Letter: Williamstown Planning Board Proposals

Letter to the Editor05:00PM / Wednesday, June 08, 2022Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

How many citizens voted at the last town election? How many will vote at the town meeting? Town meeting is quaint AND irrevocably broken.

A holistic approach to town zoning is far preferable. Selectively passing one or two of the failed Planning Board's proposed zoning changes amounts to spot zoning. All related articles should be tabled or voted down.

Here is something to consider if you think the GR proposals, at minimum, are harmless. If you own land that can be divided into two or more now buildable parcels, guess what? Your property taxes will be jacked up because now, your property is "more valuable!" Voila!

These ill-thought out zoning changes have actually sucked the life out of any new real ideas as to how to create affordable housing in "The Village Beautiful." Sadly, instead, all our energy has been wasted on debating these ill-advised Planning Board proposals!

Ken Swiatek
Williamstown, Mass.

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Williamstown Select Board Wears Many Hats at Monday Meeting

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
10:15AM / Thursday, October 29, 2026

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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