League of Women Voters Hosting Congressman Neal

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Williamstown League of Women Voters is hosting a public forum with U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield.

The congressman will discuss the challenges and opportunities he foresees for the 113th Congress with constituents.

Neal was elected the representative for the 1st Mass District last November as part of the redistricting process after six terms as congressman for the 2nd Mass. Neal sits on the House Ways and Means Committee and is the ranking minority member on the Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee, and is co-chairman of the New England Congressional Caucus.

The event takes place on Monday, April 8, from 5:30 to 7 at the Williams Inn  at the Clark Art Institute.

The congressman will also visit with students and faculty at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and tour the new science center.

Williamstown Fire Committee Talks Station Project Cuts, Truck Replacement

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:17AM / Friday, April 26, 2024

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.