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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Developer Working Through Delay in Opening Williamstown Apartments

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
 
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- A delay in obtaining the certificate of occupancy for a 54-unit apartment building on Water Street forced some tenants to postpone their moves this week.
 
The "River Lofts" apartments, the third and final planned phase of development at the Cable Mills property, is funded in part by $480,000 in town contributions to the developer.
 
On Friday morning, iBerkshires.com heard from would-be occupants that they had to change their plans at the last minute while the four-story building awaited final sign-off from the town's building inspector.
 
"We are very close but there are a few small punch list items that need to be finalized," Town Manager Robert Menicocci wrote in a midday Friday email. "Our building inspector is working closely with them each day to help them get their c/o. We are hopeful that it can happen in the next day or so."
 
Developer David Traggorth of Hanover, Mass., firm Causeway Development said that such delays are not uncommon and are taken into account in the initial leases of new developments like River Lofts.
 
"As is typical with new construction, the final inspection process involves several approvals, and timing can shift," Traggorth wrote in reply to an email seeking information. "Given this reality, resident leases anticipate potential construction-related delays and address changes to occupancy dates and rent adjustments while an apartment is unavailable.
 
"We’re completing the final inspection and certificate of occupancy process at River Lofts, and a handful of residents have had to adjust their move-in dates. We understand that changing an expected moving date is disruptive and our leasing and marketing team is in touch with each affected resident, working through individual needs on a case-by-case basis."
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