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Did the minutes for the last meeting which were approved without discussion or amendment include the now infamous, "I kill you!" quote?
from: Wondering	on: 04-27-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

The Proposition 2 and 1/2 Overrides were voted on by the Selectmen as their previous meeting. They are the only ones that can place an override on the ballot by voting to do so. See: http://www.mass.gov/Ador/docs/dls/publ/misc/prop2.pdf Once an override issue is on the ballot, it is ILLEGAL for a local official (read Selectman) to use public resources such as facilities (where the meeting was held) to promote or oppose the question. The law was clearly broken last night at the Selectmen's meeting. Speaking favorably of the overrides last evening in the Selectmen's Room in the Town Hall was ILLEGAL! No one cares? read pages 7 and 8 of the printed guide. Editor: The guide specifically refers to conduct, not speech, but does note: "Thus, while local officials can take a position on an override or exclusion question and speak in favor of or in opposition to it, they cannot spend public funds or use public resources, such as personnel, supplies and facilities, to promote or oppose the question." Are you saying re-iterating a previously stated position at a duly held Selectmen's meeting would be considered "spending" public resources?
from: Ethics 101	on: 04-27-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

i have a way too save the tax payers of williamstown,,let start with D.P.W.and CEMENTARY workers,,i see D.P.W. worker over in pownal at stewarts,and winchesters dont you think thats costing the town a lot of fuel,,i know there do a break,,but too go to pownal,vt. for a pack of cigarettes,(little blue truck)or riding around or sitting in a truck on a raining day,the cementary worker start at 730am to 4pm i see them down in the old part at taking a break till they go home,,,,,and what about these guy taking town trucks home,,to north adams,and cheshire that a lot of wear and tear and fuel
from: sam	on: 04-27-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

We are talking about the ballot or election which precedes Town meeting. Once it is on the ballot - vote is made to put it on the ballot, all these ethics rules kick in. A Selectmen cannot use Town Hall as a staging ground and bully pulpit to promote a yes or no vote on the ballot issue. The chair even promised to do this again next week! iBerkshires: why not call the State offices and get their opinion? 1-617-727-8352 begin_of_the_skype_highlightingÃ‚Â Ã‚Â Ã‚ Â Ã‚Â Ã‚Â Ã‚Â Ã‚Â Ã‚Â Ã‚Â Ã‚Â Ã‚Â Ã‚Â Ã‚Â Ã‚Â 1-617-727-8352Ã‚Â Ã‚Â Ã‚Â Ã‚Â Ã‚Â Ã‚Â end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Could be a good story! 1-617-727-2828. Editor: Why didn't you call? OK, I did. Preliminary call to DOR, Division of Local Services says no violation - unless they're sending home fliers with kids. The Selectmen have the right to an opinion and to discuss whatever they want at their meetings. That's it so far. Second call to the Office of Campaign and Political Finance also says no violation. The Selectmen can state their opinion at their own meetings; the public can also state their opinions at the Selectmen's during citizen comments. So equal access is allowed. If officials use resources such as computers and copiers, that's a no-no. But anyone can stand on town property with a sign for anything.
from: Ethics 101	on: 04-27-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Thanks for making the calls. I called yesterday, but no answer. I had always believed one could not use Town property to promote one's beliefs. Unless there was some misunderstanding at the state level, I stand corrected. Editor: You absolutely can use town property to state your beliefs - although government entities may impose certain restrictions. People hold protests and vigils all the time in public spaces like Field Park and Park Square.
from: Ethics 101	on: 04-28-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Williamstown Board of Health Gets Update on 330 Cole Ave.

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:46AM / Monday, August 24, 2026

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Board of Health last Monday saw evidence supporting a tenant's complaint about ventilation issues at their 330 Cole Ave. residence.

Health Inspector Ruth Russell shared with the board a three-page memo outlining her department's actions since receiving a complaint from the occupant of Unit D6 at the property managed by Pittsfield's Hearthway Inc.

The memo outlined seven inspections that Health Inspector Ruth Russell has conducted at the unit since the complaint was received on March 10 of this year. On March 20, after her initial inspection, Russell cited five violations of the state sanitary code related to moisture in the unity.

Her Monday report also included photos taken during the most recent inspection of the unit's bathroom ventilation system on Aug. 3.

As recently as July 21, Hearthway's director of real estate development told Russell, "The fans in this unit have been checked multiple times by staff and contractors and found to be operating the same as in all other apartments," according to the Aug. 17 memo.

On July 24, Russell inspected the unit with a representative from the Berkshire Public Health Alliance after the occupant reported that the shower was used several hours before and, despite having the window open and the ventilator fan running, moisture was still present.

"Use of a vane anemometer in the bathroom demonstrated that there is insufficient flow going through the vent," Russell reported.

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