STOCKBRIDGE — Despite a session that exceeded five hours, it was still largely business as usual at Stockbridge’s annual town meeting on Saturday, with the town and school budgets passing and all but one warrant article being approved.
The proceedings were moved inside the gymnasium of the town offices, as rain ruined plans to hold the event outdoors. Roughly 172 voters filed in at the start, with those numbers being reduced to around 73 toward the end.
Elected Town Moderator Gary Johnston was unable to attend due to health issues so voters opted to appoint former selectboard member Stephen Shatz as acting moderator. This was also the first time that electronic voting devices were used to tabulate residents’ votes, allowing for a greater degree of transparency, anonymity, and accuracy. These devices were handed out to all eligible voters upon signing in.
The most contentious warrant article was 23, which would have authorized $40,000 for consulting services. There were two camps on the issue: one group of citizens were concerned about the necessity of the funds and a perceived lack of transparency from the planning board. Another group argued that the funds are needed to deal with the complexity of zoning regulations.
“I think the planning board is going in the wrong direction,” said Dr. Charles Kenny, chairman of the Board of Health, as he urged the town to vote down the proposal. “The planning board is ignoring the input from many people in town who have many points of view I think are worthy of hearing,” he said. “Half of these people come for a few days at most. We need to have more respect for the views of the people who already live in town.”
The measure does not mandate the usage of the funds for the hiring of consultants, but merely gives the planning board the ability to spend the money if needed.
“The last time I checked, we live in a democracy,” remarked Roxanne McCaffrey, chairwoman of the Selectboard. “We have planning board members who approved of this, who requested this. We have two out of three selectmen who approved of this. We had a unanimous vote on our finance committee approving this.”
Previously, the planning board had voted 5–2 to request the funding, with the selectboard voting 2–1 in favor of the expense and the finance committee approving the appropriation unanimously.
“I urge you to give your planning board what they need to do their job properly and produce the kind of legislation that we’d be proud of and will be on the books for years to come,” said Mark Mills, a Stockbridge resident and former candidate for the planning board. “They [the planning board] need your help; back this measure.”
After a motion was approved to call the question, a move that closes debate and moves the body toward a full vote, the funding was approved narrowly by 60–54 votes, but the debate did not stop once the voting did.
Beth Carlson made a point of order to the moderator, requesting he speak louder as some had not heard the call to vote on the warrant article. This provided an opening to those who were dissatisfied with the final vote. Charles Kenny promptly made a motion to reconsider the previous motion, leading to confusion and uproar amongst the crowd.
“It sounded like you mumbled them [the motion],” said a Stockbridge resident who ran up to the microphone. “You have to state them [the motions] clearly if you’re going to be a decent moderator!” the resident exclaimed. That led quickly to boos and yells from the audience.
The motion to reconsider was put to the floor and ultimately voted down 70–33. After that it was relatively smooth, with some minor disputes breaking out.
Article 27, which appropriates $70,000 for the monitoring and treatment of trees within the Ice Glen generated some controversy. The money would have been spent treating trees infected with invasive insects using a pesticide called dinotefuran.
“In the absence of treating these trees, most of them will die within the next two to three years. These trees that have been here for the entire history of the town,” said Patrick White, a member of the selectboard. “This is money that would actually save the town money instead of paying to clean up dead trees.”
Some residents were concerned about the health and efficacy of using pesticides. “I strongly oppose the use of pesticides anywhere on the Ice Glen or anywhere in Stockbridge,” said Louise Cache. “The woolly adelgid and black scale beetle are here to stay.”
The measure still passed overwhelmingly, 91–6.
Voters in Stockbridge cruised through the budget items; articles 4, 5, and 6 passing with over 150 yes votes and single-digit no votes. Passing handily were the town operating budget of approximately $7.5 million and Stockbridge’s assessment of nearly $3.2 million as a member town of the Berkshire Hills Regional School District.
Article 54, a bylaw amendment that would have eliminated the requirement for off-street parking spaces to be provided within the business zoning district, failed, requiring a 2/3 majority. The “nays” prevailed in the final vote of 56–53.
Residents also voted to approve Article 42, which would request the Massachusetts legislature to create legislation dictating the return of historical documents held in the town’s possession to the Mohican Nation.
“I wanted to thank the town for the opportunity to have a vote on this article,” said Bonney Hartley, a former Stockbridge resident and member of the Mohican Nation whose ancestors are buried in town. “When we were forced to eventually remove from the town, many of these important documents and other cultural items were unfortunately left behind … it’s really meaningful.” The article passed 79–4, followed by applause from the audience.
Voters also approved a withdrawal from the Berkshire County Mosquito Control Board, a revised set of bylaws dictating the usage of short-term rentals, the establishment of a Stockbridge affordable housing trust, and the appropriation of funds to acquire a new highway vehicle and restore the Chime Tower. Funds were also approved to replace the Park Street Pump Station.
Voters also approved article 41, requesting special legislation from the Massachusetts legislature that would designate the Beachwood–Lenstock part of town a maintenance district and would ensure a steady stream of income for the maintenance of roads, beach, and common property by placing a tax on homeowners who reside in the area. Currently, maintenance is funded by voluntary payments, meaning some do not pay.
The establishment of the district through legislation was supported by the Beachwood–Lenstock association and selectboard and approved by town voters 88–5.
