Letter: Williamstown Planning Board Proposals

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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's Images Holds Ribbon-Cutting at Renovated Theater

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – Before breaking the seal on a renovated Images Cinema, its leadership expressed gratitude to everyone who made it happen.
 
“Matt [Brogan] just said something to me about what a lucky day it is,” Images Board Chair Steve Simon said at the outset of Friday morning’s brief ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Spring Street movie house. “And I have to say, that is exactly the sentiment I have. What a lucky day.
 
“This has truly been a project of heart and love, envisioned, in many ways, by Kevin O’Rourke and Wit McKay. As we responded to what’s happened to theaters in this country with COVID and streaming, we were like, ‘We have to do something different and better.’ “
 
The result is a very different Images than the one that closed for renovations last October.
 
The most striking change is that where the facility once was a single, 150-seat theater, Images now boasts a 70-seat main screen, 18-seat second theater and 15-seat lounge. The new theaters also boast better seats and technical upgrades to enhance the viewing experience, like 4K laser projection in the big theater.
 
“In our main theater, thanks to a grant from Feigenbaum Foundation, we have a Dolby Atmos-certified system, the only of its kind in Berkshire County, and the only of its kind between New York and Boston,” Executive Director Dan Hudson said before joining Simon in cutting the ribbon. “It's truly a world class cinema that is a gift from the community back to the community. So proud and privileged to be part of all of this.”
 
The theater reopened in May but celebrated its rebirth Friday as part of the townwide, two-day celebration of America’s birth.
 
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