Letter: Jane Patton for Williamstown Select Board

To the Editor:

We are writing in support of Jane Patton for re-election to the Select Board.

Jane led the board through a tumultuous time in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd (in Minneapolis in 2020) and the revelations of misconduct in the Williamstown Police Department. Under Jane's leadership, the Select Board created the DIRE committee and she served as a member in its inaugural year. Over the past two years, Jane has shown up every day, listened empathically and worked diligently to build back the trust that was lost with many in the community. She asked the difficult questions, held people accountable and made the tough decisions.

Jane and her colleagues on the Select Board have improved accountability and transparency in town. We have a new town manager and we will soon have a new police chief. The town's HR policies have been revised and are available to the public and we will soon have a position to implement those policies and assist with important diversity work. The Police Department is seeking accreditation and they are working more closely with citizens in town to better understand how policing impacts everyone in our community. While the town is in a better place, there's more work to do and the town will be well served with Jane continuing that work.

In addition to her tireless leadership during these difficult times, Jane continues to be an advocate for much needed recreational opportunities for all members of our community, believes we need to create more diverse housing options in town and supports the environmental initiatives of the COOL Committee

Andi Bryant, Karl Mullen, Merritt Colaizzi, Elaine Neely, Liz Costley, Fred Puddester, Tom Costley, Susan Puddester, Brian Drake,  Reena Sharma, Karen Falk, Sanjay Sharmads, Joe Finnegan, Bob Stegeman, Tom Green, Carol Stegeman, Kristen Johanson and Charles Swabey.
Williamstown, Mass.

Williamstown's Images Cinema Set for May 22 Reopening

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:28AM / Friday, May 01, 2026

Construction work on the main screen room at Images is seen through a hole cut for a to-be-installed projector.

 

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Images Cinema will be making up for lost time when the non-profit venue reopens this month after a major renovation and redesign.

 

"First Look," a two-week festival screening some of the biggest films of the last year, will usher in a new era for the century-old Spring Street venue.

 

The Oscar winner for Best Picture is just one of more than a dozen films that will be shown during the festival, which will run from May 22 through June 4.

 

"After a long, cold winter, we're so excited to fully spring back into action at Images," Executive Director Dan Hudson said in a news release. "What better way to celebrate with the community than by showing great films, some of which we have not yet been able to present?"

 

Images members will be able to see films ranging from "One Battle After Another" to "Zootopia 2" for free. Non-members will be able to attend for just $5 during the two-week festival.

 

The theater itself figures to be part of the draw.

 

After closing for renovations in October, Images will reopen with a new configuration, including a 70-seat main theater, an 18-seat second theater and a 15-seat lounge available for "intimate" screenings and events. The main screen will feature Dolby Atmos immersive sound and 4K laser projection. The second screen will have 7.1 surround sound and 2K laser projection.