Notes from Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission (SBSC) August 6 Hybrid Meeting

Present:

• Jamie Minacchi, Chair
• Michael Nathan
• Charlie Kenny
• Gary Kleinerman
• Roxanne McCaffrey
• Mike Buffoni

1. Since Town Meeting approved the change from Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Committee to Commission, SBSC now may have a secretary. Tammy Touponce was elected.
2. SBSC elected the Chair and Vice Chair (John Loiodice) for another term.
3. Kleinerman discussed his meeting with Dave Cameron from Public Access, Tree Warden Mark Faber also present. They discussed the endangered trees on shoreline, erosion, and necessity for water diversion in parking area.
   1. It seemed a study was necessary and Public Access would be billed or request the Commonwealth do the engineering necessary. Kleinerman appeared to prefer Stockbridge do it and bill Public Access as way for it to get done faster.
   2. Faber suggested the eroded areas could be filled with gravel and stone, and he could do some cutting on endangered trees.
4. McCaffrey announced that everything was ready to go and Hugh Page would commence harvesting this week (August 9 – 13). Michael Nathan volunteered to operate the harvester.
   1. Pat Kennelly, Stockbridge Bowl Association (SBA) via Zoom, requested the harvester avoid a new test area(s) that SBA is proposing.
   2. Kennelly explained SBA is in the process of getting new test area(s) approved and the harvester should not go in proposed areas as well as not going in DEP approved areas. (See Report from Dr. Coote in SU above. Apparently, although Coote found some Milfoil, it was not in the approved test areas or not enough (50%) was in the approved test areas).
   3. McCaffery said Stockbridge must abide by DEP approved map when harvesting.
   4. Kenny said the proposed revision of test areas is "hearsay" until approved by DEP.
   5. Kennelly said SBA will be meeting with Conservation Commission and Select Board, per DEP instructions, to discuss the change in test areas. She again requested the harvester avoid proposed areas.
   6. McCaffrey said the request should be brought to Town Counsel.
5. Kenny reported that at the next Board of Health meeting, he will propose all Town meetings be hybrid as a "safer and more proper" approach, and sensible in light of the new Covid variants. He then moved that SBSC vote to continue hybrid meetings. Motion passed.
6. Buffoni reported the most rain in his experience. The highest he remembered was 7 inches and this year Stockbridge recorded over 11 inches. Buffoni did water sampling on July 22 and things seemed good.

Meeting adjourned

Photo: Jay Rhind