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Williams College Redoing Varsity Tennis Courts

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- The varsity tennis courts at Williams College are undergoing a large-scale renovation project.
 
The plan of the Torrence M. Hunt courts is to remove all of the components of the six original competition courts to make them more sufficient to play on and maintain. 
 
"I'm most excited about breaking in the new courts for our first home-match of the season this spring," head women's coach Anik Cepeda said.
 
The unsuitable material beneath the old courts created annual maintenance strategies that attempted to fix the cracking and poor drainage of the six courts. The new courts will be post tension concrete, which will allow for the courts to be better able to withstand weather conditions and maintain a better surface.
 
"Less work for our amazing facilities crew will be a huge bonus, as will getting an edge in recruiting," head men's coach Dan Greenberg said. "I think we have one of the nicest backdrops in the country, so these renovations will make it one of the best facilities out there."   
 
Also included in the project will be new fencing around the courts, new tennis nets, the addition of a scoreboard, new seating, electrical and drainage upgrades, and a PA system. 
 
"It will be a much better venue for spectators," Athletic Director Lisa Melendy said. "In particular, the addition of a scoreboard will allow spectators to follow the match progress rather than just drop by and not know what is going on." 
 
The project is expected to be completed by early October.
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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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