Key Take Aways from the Select Board meeting, June 8, 2023

Chair Chuck Cardillo called the meeting to order. The appointment of Karen Levy to Conservation Commission was postponed to give other interested parties an opportunity to express interest in serving (also there may be 2 seats available).

Five one-day liquor licenses for Chesterwood and one for Berkshire Botanical Garden were approved.

A request for $5000 for planters on balconies and a large TV at Heaton Court. $1000 was donated by the Allen and Valerie Hyman Foundation. Motion — to use $4000 of the American Rescue Program Act (ARPA)money for planters so residents can garden standing up. Passed

Canales alerted the SB that of the $564,934 in ARPA funds, the Town has $260,210 unspent that must be spent by December 31, 2023.

Canales: Speed bumps on Train Hill may not be legally installed and if they cause an accident, especially to bikers or motorcycle drivers, could be liability for the Town. He suggested a redesign of the entrance to Train Hill from 183 and a sign or signs indicating a winding road and suggested speed. The money could come from funds remaining in the Winter Road Assistance allocation — $20,000. Passed

Canales praised the algae protocol — err on the side of caution — and recommended we help fund equipment for Tri-Town Health to do our own preliminary testing followed by state testing to determine toxicity when algae blooms appear.

Second Homeowners' meeting — planning postponed to decide between a Thursday evening hybrid meeting as part of regular SB meeting or a Saturday in-person meeting.

Jan Ackerman, Vice Chair of Affordable Housing Trust, introduced the Housing Production Plan — with public meetings and planning meetings resulting in an action plan.

Patrick White followed by suggesting production of Open Space and Master Plans. Canales suggested completing the work of the Open Space Plan begun by Berkshire Regional Planning.

Editor's note: There was a brief contretemps between Patrick White and Patty Caya. In the Mahkeenac Heights Association email group, one member asked Patty Caya, "What is the name of the Selectman who is so anti-second homeowner?" Caya answered, "Patrick White." White took exception to that characterization. "I don't hate anyone." Caya said he was "conflating".

Maybe you think this exchange should not have happened or maybe you think it should not have been necessary. For SU, it was another second homeowner who asked the salient question — why is the email group closed?

Wheatleigh stone wall.