West Stockbridge Board Clears Festival Fireworks, Advances 15-Project Streets Plan

WEST STOCKBRIDGE -- April 24, 2023, West Stockbridge Select Board approves August 12 festival fireworks license and advances 15-project Complete Streets plan. The board voted unanimously Monday to grant a one-day entertainment and fireworks license to the community council for its annual summer festival, which runs 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on August 12, with fireworks capping the night. Marjorie Powell, representing the organizing committee, told the board the state fire marshal has approved a compliant on-site launch location using lower-impact number-three shells to reduce noise, and that Police Chief Correale has estimated a nine-officer, 12-hour detail, including fireworks coverage, at $5,600. The board also heard that all 15 of the town's Complete Streets projects have received MassDOT tier-two acceptance, with a public survey now open on the town website and a tier-three filing target of fall 2023. Chair Andrew Krouss reported that USDA Rural Development is offering a rolling, no-deadline water infrastructure program combining grants and 30-year low-interest notes, and that Stockbridge and Lee have invited West Stockbridge into early discussions on a shared emergency-services district.