Williamstown Police Support New Station Plans
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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Town police officers gathered at Monday night's Board of Selectmen meeting to show their united support for the proposed renovations to their current police faciliites.
With renewed discussion about the possible new police station on the agenda, several members of the force showed up to back the town's decision to move forward with considerations.
"We're behind [Chief Kyle Johnson] and the town 100 percent," said Officer Michael Ziemba.
At the June 25th meeting, Selectmen authorized Town Manager Peter Fohlin to pursue a state grant to fund the construction of a new police station. The proposed station would be built onto the west side of the current Municipal Building on North Street and would include an enclosed sally port for unloading prisoners. The grant, intended for use in financing the repair, renovation and construction of municipal police stations, made $2 million available statewide.
Neither Fohlin nor the Selectmen expect to receive much for the project. Applying for the grant, however, is a step in the right direction.
"This is work that gets the ball rolling," said Chairman David Rempell.
Chief Johnson and former Chief Joseph Zoito explained the need to update the current 40-year old facility. Johnson said the building doesn't meet federal requirements for Americans with Disabilities Act, the cells aren't up to code and the few rooms are crowded with equipment. He offered tours of the facility to any interested party, but added that it "probably wouldn't take very long."
"A modern facility would improve the working environment for everyone,"said Rempell.
Sgt. Scott McGowan said the most challenging part of working in the outdated facility is the location of the main entrance and the close proximity of prisoners to the general public.
"It's in the same area that the public does general police business," McGowan said. "It's one of the most important safety issues."
"It's commonsensical. When someone is being incarcerated, privacy is most necessary," said Rempell.
Both the Police Department and the Selectmen are eager to pursue future opportunities to fund the creation of a new station.
"The police do their job efficiently — in a way, quietly — and people don't realize the needs they have right here," said Richard C. Steege.
School Committee Appointment
With the resignation of Sally White from the Mount Greylock Regional High School Committee, five town residents are vying for the empty seat.
Selectmen heard presentations from hopefuls Laura Jones Kobrin and Jonathan Krant, who shared differing views on the role of the seven-member committee.
With the school facing financial woes and decreasing enrollment, the two candidates were asked to pose suggestions to these ongoing problems.
"I don't have any quick solutions for Greylock," said Jones Kobrin. "Sometimes you have to make some hard decisions and live with them."
Jones Kobrin said she had no specific agenda for Mount Greylock. Instead, she felt the need to give back to her community. She said she was prepared to work hard with a commitment to serving and an enthusiasm to help.
"I'm certainly not all-knowing, but the word on the street is that the school is not up to the standards that it had been at one time and that's why some parents aren't sending their children to Mount Greylock," she said. "Why is this happening and what can we do to fix it?"
Krant suggested a collaboration of the high school and community resources to help ease the tension the committee is facing.
"How do we utilize existing resources in the community to make meaningful education?" he asked. "In an era of diminishing resources, we need to ensure a quality education."
Krant said he didn't exactly know how he would facilitate change, but he did say he had the passion to find out.
We need people of talent and industry and ability to discover Williamstown," he said. "I don't yet have the insight, but I do have the vision."
Selectmen will select a committee member at the June 23 meeting.
Other Business Rempell, Steege, Jane B. Allen and Ronald Turbin also unanimously approved a $285,664.64 water and sewer warrant. Selectman Tom Costley was absent.
Tags: appointments, police station,
