iBerkshires Kicks Off Clark Art Institute Countdown

This artist rendering shows what the new Clark Art Institute visitors center will look like at night.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — iBerkshires.com and the Clark Art Institute have teamed up to count down, in style, to the grand reopening of the Clark on July 4.

Starting today, Monday, June 2, and running through Sunday, July 6, a new page on iBerkshires.com will feature stories, pictures, videos and more that take a look at past, present and future of the Clark Art Institute.

"We're thrilled to partner with such an important cultural institution, not only in the Berkshires but the entire Northeast," iBerkshires.com Editor-in-Chief Tammy Daniels said. "The Clark has been giving back to the community for so many years and we're excited to be able to promote this historic moment."

Local residents and potential visitors alike will be able to click on the page throughout the month of June for stories leading up to the July 4 reopening celebrations. The final weekend of the special page will feature complete team coverage of the festivities.

Also, the iBerkshires.com Facebook page will feature tidbits as well as a trivia contest to win admission passes to the new Clark.

"This is an important moment for Williamstown, for Berkshire County and for the international art community, and iBerkshires.com will be there every step of the way," Daniels said.

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.