Select Board votes to continue daily 30‑minute chime concerts after heated public comment

The Stockbridge Select Board voted June 4 to keep the town’s children’s chime tower playing daily from 5:30 to 6 p.m. after an extended public‑comment period in which nearby residents, a pastor and the chair of the congregational church trustees described significant disruption to meetings and home life.

The motion approved by voice vote directed that the chimes continue to play seven days a week from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Select Board members debated possible compromises — shortening set length, moving the start time, or limiting the number of days — but the final motion kept the existing schedule. One board member registered a nay during the voice vote.

The debate centered on competing views of the chimes’ public value and local impact. A pastor who lives near the chime tower — identified in remarks by role — urged the board to reconsider daily playing and the 30‑minute length. “Thirty minutes is a long period of time to play, especially when the bells are that close and that loud,” the pastor said, describing windows that must be closed and calls to limit the time so families and church programs are not disrupted.

Don Rogers, chair of the trustees of the Congregational Church, said the bells’ volume has prevented meetings from being conducted inside church rooms. “The bells are so loud. While we were having our meeting ... at 5:30 we had to close all the windows because we couldn't conduct the meeting,” Rogers said, asking the board to consider dampening options and fewer playing days.

Andrea, the chime player who spoke during questions and answers, defended the tradition and said she is asked to play for ceremonies and community events. Andrea said she could consider changing start times (for example, to 4:30 or 5:00 p.m.) or other modest timing adjustments but stressed that community performances and children’s instruction rely on predictable playing time.

Board members and people who sent letters in support framed the chimes as a cherished daily tradition that draws visitors and contributes to town character. The board read a letter from David McCarthy expressing “strong support for preserving this cherished tradition” and noted that some residents hear the chimes at a pleasant distance.

With the vote to maintain daily 5:30–6:00 p.m. playing, the board did not adopt immediate new mitigations such as dampers or a shortened concert length. Several residents requested that the board convene a focused follow‑up discussion to consider technical dampening, a shorter daily program (for example, 5–7 minutes), or scheduled special full‑length concerts to preserve the tradition while reducing impacts on those living closest to the tower. Staff said the board can revisit the issue and explore options such as dampening equipment, different daily hours, or fewer days per week.

The board’s decision is procedural; any modifications that require mechanical work, purchase of dampening equipment or structural changes would require additional planning and funding decisions.

What’s next: Select Board members invited additional written comment and indicated they could hold a follow‑up meeting to review technical options and community compromises.