Letter: Williamstown Shouldn't Rush Zoning Changes

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To the Editor:

To Members of the Select Board and the Planning Board of Williamstown,

I have been a resident of Williamstown since 1971 and the owner of residential property in town. I am concerned about the process going through your committees to consider zoning changes in this town.

The process is rushing to put these changes in the next warrant articles, to be voted on in the next town meeting. This is unfair to town residents, who need more time to learn about and consider these proposed changes — few residents are even aware of their existence.


Most importantly, the town has hired a consultant for a new comprehensive plan for the town and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission is in the process of conducting a housing needs assessment for Berkshire County. Until these two reports have been completed, it makes no sense to ask us to vote on changes in zoning ordinances.

Thank you for your vigilance in ensuring that we voters get all the information and consultation we need to vote responsibly on proposed zoning changes in Williamstown.

Sincerely,

Tela Zasloff
Williamstown, Mass.

 

 

 


Tags: zoning,   

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Williamstown Housing Trust Clarifies Status of Contributions to Habitat Project

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — A representative of Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity appeared before the board of the town's Affordable Housing Trust on Wednesday to make sure the body still was committed to a $100,000 contribution toward the first home to be built in a subdivision off Summer Street.
 
Keith Davis told the board that his understanding was the board committed at its Aug. 20, 2025, meeting to make the contribution in addition to the $120,000 the trustees pledged to help build infrastructure to serve the planned four-home subdivision.
 
Although the first payment was received, Davis was concerned that the board was not accounting for the $100,000 contribution at its monthly meeting when it received a report from the trust's treasurer on the body's available funds.
 
"When I listen to your meetings and don't hear the commitment for $100,000, that makes me a little nervous," Davis said. "Because that is a major contribution."
 
The three trustees who were on the board last summer all agreed that the commitment for the second six-figure contribution was made.
 
Then-treasurer Ruth Harrison did not choose to serve another term after her term expired on June 30.
 
Davis told the panel that something in one of her recent treasurer's report caught his attention.
 
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