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Plans Begin Rolling For Sand Springs Pool Committee

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The group of residents that banded together to try to buy the Sand Springs Pool is progressing through its due-dilligence.

According to Janette Dudley, spokeswoman for the group, the recently formed committee is in the process of planning out the specifics of forming a brand-new organization, writing out a business plan and fundraising.

Dudley said the process is "long-term" but things are beginning to move forward. The group met Thursday and in an e-mail Dudley provided bullet-points of the group's progress so far.

  • Pool maintenance expert has reviewed the mechanical equipment and will provide an informed estimate of operating expenses;

  • Research has been conducted on membership rates and numbers of members;

  • Insurance expert has provided an estimate of insurance costs;

  • Pro forma projections have been fine-tuned and show a positive cash flow in all operating years;

  • Research on possible tenants is underway;

  • Feasibility study drafting in process;
  • Fundraising roadmap under development
Additionally the group has been broken into subcommittees for marketing, leasing, food service, fund raising, negotiations and legal, Dudlet said.

Current owners, Wampanaug Springs Inc., closed the pool this year after trying to sell it since 2008. An employee tried to save the pool last year by applying for money from the Community Preservation Fund. The application failed without a motion from the town panel. The price is listed as $599,000.

The committee began meeting in March with their eyes set on reopening next year.
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Williamstown Fire Committee Talks Station Project Cuts, Truck Replacement

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Prudential Committee on Wednesday signed off on more than $1 million in cost cutting measures for the planned Main Street fire station.
 
Some of the "value engineering" changes are cosmetic, while at least one pushes off a planned expense into the future.
 
The committee, which oversees the Fire District, also made plans to hold meetings over the next two Wednesdays to finalize its fiscal year 2025 budget request and other warrant articles for the May 28 annual district meeting. One of those warrant articles could include a request for a new mini rescue truck.
 
The value engineering changes to the building project originated with the district's Building Committee, which asked the Prudential Committee to review and sign off.
 
In all, the cuts approved on Wednesday are estimated to trim $1.135 million off the project's price tag.
 
The biggest ticket items included $250,000 to simplify the exterior masonry, $200,000 to eliminate a side yard shed, $150,000 to switch from a metal roof to asphalt shingles and $75,000 to "white box" certain areas on the second floor of the planned building.
 
The white boxing means the interior spaces will be built but not finished. So instead of dividing a large space into six bunk rooms and installing two restrooms on the second floor, that space will be left empty and unframed for now.
 
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