Williamstown Youth Center Hosts New Martial Arts Program

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Bear Martial Arts is presenting a new program housed at the Williamstown Youth Center

Adult and children’s classes start on July 1, 2014 at the WYC facility located at 66 School St.

Bear Martial Arts' dedicated instructors, James Shin and Alex Benko, deliver a values-based martial arts program centering on character building, goal setting, and leadership skills. Along with teaching techniques in self-defense, the new WYC martial arts program focuses on the importance of respect, self-esteem, and self-control. Goshin Jutsu, a self-defense oriented martial art emphasizing the interaction of the striking arts with the jujutsu arts, will be the style of instruction.

The major principles from karate, boxing, jujutsu, and wrestling are incorporated into the curriculum to help students develop a well-rounded style. The WYC is looking forward to providing their new facilities to Bear Martial Arts and to giving the community an excellent opportunity for self-development.

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.