WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The committee that governs the town's fire district Wednesday finalized the fiscal year 2022 budget request it will send to voters later this month.
And the chair of the Prudential Committee used the opportunity to put that budget request into context.
"I understand the increase we're asking for is 10.6 percent," Richard Reynolds said. "That sounds like a large number. We're all aware this money is the taxpayers' money. We like to be very thoughtful about it.
"The town is not seeing a tax increase. And while ours is 10.6 percent, it's 6 cents for every $1,000 [of assessed property value]. So if you have a half-million dollar home in town, your tax increase for next year — not per quarter, but for the whole year — is $30. I understand that's your money, but we are trying to transform the department on a number of fronts."
Reynolds' committee talked about the district's FY22 fiscal priorities in detail at its last two monthly meetings. On Wednesday, it held a brief special meeting to finalize the language that will go into the warrant for the annual district meeting on May 25, where voters will be asked to vote up or down on the spending plan.
A large part of the increase of the current fiscal year comes from costs associated with the Prudential Committee's efforts to build a new fire station to replace the cramped, antiquated facility on Water Street.
Another thing impacting the budget: a decision to put more money into the district's stabilization account. Historically, the district has funded the acquisition of new trucks from stabilization, and the cost of fire apparatus continues to rise. The committee members have in recent years bumped up the amount the district raises and appropriates from taxation to fund the stabilization account.
Reynolds encouraged any residents with questions or concerns about the district budget to contact him at rreynolds01267@gmail.com so he can talk "about what the budget differences are and why we're making those changes."
Reynolds said the district already has received an email from one resident with questions about the planned budget increase.
Referring to that correspondent and for the benefit of anyone else who may have been viewing Wednesday's virtual meeting, Reynolds explained that the fire district is a separate municipal entity apart from town government with its own taxing authority. Residents do receive a single tax bill, but that is a matter of convenience for taxpayers and efficiency for government; the fire district, which has a much smaller budget, relies on the town tax collectors to collect revenue and pass it along to the district.
One concern raised by the resident who wrote the district about the budget was a plan to acquire more than $28,000 in equipment that will be paid for with funds from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
"That is all completely reimbursable under the CARES Act," Reynolds said. "What we've done is taken an opportunity to identify this funding that's available to us that will allow us to accelerate the expansion of the use of technology in the district at no cost to the community."
The annual election for the Prudential Committee will be held Tuesday, May 25, at Williamstown Elementary School from 4 to 7 p.m. David Moresi will stand for re-election to his three-year seat, and Lyndsay Neathawk is running to replace departing committee member Ed McGowan.
The annual district meeting will follow at 7:30 in the school's gymnasium. A request for a no-excuse absentee ballot for the district election is available here.
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Williamstown Charter Review Panel OKs Fix to Address 'Separation of Powers' Concern
By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Charter Review Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to endorse an amended version of the compliance provision it drafted to be added to the Town Charter.
The committee accepted language designed to meet concerns raised by the Planning Board about separation of powers under the charter.
The committee's original compliance language — Article 32 on the annual town meeting warrant — would have made the Select Board responsible for determining a remedy if any other town board or committee violated the charter.
The Planning Board objected to that notion, pointing out that it would give one elected body in town some authority over another.
On Wednesday, Charter Review Committee co-Chairs Andrew Hogeland and Jeffrey Johnson, both members of the Select Board, brought their colleagues amended language that, in essence, gives authority to enforce charter compliance by a board to its appointing authority.
For example, the Select Board would have authority to determine a remedy if, say, the Community Preservation Committee somehow violated the charter. And the voters, who elect the Planning Board, would have ultimate say if that body violates the charter.
In reality, the charter says very little about what town boards and committees — other than the Select Board — can or cannot do, and the powers of bodies like the Planning Board are regulated by state law.
The Charter Review Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to endorse an amended version of the compliance provision it drafted to be added to the Town Charter. click for more
Developer David Traggorth asked the trustees to make the contribution from its coffers to help unlock an additional $5.4 million in state funds for the planned 54-unit apartment building at the south end of the Cable Mills site.
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The donors, who wish to remain anonymous, say the gift reflects their desire to not only support Williams but also President Maud S. Mandel's strategic vision and plan for the college.
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Neighbors of a proposed subdivision off Summer Street last week asked the Planning Board to take a critical look at the project, which the residents say is out of scale to the neighborhood. click for more