Stockbridge Select Board Signs Dam Inspection Contract, Boosts Chime Tower Budget

STOCKBRIDGE — March 19, 2026 — Stockbridge Select Board authorizes dam inspection contract and approves $70,000 Chime Tower budget increase. The board unanimously voted Thursday to allow Town Administrator Michael to sign a $86,600 Phase II inspection contract with Tighe and Bond for Stockbridge Bowl Dam, using existing dam account funds, with a second $104,200 contract phase to go before Town Meeting; the dam's capital budget line was simultaneously reduced from $150,000 to $105,000 to reflect actual contract figures. The board also voted to add $70,000 from free cash to the capital budget for the Chime Tower, after an exploratory inspection found 22 base stones requiring removal and replacement, pushing the total project cost to $194,000 against $144,000 in remaining prior appropriations. Earlier in the meeting, Beta Group Senior Vice President Anthony Garrow presented a Pavement Management Program assessment showing the town's 36.1 miles of paved roads scoring 77.8 out of 100, with an improvement backlog of approximately $4 million and an annual maintenance cost of roughly $340,000 to hold the current score. The board also appointed Cheryl Reseteris to the Cemetery Commission over applicant Karen Spies — a decision challenged from the floor by the commission's own chair, who said Reseteris had not contacted any commission member before the appointment.