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HomeArchiveVol. IV No. 3 2/1/2023Notes from the Community Preservation Committee, January 19, Hybrid meeting
Vol. IV No. 3 2/1/2023

Notes from the Community Preservation Committee, January 19, Hybrid meeting

Present:

  • Sally Underwood-Miller, Chair
  • Jay Bikofsky
  • Tom Stokes
  • Gary Pitney
  • Via Zoom: Carole Owens, Linda Jackson, Patrick White, Ann Rabinowitz
  • Applicants named if they speak.
  1. Ron Brouker, Chair Conservation Commission (ConCom), will present a request for $5200 for improvement to 27 acres donated to the Town as a bird sanctuary. The land is on the left as you enter the dump. Plan is to remove cement slab, add top soil, and plant flowering trees.
  2. Kevin "Moose" Foran will apply for a $16,500 grant for the 55-acre Bullard Woods. The projects will be to remove invasives and to place plaques identifying the trees in the old growth section. The plaques will identify the medicinal uses of the trees and their value to the ecosystem.
  3. India Spartz, Stockbridge Library and Archives, will apply for $5-7000 to restore and digitize daguerreotypes (photographs widely used in the 1840s and 1850s), other materials, create master reels of microfilm, and two Stockbridge newspapers — Berkshire News (1890) and another in 1895.
  4. Margaret Cherin, Director Chesterwood, thanked CPC for all it has done for the site. She will request $20,000 of $130,000 needed to restore the original architectural formal garden enclosure designed by French.
  5. Architect Robert Harrison described the need to restore the Playhouse at the Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG). It has been closed and cannot reopen until restored. In 2028, BTG will celebrate its 100th anniversary and would like it to open then. It will request $100,000 of "the millions" necessary to do the work.
  6. Pat Flinn, on behalf of Laurel Hill Association, described the current condition of the Mary Flynn Trail and the need for capital improvements. LHA will request $20,000.
  7. Teresa O'Brient, Chairman of the Board, Berkshire Waldorf High School, explained the negotiations for purchase of Town Hall and then fund-raising campaign. The School has raised $3 million of the estimated $5 million necessary for restoration of the historic structure. When completed it will also have space for the community to use as the school is only in session 4 days per week. Waldorf will request the CPC restore the $250,000 originally granted for the restoration work.
  8. Ranne Warner, Chair, Affordable Housing Trust and member Lis Wheeler, Andrea Lindsey, Director Heaton Court, and Jane Ralph, Director Construct, Inc. (Pine Woods) presented jointly. The request was for capital improvements of Pine Woods including HVAC, siding, and more. The estimate was over a million dollars for all work. However, they did not submit formal estimates for work or a current condition report. There was discussion of various ways to fund it and a request for more information.

Meeting adjourned.

 

photo
BBG Barn Raising. Photo courtesy Felix Carroll, Berkshire Botanical Garden