Reader to Reader

Hello,

As a part-time Stockbridge resident for the past 10 years, I value your newsletter a lot. You've made it clear that the town is at a crossroads and needs to respond to changing times with a purpose that is well informed by an understanding of the law, as well as a love for the community.

Is there some way a second homeowner who plans to become a full-time resident within 18 months (retirement — yay!) can help? My husband and I spend most weekends in Stockbridge, and we want the town we have come to consider ours to thrive without losing any of the characteristics that have made it so special for so long.

Thanks for any recommendations you can offer.

Elizabeth McCarthy

Good morning,

How nice to hear from you. You would be an asset anywhere. Here's a couple of things to do.

1. You can serve on any committee commission or board in town to which members are elected. Send a note to all 3 Select Board members and Town Administrator Michael Canales expressing your interest and asking that they inform you every time a position is vacant.

2. Do not underestimate the power of showing up. Go to every meeting that interests you. (Many are Hybrid meetings that can be attended via Zoom.)

3. Before the meeting starts, introduce yourself. Wait until they ask for public comments. They should at every meeting. If they don't, raise your hand and ask if they are going to ask as you had a comment or question.

4. Write to Stockbridge Updates about any issue that concerns you or any with which you are pleased.

Carole Owens
Executive Editor

To the Editor:

I loved Andrea Goodman's piece about the Chimes. I remember as a child opening the magic door and being allowed in the inner sanctum. I think Sherman Hall played them back then.

Mr. Hall seemed to show up every place in my life that involved music: Plain School, the Congregational Church, Searles.... I'm surprised he never taught me piano. (The credit — or blame — for that goes to Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Lane.)

Another great issue, Carole!

Wendy Hart Beckman, M.A.

To The Editor:

I know that if it were to be put to a Town Meeting vote, Stockbridge would support our tax paying neighbors in the Furnace District, to join with West Stockbridge and Gt. Barrington in the fight for affordable clean water. I know I would.

I am on the Chair of the Assessors and a member on the Planning Board but am writing as a private taxpayer.

Gary Pitney

Dear Gary,

Thank you for writing to Stockbridge Updates about this important matter. I believe we agree that clean, potable water should be a right, and providing it, the absolute responsibility of local government. I bet we also agree that we should care about the plight of our neighbors whether down the block or over a town line. You seem to imply that not suing is not caring.

Do you know what those suing are asking for? What they will happen if they win? After much time and many dollars only this: the matter is returned to the Department of Public Utilities for reconsideration of their decision.

The DPU decision mandated fixing the problems. Might it not be better, after 40 years of no fix, to accept the DPU decision and get on with it? I go for fixing the water — making it clear and clean for 23 houses in Stockbridge, around 80 in West Stockbridge, and 750+ in Great Barrington.

I wonder if suing isn't emotionally satisfying and strictly speaking counter productive.

Please write anytime on any issue, again thanks.

Carole

Dear Carole,

I've read some criticism in the local press about not having our neighbors' backs with regard to the Housatonic Water Works. There were three designated intervenors: me for Stockbridge and two paid Boston lawyers for the other towns who worked for a year on this rate case. The company asked for a $900k rate increase in Phase I and only got $211k, of which $129k is immediate.

As for the recent appeal: it has very little chance of succeeding, and, along with the Great Barrington Board of Health fines of potentially $1,000 per day per household ($750,000 per day), a very real chance of putting the company out of business. Who provides the water in that scenario? Retribution and pay back sometimes feel good, but rarely make for good policy.

Patrick White

Photo: Jay Rhind