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HomeArchiveVol. II No. 09 5/1/2021Notes from the Select Board Meeting April 22 via Zoom
Vol. II No. 09 5/1/2021

Notes from the Select Board Meeting April 22 via Zoom

Present:

  • Chuck Cardillo, Chair
  • Patrick White
  • Roxanne McCaffrey
  • Michael Canales, Town Administrator

Others present will be named as they speak since Zoom image only shows 3 Select Board members

Public hearings for Special Permits

  1. Special permit for 3 Housatonnuck Rd: Attorney Lori Robbins presented for Donna Wolfe and Jeffery Heisler. It is a nonconforming lot. The request for a 5x6' addition is "not a greater nonconformity" — "is in harmony with general intent of bylaw — not detrimental to character of the neighborhood, and [thereby] meets the criteria for a Special Permit." Public meeting closed — Permit approved.
  2. Special permit for 19 Lakeview Drive: Attorney Lori Robbins for Ann Marie and David L. Minz for building on nonconforming lot in the Lake and Pond District. Plan approved by Conservation Commission. The new house designed by David Potter would be no bigger than present house and would "actually be less nonconforming". Public meeting closed and Permit approved.
  3. 15 Mahkeenac Heights Rd: Attorney Alexandra Glover for Joe Sharp. Request for new build — "lot coverage slightly decreases, setbacks no more nonconforming, and house in character with neighborhood". Hearing closed and Permit approved.
  4. Canales reports:
    1. Search committee to find candidates for Town Accountant position approved. They are Michael Canales, Jay Bikofsky, Bronley Boyd, Christine Rasmussen, and Jorgia Marsden.
    2. Larrywaug Bridge lowest bid, submitted by Maximillian, was $1,350,537.04. Maximillian is approved and meets state requirements. However, the town is required to have the funds set aside before it can sign off. Stockbridge is $175,000 short of lowest bid. Necessary to approve low bid and to approve transferring funds necessary from free cash to meet the deadline of bridge opening by fall.
    3. $7000 for "Rest of River" legal costs
  5. Report from Gregg Wellencamp and Michael Nathan re: Stockbridge Bowl
    1. Wellencamp described the dredging process and the two choices for removing the silt. There are three permitted areas: town beach, the causeway, and from the island to the diversion pipe.
    2. The amount of silt anticipated is equivalent to 13 acres of silt.
    3. Tubes 8-10' wide would bring the silt up onto barges.
    4. To "dewater" the silt it would be deposited on private property around the lake and then trucked to Bullard Woods.
    5. Alternatively, the silt could be pumped from barge to barge and into Bullard Woods.
    6. The decision would be based on cost.
    7. Michael Nathan reinforced need to dredge citing a 2008 news article warning the lake could "disappear" and become a wetland. Then, due to state law that forbids touching wetlands, the lake could never be reclaimed. He also wanted to point out the ten-year effort of SBA (Stockbridge Bowl Assoc) to raise money for this venture.
    8. Anita Schwerner asked why stop the dredging at diversion pipe? Wellencamp said there was no need as no silt beyond that area and too many gas and sewer lines. Hugh Page stressed the number of truck loads created (3000-3500) and pointed out the wear and tear on the roads. He said cost of road repair should be factored in. Art Krieger was also concerned about that many trucks and noise pollution.
  6. Approval of members to the Agricultural and Forestry Commission — three members and one alternate
    1. Shelby Marshall, past president of Laurel Hill association asked to be the alternate.
    2. Chuck Cardillo volunteered to be the SB liaison.
    3. The SB voted to appoint three members: Erik Rasmussen, Lisa Bozzuto, and Mathieu Boudreau.
  7. Town Meeting Warrant
    1. Police Chief Darryl Fennelly further described the "Bear Bylaw", it is purpose is "to keep bears and people apart." He corrected a misconception about bird feeders. White apologized as he put the misinformation on the record. "Don't blame others for quoting me." Fennelly explained bird feeders are not forbidden unless they become an "attractant". If they become an attractant, then they are. He described this situation: if the bear goes into yard, eats seed in feeder and leaves, ok. If the bear exits through a neighbor's yard, perhaps forages for food there, and that neighbor complains, then the bird feeder has become an attractant and has to be taken down. Fennelly did not think it would rise to level of fining the bird feeder owner as "99% of time a conversation" generally works. Bear bylaw added to warrant.
  8. Lisa Thorne presented information about the reopening of the Talbot Center.
    1. Hope to reopen the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.
    2. Open Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays
    3. Ned Baldwin and Hugh Page will have work done and inspected in time (related to handicap entrance and repairing step). Painting exterior may be done after opening.
    4. Lisa Thorne encouraged anyone who wishes to volunteer to get in touch with her (SU does not print personal emails or phone numbers).
  9. "Dog bylaw"
    1. Dogs required to be on leash or "under control", in kennel or behind electric fence.
    2. Cardillo asked if could be on leash on public streets and "under control" in Gould Meadows (for example)
    3. Posted to town web site for comment.
  10. Bylaw establishing Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission (rather than committee) posted to town web site
  11. Right to Farm Bylaw posted to town web site
  12. "Beachwood article" Beachwood requested that it become a "Maintenance District" so that fees to repair roads and beach would be part of tax bill (enforceable). Art Kreiger wanted SB endorsement. Cardillo explained by SB placing it on warrant, endorsement implicit.
  13. Pump Station on warrant
  14. $40,000 for PB consultants not on warrant pending joint meeting. White asked what was rationale for changing Cottage Era bylaw and could that be part of discussion at joint meeting?
  15. Intersection reconfiguration postponed.
  16. Establishing a gift account for Ice Glen so contributions for saving Ice Glen old growth forest would be tax deductible.
  17. Opt out of Mosquito control on warrant
  18. A railing at Butler Bridge fell into the water. The problem was reported to White who spoke to Highway Dept. It was immediately repaired (see photos) and White wanted to thank the Highway Dept.
  19. Take action on one-day all-alcohol license for Berkshire Botanical Gardens: May 1, 5 – 7 pm, May 28, 5 – 11 pm, May 29, 4 – 11 pm, June 11, 5 – 7 pm and June 12, 4 – 11 pm — All dates approved.
  20. White pointed out that limit in harvesting weed in Stockbridge Bowl is a function of the Milfoil treatment and asked — if not enough Milfoil to treat this year, the (a) can we use harvester in a wider area? (b) If no Milfoil two years in a row, do we extend testing another year or does that end agreement?
  21. Meeting adjourned


Jamie Minacci, chair of the Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Committee, met with Dan Miraglia, a member of the Board of Directors of the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, to discuss the League's suggestions for the Bowl and ways to make the Boat Ramp easier to use for motorized boats and kayakers.