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 Select Board Wears Many Hats at Monday Meeting

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday evening has two different meetings scheduled for two different locations, but, in reality, the first of those sessions was actually four meetings in one.
 
At its regular twice-monthly meeting on the first floor of Town Hall, the board took action in its capacity as the town's alcohol license commission, road commission, parks commission and, yes, Select Board.
 
After wearing all those hats, the board moved to the Municipal Building's third floor to conduct additional Select Board business, the evaluation of the town manager.
 
The item up for consideration came under the auspices of the board as an alcohol commission, a request from the new owner of the 6 House Pub for a change of manager on the establishment's liquor license.
 
Attorney Dennis Egan of Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook represented the new ownership, 1896 House LLC, which is under contract to purchase the 1896 House Inn and associated restaurant on Cold Spring Road (Route 7).
 
Egan said the new manager works for Roam Hospitality of St. Petersburg, Fla., which currently operates Massachusetts hotels in Salem and Rockport in addition to other spots around the country.
 
"The plan is to undertake a renovation … and make it a premier flagship hospitality and restaurant destination," Egan said.
 
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