Williamstown Adds Two to Economic Development Committee
 Williamstown Board of Selectman Vice Chairwoman Jane Patton addresses attorney Jamie Art at Friday's special meeting. |
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Board of Selectmen on Friday added two names to its Economic Development Committee, bringing the total number of appointees to 12.
The owners of Tsubo Massage and Harsch Real Estate will join the 10 previously named committee members when the panel meets for the first time next month.
In a special Friday afternoon meeting, Selectwoman Jane Patton reported to her colleagues that Molly Kerns of Tsubo had accepted the board's invitation to serve on the committee, which will be charged with developing an economic development plan over the next year.
Realtor Paul Harsch, who approached the board at its Monday meeting with a request to serve, was appointed on Friday in the same motion that named Kerns.
The board also discussed adding a representative from the Planning Board but decided against it, for now.
"I didn't feel the need to reserve a seat for any town board," said Selectman Andy Hogeland, who initiated the committee along with Hugh Daley. "If we reserve a seat for one, there are at least three more we could consider.
"When agenda items come up that are relevant to Planning Board issues, we can ask them all to come. … Having served with two of the people on the Planning Board, I think they'd be highly motivated to come."
Hogeland and Daley both are serving on the Economic Development Committee.
With 12 members in all, the EDC will need at least seven members to attend meetings in order to conduct business. In appointing the largest committee in town, the Selectmen already are concerned about the possibility of a quorum problem.
But they also reiterated on Friday that the committee could grow if its members decide that they need another voice.
"That need may outweigh potential quorum issues," Selectwoman Jane Patton said.
The board met on Friday to sign a historic preservation restriction on the former Cable Mills property. The signatures were needed to allow developer Mitchell Properties to move forward with financing on the renovation of the mill buildings into apartments.
Attorney Jamie Art explained to the board that after the restrictions were signed by selectmen and the town's Historical Commission, which met immediately after the Selectmen, he would overnight them to Boston for final signatures from the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
The commonwealth then will return original signed copies to be filed with the Registry of Deeds.
Mitchell needs three separate town-approved restrictions — for open space, historic preservation and affordable housing — thanks to the $1.5 million in Community Preservation Act funds committed to the project.
Art said Friday that both the Department of Housing and Community Development and Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs are close to final approval of the housing and open space restrictions, respectively.
The board decided to set a Wednesday, 2 p.m., meeting to sign other restrictions it needs to re-sign after revisions from Boston. Mitchell Properties is hoping to close on its financing by the end of next week or Dec. 22, Art said.
"You have no idea the patience and effort Jamie [Art] has expended on this issue in the last few weeks," Town Manager Peter Fohlin told the Selectmen. "I've spared you most of the back-and-forth between he and I, and I've just been reading. I haven't been doing the lifting."
Tags: ad hoc committee, appointments, economic development,
