Letter: Boyd Will Bring Fresh Perspective to Planning Board

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To the Editor:

I am writing to endorse Stephanie Boyd for the Williamstown Planning Board.

I have known Stephanie for almost 17 years. During that time, I have seen her tackle many different roles and interact with many different types of people. Whether working as the head of sustainability at the Williams Zilkha Center, orchestrating a major fundraiser for the Berkshire Immigrant Center, starting a highly-successful pottery business from scratch, or helping the Sand Springs board raise the funds to create a community pool, Stephanie has brought her wealth of experience, thoughtfulness, and sense of fairness to every endeavor.

She has an impressive educational background, including a bachelor's degree in civil engineering as well as an MBA. If elected to the Planning Board, I believe Stephanie will work tirelessly to support economic development and help create jobs, while remaining sensitive to our historic roots and the natural beauty that graces our town.

As those of you who know her may attest, Stephanie is a unique, energetic and talented individual, and I believe she will bring a fresh perspective to the Planning Board. Please join me in voting for her on May 8. 

 
Janette Kessler
Williamstown, Mass.
 

Tags: election 2018,   town elections,   


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Williamstown Charter Review Panel OKs Fix to Address 'Separation of Powers' Concern

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Charter Review Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to endorse an amended version of the compliance provision it drafted to be added to the Town Charter.
 
The committee accepted language designed to meet concerns raised by the Planning Board about separation of powers under the charter.
 
The committee's original compliance language — Article 32 on the annual town meeting warrant — would have made the Select Board responsible for determining a remedy if any other town board or committee violated the charter.
 
The Planning Board objected to that notion, pointing out that it would give one elected body in town some authority over another.
 
On Wednesday, Charter Review Committee co-Chairs Andrew Hogeland and Jeffrey Johnson, both members of the Select Board, brought their colleagues amended language that, in essence, gives authority to enforce charter compliance by a board to its appointing authority.
 
For example, the Select Board would have authority to determine a remedy if, say, the Community Preservation Committee somehow violated the charter. And the voters, who elect the Planning Board, would have ultimate say if that body violates the charter.
 
In reality, the charter says very little about what town boards and committees — other than the Select Board — can or cannot do, and the powers of bodies like the Planning Board are regulated by state law.
 
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