Letter: Bilal for Williamstown Select Board

To the Editor:

I am writing to urge Williamstown voters to elect Bilal Ansari to the Williamstown Select Board on Tuesday, May 10. Dr. Ansari has dedicated himself to a life of service, to helping people resolve difficult situations. He listens intently and responds carefully with compassion. He appeals to our best nature. These are essential skills needed at this moment in our town.

Dr. Ansari does not believe that he alone has the solutions to all of the challenges facing our town. Instead, he wants to hear from those comfortable speaking up and also those who, until now, have not felt comfortable nor heard at all. He believes it will take a village to share concerns and work together to make Williamstown a better place for everyone to live and work and grow. But making that happen takes a special type of skilled leadership.

Bilal Ansari is the candidate blessed with that skilled leadership and a stake in our town's quality of life. He has deep roots in this town: his ancestors lived and worked here. He is committed to an approach based in kindness and inclusion. He is the candidate who can and will help us reach a new, inclusive and more equitable chapter in our town's history.

I ask for your vote on May 10 for Bilal Ansari for the Williamstown Select Board. Thank you.

Hugh L Guilderson, Ph.D.
Williamstown, Mass.

Williams Community Chest Looking Forward to Centennial

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
09:20AM / Sunday, April 19, 2026

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Williamstown Community Chest is making plans to celebrate its centennial anniversary this year. 

 

"We are planning some big celebrations around this milestone," said board President Matt Carter at the nonprofit's 99th annual business meeting on Tuesday morning, unveiling the logo to be used this year "to look back on the history of the community, and to celebrate with all of you and the work that you do over this 100th year."

 

The 100th annual meeting will be held on March 10, 2027, the Community Chest's birthday (there will be cake, he promised) and a gala will be held at the Clark Art Institute on Sept. 25, 2027. 

 

"We're going to try to use this year to highlight the great work that everyone does. It's usually a custom for someone to say, well, we couldn't do this work without you, but you are the work," he said to the gathering at the Williams Inn. "We really exist to support you in doing this work."

 

The local Community Chest supports 19 agencies, awarding $318,500 in allocations, as well as $62,200 in grants in 2025 to local organizations. 

 

Executive Director Anne Singleton thanks the many volunteers and businesses that support the Community Chest and its 19 agencies.

thanked the chest's many supporters, including MountainOne for sponsoring the annual Fun Run, Williams College for hosting is Penny Social and Nonprofit Fair.

 

"I'd like to extend that thank you to our local businesses that support all kinds of events for us. They provide prizes for the Penny Social and they do this for many, many organizations and fundraisers," she said.