West Stockbridge advisory group weighing options after Stanton Foundation ends maintenance grants

The West Stockbridge Dog Park Advisory Committee discussed funding and implementation steps at its Jan. 11 meeting after learning the Stanton Foundation will close after 2025 and discontinue its three‑year maintenance grants. Committee members said the select board approved the committee’s design with only minor edits, allowing the group to meet the Stanton Foundation design deadline.

Michael Bolognino, who called the meeting to order, said Berkshire Design Group is finalizing the plan and that the select board’s limited changes—specifying lighting, benches and waste stations—should not prevent the committee from meeting the foundation’s deadline. He added the committee will enter the bidding phase after the foundation responds.

Members discussed several options to address the loss of Stanton maintenance funding. Roni Kramer suggested asking the Stanton Foundation whether unspent construction funds could be approved for maintenance. Committee members also discussed applying for town CPA funds in the future and other fundraising measures to cover recurring upkeep.

Jana Sax reiterated that the committee was formed at the town’s request and that the park will be on town land; she expressed surprise at what she described as limited support from the town’s public works department for tasks such as site clearing, mowing and snow removal. Mr. Bolognino said Curt Wilton (public works) participated on the select board call and was responsive to minimizing construction impacts.

To clarify long‑term responsibilities, the committee agreed to develop a memorandum of understanding that would outline maintenance obligations, water access and other duties. Mr. Bolognino said the MOU would be drafted with Marie Ryan and modelled on agreements used by other Massachusetts dog parks.

The committee identified timing considerations: members expect a Stanton Foundation response by May, after which bidding would begin; committee members said a groundbreaking could take place as soon as early summer, subject to funding and permitting. Committee members also discussed short‑term tactics for responding to an article they said contained inaccuracies about the select board meeting and outreach to town officials about maintenance commitments.

The meeting included one formal action: the committee approved the prior meeting’s minutes; the vote was unanimous except for Jackie Murray, who abstained. The group directed Paige Orloff to draft outreach communications to recruit volunteers and to publicize the project as design and funding work continue.

Next steps identified by the committee include finalizing the design with Berkshire Design Group, drafting the MOU with Marie Ryan, clarifying town public works’ role, and pursuing options for maintenance funding, including further conversations with the Stanton Foundation and potential CPA grant applications.