercept. These transport runs pay the most. Municipal services, both existing and planned, are entirely focused on 911 calls. My take, having reviewed both the internals for SBA and the budgeted salaries for multiple planned municipal services, is that towns are vastly underbudgeting the cost for their firefighter/EMTs and under planning the staffing needs for more expensive paramedics. Not just by a little but by a lot: upwards of 40% or more. Nonprofit ambulance services like both Northern and Southern Berkshire Ambulance have the economies of scale around staffing, have fundraising strategies to relieve taxpayers of some of the burden, and have in-house expertise around dispatch, insurance billing, and other specialized skills that are essential to running this essential service.

The median age of many of our communities in South Berkshire is about 25 years older than the state’s average age. We have way more elderly folks living here than in other parts of the state. Add to that this reality: we just don’t have the density to support ambulance service as a stand-alone profitable business. It costs well over a million dollars to staff one ambulance 24-7-365. There just aren’t enough calls and corresponding insurance payments to cover the cost. Figuring this out is complex, but it is also vitally important. When you need to dial 911, it has to be there. It just has to be. It’s an honor and a pleasure to be part of a team focused on keeping it that way.

At Southern Berkshire Ambulance, we just ordered a replacement ambulance for one that is 11 years old. A new ambulance costs around $500,000. Municipal payments don’t contribute to capital costs such as a new ambulance. Please, if you have the means, consider donating.

Editor’s note: Is there any good information here as we plan our new fire department services?

by Patrick White

Perspective

Will Artificial Intelligence Make Stockbridge Artificial?

By Larry Ackerman

I had a dream the other night. I wondered what Stockbridge might be like as Artificial Intelligence spreads across the land over the next few years. After I awoke, I did the only sensible thing: I asked Chat GPT what to expect! Here are a few snippets for our collective consideration:

Cultural and Tourism Economy: Enhanced, Not Replaced

• Marketing & Tourism: Local businesses and attractions could use AI-driven tools to personalize visitor experiences — think chatbots for museum tours, smart itineraries, or AI-assisted heritage storytelling apps.
• Augmented Reality Experiences: AI could power AR experiences at the Norman Rockwell Museum or historic Main Street, bringing history to life for visitors.

Impact: Stockbridge’s economy, reliant on tourism, might benefit from AI by offering more engaging, tailored experiences without losing its nostalgic appeal.

Real Estate & Remote Work Migration

• AI-facilitated Remote Work: As AI tools make remote work more efficient, more people might choose to live in places like Stockbridge for the quality of life.
• Property Values: Influx of remote workers and retirees using AI health monitoring or concierge services could drive up housing demand and prices.

Impact: Economic growth, but potential housing affordability challenges for locals

Education and Workforce Upskilling

• Small Town Education Challenges: Local schools might struggle to access cutting-edge AI tech or training, potentially widening the digital divide unless addressed through grants or public investment.
• Adult Learning: AI-powered online learning platforms could help residents reskill or upskill without needing to leave town.

Impact: With support, locals could tap into new remote or hybrid job market

Healthcare Access Improves

• AI in Rural Healthcare: AI-assisted diagnostics, remote consultations, and health monitoring devices could greatly benefit an aging population in Stockbridge, where hospital access is limited.

Impact: Better preventative care, longer independent living for elderly residents.

Cultural Identity & Resistance

• Preservation vs. Progress: Stockbridge is proud of its historical identity — there may be cultural pushback against “AI everywhere,” especially from those seeking a slower, simpler life.

Impact: Likely a balance — selective use of AI to enhance, not dominate, daily life.

Summary

In the AI era, Stockbridge could become a model for how small towns adapt selectively — embracing AI in ways that enhance well-being, creativity, and tourism, while guarding its cultural soul. The challenge will be ensuring equitable access and resisting over-commercialization.

Food for thought and there is more but I had to stop. I was getting a headache.

by Larry Ackerman

Breaking News

Denny Alsop Withdraws

On the morning of June 30, 2025, Denny Alsop submitted his withdrawal papers to Town Clerk Terri Iemolini. Prior to June 30, it was a three-way race for the Town Select Board. Now there are two candidates, Sally Underwood-Miller and Jorja Marsden. Stockbridge Updates wishes both women good luck, and points out, for the first time in history, the make-up of the Stockbridge Select Board will be two women and one man. Unless of course another candidate enters the race before July 11, 2025.

Watch Now!

