Stockbridge council approves planning committee pay increase, pays $79,523.60 in bills and renews water contract

The Village of Stockbridge council met Dec. 29, 2025, and approved a series of routine administrative measures including payment of outstanding bills, a contract renewal and an increase in meeting compensation for planning volunteers.

Council approved payment of $79,523.60 in bills after a motion by Cattell and a second by Howlett. The roll call recorded Aye votes from Morehouse, Cattell, Howlett and Ogden; Fairbotham was absent. The council also approved payment of a TMF invoice for $42,930.00 on a motion by President Ogden, seconded by Howlett; the roll call again recorded Aye votes from Morehouse, Howlett, Cattell and Ogden, with Fairbotham absent.

The council moved to increase pay for the Planning Committee chair to $75 per meeting and for Planning Committee members to $50 per meeting, to take effect March 1, 2026. The motion was made by Howlett, supported by Morehouse, and passed on roll call with Cattell, Morehouse, Howlett and Ogden voting Aye; Fairbotham was absent.

On another motion, Morehouse moved and Howlett supported renewal of the Great Lakes Water Operations contract; that motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. The council also adopted a Second Amendment to the Village of Stockbridge Municode Code of Ordinances (Appendix A: Rates and Charges) concerning water system rates on a motion by Howlett, supported by Cattell; roll call showed Aye votes from Morehouse, Cattell, Howlett and Ogden with Fairbotham absent.

The meeting record shows the council approved use of the village hall for recreation programming tied to a grant involving 5 Healthy Towns and SWAC; Howlett moved and Cattell supported the motion, which passed on a voice vote. President Ogden moved, supported by Howlett, to appoint Howlett and Cattell to the Ordinance Committee; that motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 1:29 p.m. on a motion by Howlett, seconded by Cattell.

No members of the public spoke during the public-comment portions of the meeting. The council noted that Capital Area Community Services is supporting village residents through a utility-assistance program; no dollar amounts or detailed eligibility criteria were provided in the meeting record. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2026.