Williamstown to Vote On Budgets, Housing and Farms
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Voters will be deciding the fate of articles regarding zoning bylaw changes, allowing farms to host weddings and other celebrations, the creation of an affordable housing trust fund and both town and school budgets.
The general government budget is proposed at $6,570,461, which is a 2 percent increase from last year. The town budget is not expected to change the tax rates.
The Elementary School budget is also proposed to be increased by 2 percent to $5,366,774. The Northern Berkshire Vocation Regional School District is down by 18 percent to $300,298 and Mount Greylock Regional High School is up by $9,520 at $4,610,041.
The town is also requesting $837,541 for capital improves, which include replacing three highway trucks, engineering for a new police station as well as a new Water Department truck, water meeting replacements and work on North Hoosac Road.
A debated zoning bylaw change that would allow some homes to add second dwelling units to their property is also up to voters. The change is intended for owners of large properties to be able to transform old structures into rental units. However, it has been contended by some who fear the increase in density in some neighborhoods would be negative to property values.
Another contested article asks voters to approve changing the zoning bylaws for farms to allow weddings and other celebrations — such as concerts. The article has been debated and rewritten many times. The proponents argue that it will save farms by giving them an additional income while the detractors oppose the disturbance it will cause in rural neighborhoods.
Much of the Community Preservation Fund account is also being asked to be spent on various projects - the largest of which would be to put $200,000 aside in an affordable housing trust fund. The creation of the trust fund must be approved in an earlier warrant article. The the fund is created, voters will then be asked to set aside $200,000 to allow a newly-formed committee to spend that money on affordable housing projects.
Additionally, the Affordable Housing Committee is asking for about $107,000 in CPA funds to continue researching possible developments.
The other CPA articles include an $80,000 request from Berkshire Housing Development Corp. to expand Proprietors Fields, $4,000 to restore the chimney on the 1753 House and $25,000 for gravestone restoration at Southlawn Cemetery.
Town meeting begins at 7 Tuesday evening at the Elementary School. The full warrant is below.
Williamstown Warrant