SU TV

The Interview: Teresa O’Brient

Owner of Williams and Sons Country Store and Chair of the Berkshire Waldorf High School Board of Trustees

Analysis

Notes from the Select Board, June 26, 2025, Hybrid meeting

1. Jamie Minacci called the meeting to order

2. Minacci introduced a deputation from the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans President Shannon Holsey and Tribal Historic Preservation Manager, Bonnie Hartley.

Construction at the Congregation of Marians on Prospect Hill Road required digging at a site just feet from where the Mission House was first built in 1739. It is a location of great importance to the tribe and to the Town of Stockbridge.

Just a few feet down, musket balls and coins were found by private individuals with metal detectors. With luck these will be retrieved, properly identified, dated, and preserved. As Shannon Holsey said, “…find a way to work collectively.”

Patrick White, former Chair of the Mohican/Town Committee, pointed out that connecting and strengthening Articles 12 and 23 would grant Stockbridge the power to protect historic artifacts above and below ground.

#12 “The removal of earth materials such as loam, sod, sand, gravel, clay or stone, from land not in public use, anywhere in town is hereby prohibited unless done in strict compliance with a permit granted hereunder by the Board of Selectmen”

#23 “This Article is adopted for the purpose of protecting and preserving significant historic buildings within the Town and encouraging owners of such buildings to seek out alternative options to preserve, rehabilitate or restore such buildings rather than to demolish them…”

Using these current bylaws or other means, the question before the SB was how the two groups work together to preserve and protect our mutual history?

The Congregation of Marians does benefit from The Dover Amendment (1950) which exempts some agricultural, religious, and educational institutions from certain zoning restrictions. (For example, claiming to be an educational institution, Kripalu avoided Stockbridge’s height restriction on new buildings.)

3. A representative from Austen Riggs reminded SB that the land on Pine Street with the tennis and basketball courts is not owned by the Town. Austen Riggs owns and then leased the land to the Town for 99 years. Fifty-five of the ninety years have been exhausted. The condition on the lease is that the Town maintains the courts. The Town has not done that for some time. Austen Riggs could simply take the land back for noncompliance. However, they were at the SB meeting to ask that the Town honor its end of the lease agreement.

Canales said it was too expensive — perhaps as much as $500,000 — to do the maintenance properly as the base is compromised. He also argued it was odd to have two sets of courts so close together — the other is at Town offices.

Canales said there were alternatives such as demolishing the courts, creating a park with cement tables with chess and checker boards. That would be subject to Austen Riggs approval as the lease specifically says tennis and basketball courts.

Immediately Cardillo said he was prepared to render a decision as the cost was unreasonable — do the repair and perhaps return the property to Austen Riggs.

Dennis Alsop objected and asked: will there be discussion? Lis Wheeler asked if SB would consult Parks and Rec? The Chair allowed discussion and Alsop spoke for keeping and maintaining the courts. Rich Bradway said something with respect to the Finance Committee (inaudible).

Canales restated the choices: demolish the courts and return the land to Austen Riggs; demolish the courts and install a “passive” park with Austen Riggs approval; repair the courts, or offer another solution. Canales asked Stockbridge Updates to invite and post ideas for the use of the parcel on Pine Street.

The matter was postponed until a future meeting with a caution that Austen Riggs requires an answer.

4. The new members for the Town Boards, Commissions, and committees were announced. There was some mix up with respect to the Cemetery Commission, so all new members were voted on except for Cemetery Commission. There are still two open seats, one on the Green Committee and one on the PILOT Committee. Please contact the SB or Town Offices if you would like to apply.

Meeting adjourned.

Editor’s Note: if you have an opinion about the use of the land on Pine Street or a suggestion with respect to its future use, please submit it to Stockbridge Updates and we will post in the next issue. Thank you.

The Last Word

Reader to Reader

Dear Carole,

Not included due to word count limitation:

Local Economy & Small Business Support

• AI Tools for Artisans and Shops: Artists, galleries, and shops could use AI to manage inventory, market online, or reach new buyers through image recognition or personalized suggestions.
• Job Displacement: Some clerical or administrative jobs may be impacted, but entrepreneurship opportunities might grow.

Impact: Shift in types of jobs available — low-skill, routine work may decline, but creative and service work could thrive with AI support.

Larry Ackerman

Dear Larry,

I hope your optimistic take is the right one. Others signal alarm about AI. For example,

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D — CT) raised concerns about the potential dangers of AI, particularly its use in spreading disinformation. He advocated for federal legislation. Senator Murphy concurred and warned against the dangers of unregulated AI, highlighting its potential impact on job displacement and destabilization of democratic processes.

Carole