Letter: 2019 Zoning Articles Are a Step Forward for Williamstown's Future

To the Editor:

It is the role of the Planning Board to envision and plan for our town's future. That means they inevitably must grapple with questions of change: proposing adjustments to zoning bylaws to facilitate goals we want, while avoiding those harmful to us. It almost goes without saying that when the Planning Board is doing its job, residents will view it with a fearful eye — if for no other reason than it could bring change. But Williamstown needs change. In particular, we need to diversify our housing options. Not doing so effectively keeps out younger and older people of all kinds who struggle to find housing in our town.

This year, the Planning Board made every effort to invite the community into its discussions. The board received and grappled with a healthy diversity of opinion, and it has ultimately reached a majority consensus on a path forward, one that was unanimously supported by the Select Board. The present bylaw amendments are modest, commonsense proposals that represent the smallest impactful change voters seem likely to embrace at this time.

Article 32 simplifies the regulations regarding two-family housing, giving property owners the right to divide an existing single-family house without restriction. Current laws limit the size of the second unit to 900 square feet. Article 33 revisits the town's bylaw on accessory dwelling units (aka "in-law cottages"), making it possible for property owners to add a small housing unit in an existing or new structure, such as a garage or barn, or to build a new 900 square-foot dwelling unit by right, if their property conforms with town zoning.

Anne O'Connor
Williamstown, Mass.

O'Connor is currently serving as chair of the Select Board and writes that this letter reflects her personal viewpoint.

Reminder to Lanesborough, Williamstown Voters: Mount Greylock School Committee a 'Write-In' Election

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
10:03AM / Friday, October 30, 2026

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Politicians and pundits in recent years have been preaching patience when it comes to getting election night results.

 

That usually means places like California, where vote-counting can be complicated or Michigan, where razor thin margins are anticipated.

 

Add Williamstown and Lanesborough to that list.

 

It is not a matter of pre-election polling suggesting particularly tight races; there is no such polling. Rather, it is a question of how voters will be making their selections in the race for the Mount Greylock Regional School District Committee.

 

None of the six candidates who qualified for four seats up for grabs on the panel appear on the ballots that have been mailed out, used in early voting or will be distributed at the polls on Nov. 3.

 

That means that all votes will be cast as write-ins, and that means it will take significantly longer for election workers to tally up votes in the local election once the polls close at 8 p.m. at Lanesborough Town Hall and Williamstown Elementary School.

 

As always, voters in both towns vote for all four seats on the ballot: two seats for Lanesborough residents and two for Williamstown residents in this year’s balloting.