Letter: Waubeeka Important to All of Williamstown

To the Editor:

In the Tuesday, April 5, Eagle article, "Waubeeka owner plans to offer concessions," the writer seems to imply that opposition to Mr. Deep's Waubeeka proposal is only from "some members of the Planning Board and some residents of South Williamstown."

Opposition quoted was from "South Williamstown neighbors." With all due respect, Waubeeka is not just a South Williamstown issue. People from all parts of town are concerned with various aspects of the way Mr. Deep's initial proposal seems to have morphed into something quite different from the initial golf course with a "3 to 5 acre boutique country inn."

My own opposition lies primarily with the process by which this potentially far-reaching proposal is going through our town government. My understanding is that Mr. Deep thought his proposal was meeting with obstructionist opposition and sought recourse through taking the issue directly to town meeting. (The line is often fuzzy between obstructionism and due diligence.) Mr. Deep, through attorney [Stanley] Parese, has, of course, every right to submit a citizens' petition to town meeting, but I suggest that this method is a very imprudent way for the town to rezone any area of town.

Mr. Deep's proposal should go back to the Planning Board. The Planning Board has both authority and responsibility to be the first board in line to thoroughly vet planning issues. Anyone who has served on any town board can attest that members are expected to familiarize themselves with a great body of specialized knowledge and to adhere to meeting procedures that promote civil discourse. Their recommendations ought to be seriously considered by those of us who sit on the sidelines.

Donna Wied
Williamstown, Mass.

Former member of:
Williamstown Cable Advisory Committee,
Williamstown Planning Board, and
Williamstown Elementary School Committee

Williamstown Fire Committee Talks Station Project Cuts, Truck Replacement

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:17AM / Friday, April 26, 2024

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Prudential Committee on Wednesday signed off on more than $1 million in cost cutting measures for the planned Main Street fire station.

 

Some of the "value engineering" changes are cosmetic, while at least one pushes off a planned expense into the future.

 

The committee, which oversees the Fire District, also made plans to hold meetings over the next two Wednesdays to finalize its fiscal year 2025 budget request and other warrant articles for the May 28 annual district meeting. One of those warrant articles could include a request for a new mini rescue truck.

 

The value engineering changes to the building project originated with the district's Building Committee, which asked the Prudential Committee to review and sign off.

 

In all, the cuts approved on Wednesday are estimated to trim $1.135 million off the project's price tag.

 

The biggest ticket items included $250,000 to simplify the exterior masonry, $200,000 to eliminate a side yard shed, $150,000 to switch from a metal roof to asphalt shingles and $75,000 to "white box" certain areas on the second floor of the planned building.

 

The white boxing means the interior spaces will be built but not finished. So instead of dividing a large space into six bunk rooms and installing two restrooms on the second floor, that space will be left empty and unframed for now.