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To Stockbridge Updates

The second homeowners are not being victimized or demonized. The primary homeowners are struggling to find a way to express the new problems caused by a new, bigger influx of second homeowners and their demand for a voice.

There are nine states that do not have income tax, and one state that does not have income tax or real estate tax. There is a definite financial advantage to selecting one of those nine states as a primary residence. Selection of a primary residence is a free choice made by the individual.

Massachusetts has both real estate tax and income tax plus personal property tax and automobile tax. Some call it "taxachusetts".

Some choose Massachusetts; most don't. Once you make that choice, if you do not choose Massachusetts, you vote somewhere else, not Massachusetts; you run for office somewhere else, not Massachusetts. That is the law.

It is wrong to make that choice and then want to have their cake and eat it too by seeking ways to not vote but influence the vote. Not vote but seek to put up a pro-second homeowner candidate. Not vote but attempt to take over and influence the debate.

Actually, second homeowners are denying locals their rights — the right to have their vote, elect their officials, and make their laws just as second homeowners do in the state they selected as their primary residences.

Michael Roisman

Photo: Lionel Delevingne

To Stockbridge Updates for the Stockbridge Select Board

Hi Jamie, Chuck, and Patrick,

First Thanks for all the time you put into the town...Really appreciate it.

Can you tell me why the town isn't talking to LEE about the rest of the river problem. Seems to me we are downhill of the problem, and it is all hands-on-deck. Why are we not talking to our neighbors?

It's embarrassing for the town, and I am wondering what the problem is and what the facts are. Hope all is well,

Tom Farley

Old Town Hall. Photo: Patrick White