Notes from the Select Board (SB), February 10, Hybrid Meeting

Present:

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

Approximately a dozen attended via Zoom — named if they spoke

1. Discussion about continuing hybrid meetings tabled by Chair until after the Commonwealth makes a recommendation in April.
   1. White asked why? It will only be a recommendation left for localities to make final decision. White continued given age of population and percentage of second homeowners, Zoom would enhance attendance.
   2. McCaffrey said it was waste of time before Governor decided and also Chairs should each make ultimate decision about how to run meetings. No further discussion
2. Canales said Stockbridge received $564,934 from The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
   $38,000 was already given to Tri-Town Health and there is $531,134 left. How did SB wish to spend it?
   1. If Town declares the whole amount "lost revenue" then it will have until 2026 to spend it
   2. If spent on infrastructure there is a multiplier effect, that is, could use to match grants to qualify for more money
   3. White mentioned other ways to spend the funds. Individual Stockbridge businesses were hurt during COVID19, and one possibility is to grant a portion of the funds to Stockbridge businesses. White also mentioned Pine Woods' need for boilers. Canales said no, would have to set aside for specific purposes and then businesses or Construct (Pine Woods) could apply
3. There is an opening on Pay In Lieu of Taxes Committee (PILOT) if anyone is interested
4. There was something called a "Project Priority Update" It was like a long ToDo list. White said it was aspirational and might be the basis of a Master Plan. McCaffrey disagreed.
5. Paul Sundberg lives in the neighborhood of Curtisville Bridge which was deemed unsafe and closed years ago. He asked if a temporary pedestrian-only bridge could be built until the other bridge — an historic 1842 bridge — could be addressed. White seemed to support at least an exploration of the idea, but it erupted in dispute between McCaffrey, Canales, and Sundberg about cost estimates, and whether to consider a temporary bridge even though a permanent solution may take many more years.
6. McCaffrey asked how soon would Talbot Center be demolished? Canales said soon
7. Canales is working on plans for new Salt Shed as old one has to be demolished
8. Again, White mentioned the aspirational list presented might be part of a Master Plan but McCaffrey said it was not intended simply as a way of prioritizing work to be done. White explained if part of a Master Plan there would be input from residents; this way there has been none.

Meeting adjourned

Photo: Blue Moon Images