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 Fin Comm Sets Water, Sewer Hikes

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Finance Committee on Wednesday decided to send a 5 percent increase in the town's water and sewer rates and discussed possible moves that could trim the tax levy increase generated by the fiscal year 2027 spending plan the committee sends to town meeting later this spring.
 
That water rate increase and another 5 percent hike in FY28, in conjunction with use of reserves from the water department, will enable the town to address two capital projects — the replacement of a well and the replacement of customers' water meters — without needing to borrow for either project.
 
The specter of issuing a small bond for a $1.5-million meter replacement project drew concern from members of the Fin Comm at its March 11 meeting.
 
At the same time, the committee is sensitive to big increases in the fees paid by all residents on town water and sewer in a year when town meeting voters already face the prospect of a major rise in the assessment from the Mount Greylock Regional School District among other rising costs of municipal services.
 
But, as noted on Wednesday night, the town's water and sewer rates — not counting its assessment from the Hoosac Water Quality District — have not seen an increase since FY23.
 
Matheus Carrato Alexandre of utility rate consultant Waterworth made his second appearance before the Fin Comm via teleconference and explained how the 5 percent increases in the water rate could cover the department's capital needs and keep the operation in good fiscal shape.
 
"If you're tracking what's happening with the black line, which represents your cash position, all we're showing here is a stable position until '27," Alexandre said, showing the Fin Comm a series of graphs outlining the recent past and next few years of the town's water operations. "In fiscal '27, you're using those restricted funds to cover a large project, and nothing is changing in your cash. It's pretty much staying the same.
 
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