Stockbridge clarifies boat‑launch repairs and zebra‑mussel monitor roles

Committee members asked for details about the boat launch and the town’s zebra‑mussel monitoring program at Tuesday’s meeting.

Michael Canales said the kayak launch requires some missing parts that have been gathered and that the highway department will handle routine maintenance; the state funded the main project and the town set aside $25,000 for minor repairs. "Everything we have is up there...the highway department did look through down in their shop as to whether they had anything else," Canales said.

Members also sought clarity about the zebra‑mussel monitors’ duties and enforcement authority. Canales said monitors are tasked with checking boat cleaning and educating visitors; they are not law‑enforcement officers. "Our zebra mussel monitors are not enforcement," he said. If a visitor swims from the boat launch after being told not to, monitors are instructed to contact law enforcement, which could include state police, town police or environmental police depending on dispatch.

The committee was told the state provided $6,000 toward monitoring this season and the town covers remaining costs. Officials said the monitors should not be put into confrontation with the public; instead, they will alert enforcement if a situation requires a response.

No policy changes were adopted at the meeting; committee members asked staff to continue outreach explaining permitted uses of the launch and to coordinate with enforcement and the monitor team on summer operations.