Clark Art to Host Final Foraging Walk of Season Sept. 26

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. —  The Clark Art Institute hosts its final foraging walk of the season with naturalist and wild edibles enthusiast Arianna Alexsandra Collins on Sept. 26.

Collins will guide visitors across the Clark’s 140-acre campus in a one-hour talk, identifying wild edibles and medicinals found on the grounds. The walkabout begins at 5:30 p.m. on the Fernández Terrace by the Clark’s Reflecting Pool.

Collins, who serves as executive director of the Hoosic River Watershed Association, will discuss characteristics for proper identification of flora and fungi, as well as meal and medicinal preparation. Trailside nibbling throughout the walkabout is encouraged.

Collins is an environmental education professional with twenty years of experience in teaching, curriculum design, program development, project administration, daily operations, public relations, and community engagement.

Free. Registration is required, and capacity is limited to sixteen participants. For more information and to register, visit clarkart.edu/events.

Williamstown Fire Committee Talks Station Project Cuts, Truck Replacement

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:17AM / Friday, April 26, 2024

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Prudential Committee on Wednesday signed off on more than $1 million in cost cutting measures for the planned Main Street fire station.

 

Some of the "value engineering" changes are cosmetic, while at least one pushes off a planned expense into the future.

 

The committee, which oversees the Fire District, also made plans to hold meetings over the next two Wednesdays to finalize its fiscal year 2025 budget request and other warrant articles for the May 28 annual district meeting. One of those warrant articles could include a request for a new mini rescue truck.

 

The value engineering changes to the building project originated with the district's Building Committee, which asked the Prudential Committee to review and sign off.

 

In all, the cuts approved on Wednesday are estimated to trim $1.135 million off the project's price tag.

 

The biggest ticket items included $250,000 to simplify the exterior masonry, $200,000 to eliminate a side yard shed, $150,000 to switch from a metal roof to asphalt shingles and $75,000 to "white box" certain areas on the second floor of the planned building.

 

The white boxing means the interior spaces will be built but not finished. So instead of dividing a large space into six bunk rooms and installing two restrooms on the second floor, that space will be left empty and unframed for now.