Letter: Fireworks Costly, Dangerous & Toxic

To the Editor:

I wrote the paragraph below on the Williamstown Facebook page regarding this year's fireworks plans. My comments are just as applicable to every town in the county and every city across America that plans a fireworks display.

The experience of Canadian forest fires' smoke-filled air blocking out the otherwise sunny sky above should give us all pause about how we have historically celebrated the 4th with fireworks. Everything about life as we had come to expect it is now in flux: hotter summers, warmer winters, more frequent and more severe weather, rising sea levels, worsening air quality, more global pandemics. We are a caring, educated and progressive community and, as such, as we observe the disruptions to the planet that human activity is causing; isn't it time to ban the use of fireworks due to the smoke and noise pollution as well as the toxins including lead that are released into the air and which then enter our lungs, enter the ground and our water both surface and underground.

The Mount Greylock wells were contaminated by the annual fireworks displays that used to be held there. Now the college is hosting fireworks at the Taconic Golf Course. Surely the damage being done is hardly worth the expense or the hour of thrills (?) the few who attend experience. There are better totally safe and more enjoyable ways to celebrate such as a light show. The Chamber (supported by local businesses and our taxes) and the Select Board (using our tax dollars) which are paying for the show should make this the last year for fireworks and plan on a healthy, responsible, planet-friendly alternative in the future.

It is my hope that readers will recognize this appeal is to our better selves. It is not anti-American, it is pro-health, pro-environment, and pro-gressive (time for change).

I am hoping readers throughout the county will join in the effort and movement to end the costly, dangerous, and toxic displays. Many household pets are terrified of the sound and of course the wildlife in our surrounding forests are as well but they have no voice. If they could speak, they would say how damaging it is to their sensitive hearing, how terrifying for them and their young, and how badly it smells that they forage and eat plants and drink water that have been contaminated from the fallout.

What of some of those who have fought in wars for our freedom and come home with PTSD? Some of them find the loud noise and bright lights bring back traumatic memories.

In other words, there is probably only a small minority of citizens who actually enjoy the fireworks and thrill to the sounds and light. There are safe alternatives. We should honor and celebrate in a manner that doesn't add to the harm being done to the planet, wildlife, and even ourselves.
 

Paul A. Harsch III
Williamstown, Mass.

Williamstown Art Museums Move Through Town Permitting Processes

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
06:38AM / Saturday, October 17, 2026

The new wing will replace the bridge between the Manton Research Center and the original Clark Art building. The giant oak, at left, will be 'well protected' officials said at the unveiling of the plans in July.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The town's two art museums were, collectively, before three town land-use boards over the last two weeks for approvals of an expansion and signage.

 

The Clark Art Institute on South Street was before the Conservation Commission, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals for permits to enable a 14,725 addition that will complete the connection between the museum's original building and its Manton Research Center to the south.

 

Officials from the Williams College Museum of Art, meanwhile, also went to the ZBA for an OK for the signage planned for is new museum on Main Street across from Field Park.

 

The new WCMA is well underway with announced plans to open during the 2027-28 academic year.

 

It cleared most town regulatory steps before a shovel went in the ground, but the last piece, the exterior signage, required signoff from the Zoning Board, which last year took the place of the defunct Sign Commission.

 

WCMA Deputy Director Devon Nowlin presented the signage plan at a Thursday hearing of the ZBA.

 

"The new visual identity is based on the concept of reflection, connection and interaction," Nowlin told the board. "As seen in this rendering, we have a complement of the different signage types that include a building marker. The building marker states the full name of the museum for clarity, and its position as a bench at the bus stop in front of the museum welcomes interaction and promotes public transportation to the museum."