Board Game Lets Players Buy Up Williamstown

Williamstownopoly, with the landscape of Green River Farms on its cover, gives players a chance to purchase all of their favorite town hangouts.

WILLIAMSTOWN – Go directly to the Williamstown Police Department. Do not pass Al's Auto Body Works. Do not collect $200.

Williamstownopoly, a hometown version of everyone’s favorite entrepreneurial board game, has arrived. Created by parents of Williamstown Elementary School pupils, nearly 700 games are on sale to benefit the sixth-grade field trip to Cape Cod in May.

According to the committee that designed the board and is running the fundraiser, Williamstownopoly has something for everyone, proudly displaying spaces for popular businesses like the Water Street Grille and Where'd You Get That?! as well as attractions like the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute and Green River Farms.

"It's the millennium edition that really talks. It represents a snapshot of Williamstown and its fun," said Gail Bouknight-Davis, one of the parents who helped develop the game.

<L2>The board, complete with pictures of some of the Village Beautiful's most notable landmarks and prominently featuring Williams College's inescapable purple cow, is a gift and keepsake for town residents, college alumni and even the children who are poised to benefit from its creation.

"This is a fundraiser really out of the norm and it's something that everyone can be proud of," said Pamela Shea, another one of the committee's parents.

Though a similar town-themed board game was created nearly 20 years ago, Bouknight-Davis said the Pittsfield-based version, Pittsfieldopoly, inspired the five-member committee to bring what they call "a one-of-a-kind treasure" to residents.

"This was just a wonderful idea," said Shea.

Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:04AM / Tuesday, June 09, 2026

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.

 

But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.

 

"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."

 

"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.

 

Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.

 

The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.

 

Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.