 Lack of Economic Growth Factors Into Williamstown FY27 Budget TalksA planned discussion on priorities for the town's fiscal year 2027 spending plan Monday quickly pivoted to the latest in a series of Town Hall conversations about anemic growth in the town's property tax base.  Williamstown to Apartment Dwellers: Don't Smoke 'Em if You Got 'EmWilliamstown town meeting Thursday decided to implement a ban on smoking or vaping tobacco products in apartments with more than four units and to limit the number of days in a year that home can be rented as an "Airbnb."  Smoking Ban, Airbnb Limits Put to Williamstown Town Meeting MembersThe age-old tension between individual liberties and the common good will be in play when residents convene for the annual town meeting on Thursday evening at Mount Greylock Regional School.  PFAS Issue Splits Williamstown Select Board on Sewer RateAbout 20 residents and the majority of the Select Board on Monday sent a message to the Hoosac Water Quality District: importing sludge and converting it to compost is a bad deal and unethical. Williamstown Select Board Weighs in on FY26 Budget, CPA GrantsThe board decided to put off a decision on its recommendation for an article related to the sewer department, and the panel split on whether to support a series of appropriations of Community Preservation Act funds. Williamstown Fin Comm OKs Budget with Tax Hike, Lower Non-Profit AllotmentThe Finance Committee on Wednesday voted to send town meeting a fiscal year 2026 spending plan that would raise property taxes by more than 7 percent in the year that begins on July 1. Williamstown Finance Begins Review of FY26 BudgetThe Finance Committee on Wednesday began a review of a fiscal year 2026 budget that would result in a 5.03 percent increase in the property tax levy from the year that ends on June 30.  Williamstown Expects Spike in Property Taxes in FY26No details were revealed about the town's fiscal year 2026 spending plan at Monday's joint meeting of the Select Board and Finance Committee. But it was apparent that FY26 budget will require a significant increase in the property tax levy in the year that begins July 1.  Williamstown Town Meeting Passes Progress Pride Flag Bylaw AmendmentThe most heavily debated article of the 40 that were addressed by the meeting was decided on a vote of 175-90, amending a flag bylaw passed at last year's town meeting. Same Place, New Day for Williamstown Town Meeting 2024The New England town meeting — steeped in tradition — has been far from traditional in the Village Beautiful over the last five years.  Williamstown Finance Committee Finishes Review of FY25 BudgetRepeatedly, Menicocci defended the town's practice, which predates his arrival, of conservative estimates for both revenue and expenses, a practice that has led to a healthy unreserved fund balance, or free cash, that is applied to subsequent years' budgets. Williamstown Fin Comm, Select Board Talk Need to Grow Tax BaseResidents carry a higher tax burden than people in surrounding towns, and the problem will only get worse unless the town sees more development. |
