To the editor:
I would like to thank everyone who attended the recent Stockbridge Select Board meeting to discuss the Chapter 61 land on Interlaken Cross Road. With a citizen’s petition on the upcoming Town Meeting warrant and so many ardent supporters rallying to try to raise private funding to acquire the property, last week’s meeting was an important opportunity for Select Board members and the project’s supporters to come together prior to what will likely be a spirited discussion at Town Meeting.
Since the vote on this warrant article is not binding, the ultimate decision on this project will be in the hands of the Select Board. Therefore, it was important that the Select Board have this opportunity to learn more about the efforts of the project’s supporters, and equally important for these advocates to gain a greater understanding of the complexity and limitations of using town funding—taxpayer dollars—toward a project of this kind.
The discussion at the Select Board meeting was not an ideal dialogue environment, as is sometimes the case when passions run high on a topic people care deeply about. But despite some challenging moments, it was still an opportunity for all participants to gain a greater understanding of the nuances of the situation and hopefully have that context drive more productive discussion at Town Meeting.
My sincere hope is that with this Select Board meeting in the rearview mirror, when we all come back together again at Town Meeting, the debate on this topic will welcome all viewpoints with respect. As the chair of the Select Board, that is always my primary goal: to try to maintain a meeting environment where people can feel comfortable expressing their views, even in difficult situations.
Jamie Minacci
Chair of the Stockbridge Select Board
Stockbridge
Click here to read The Berkshire Edge’s policy for submitting Letters to the Editor.
