Town Square

Welcome to Stockbridge Updates Town Square — The gatherings in the Town Square of old were vibrant and informal. The discussions were the stuff of our nation's history. We can replicate it here in our local — very local — newspaper Stockbridge Updates. There are issues before us that would benefit from community discourse. Weigh in.

Discussion topic for the next Town Square: What if you could only save one thing in Stockbridge? What one thing says Stockbridge more than any other? What would it be? Rockwell's Main Street? The Old Growth Forest? The Lake? Tanglewood? Weigh in. (400 words or less, deadline July 26 — thank you).

Discussion in this Issue: In this round of Covid Relief allocation (the American Rescue Plan Act), Stockbridge will receive approximately $500,000. How would you like to see that spent?

From Andrea Sholler:

I'd like to suggest a couple of uses for a small portion of the $500,000 coming to Stockbridge.

1. Install EV charging stations at the beach and boat launch and charge for usage so that the town is both providing a service and earning income.

2. Add canoe/paddle berths at the boat launch in addition to the ones at the beach.

From Diane Reuss:

I think that a few dollars could be spent sprucing up our Main Street with flowers in pots placed next to each bench and pots also round the Dog and Cat Fountain — while I realize that it is being repaired this could at least be fluffed up a bit. We are all most certainly proud of our quaint village — and summer has arrived — I think that pride of township should and needs to look welcoming.

Norman Rockwell Museum, Land of Enchantment Exhibit. Photo: Patrick White

From Paul and Lenore Sundberg:

There is considerable dismay among residents of Interlaken now that the Town has closed the Curtisville Old Stone Bridge on Interlaken Cross Road to pedestrians. The Town has simultaneously put a roadblock on a favorite walking path, and created an aesthetic nightmare at this location; formerly this historic place was one of the most picturesque spots in town.

While we understand the need for the new steel utility bridge to maintain services should the stone bridge collapse, the new bridge is probably the ugliest thing in town. It seems that the Town has also violated a bylaw which prohibits chain-link fencing, which is the second ugliest thing in town.

We have a proposal to resolve these issues. With some part of the $500,000 available, the Town could construct a wooden footbridge with handrails on top of the steel utility bridge. This would provide a safe walking path, and at the same time it would obscure the ugly steel structure. Secondly, attractive wooden fencing should be used to replace the chain-link fences; the area would still be secure, and legal, but much more attractive. We are pleased to see that the Town plans to replace the cement cubes with simulated cast stone barriers. Maybe to complement these improvements, the Laurel Hill Association could be asked to provide some nice plantings.

From Bruce Blair:

I traveled over the holiday recently and at a party, the topic of the latest federal assistance to towns came up. I asked people what they would do for a town like Stockbridge with the $500,000 we expected to receive. As is often the case, several people had been to Stockbridge and voiced their love for the town.

"You don't need any money there, just give it back", one said

"Your problem is keeping out what you don't need", said another. "Keep it Stockbridge."

"Have a big party and celebrate being Stockbridge!", someone said.

There were some points here that stuck with me — like keeping out what you don't need. Some people still want large scale real estate and business development in town, which would surely impact the tourist industry. Keep it Stockbridge. People love this place as it is, look around.

Infrastructure? The bridge repairs are now running smoothly and nearly done. The fountains and the chime tower will be repaired as well. There is still Proctor Hall and the Red Lion intersection. $500,000 here covers….what?

The Bowl? There are a lot of weeds in the bowl. It's also home to giant houses, lawyers, realtors, scientists, strong opinions, 500,000 kayaks, etc. Rough waters. I am adrift. Out of my depth. Maybe $500,000 only gets you a 3 hour cruise there these days.

Affordable housing? It's safe to say that, for nearly every person on earth, nothing here is affordable. Balance escapes us lately. How many teachers live here? Social workers? RNs? Grocery store managers? What could $500,000 do for us on this?

What should Stockbridge do with $500,000? Maybe we should ask ourselves! Let's ask everybody who pays taxes, runs a business, works from home, is retired, has kids (yes, there are more than you think), old, young, wealthy, unwealthy (yes, there are more than you think). If you've lived here for more than 50 years or less than 5 minutes, let's hear from you.

Many people are still recovering from the town meeting, so let's all put our (consultant-free) thoughts in writing. Write as much or as little as you like. Send your thoughts to Stockbridge Updates. And let's take a little time. Mr. Canales will keep an eye on the $500,000 check.

And maybe we can still have a party and count our blessings as well.

Norman Rockwell Museum, Land of Enchantment Exhibit. Photo: Patrick White