WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Prudential Committee on Wednesday evening will present the results of a study conducted by New Hampshire-based Municipal Resources Inc.
In a 7 p.m. session at Town Hall to be televised by WilliNet, representatives from MRI and the Williamstown Fire District will share the highlights of a 74-page report that looks at "the manner in which fire services are provided within the District, including a target hazard analysis, review of response metrics and a review of the current facility and apparatus."
The report goes into detail on a couple of issues that were raised by candidates in the recent special election to expand the Prudential Committee from three to five members: staffing and the need for a new fire station.
The three incumbents on the now five-member panel persuaded district voters a few years ago to acquire a Main Street parcel next door to the current Aubuchon Hardware with an eye toward building there a replacement to the district's cramped, outdated facility on Water Street.
The MRI report provides greater analysis to strengthen the argument for moving forward with that goal. And it ties the two issues together, saying that a new station should be built to allow for the possibility of augmentations to the current staffing, which uses call-volunteer firefighters who receive an hourly stipend for service time.
"MRI recommends that the Fire District continue to move forward with their efforts for the replacement of the Water Street Fire Station," the report reads. "MRI believes that the Maguire Group Feasibility Study dated December 22, 2008, still contains valid assessments and recommendations for a new fire station. Consideration of future needs beyond 10 years should be included in any future planning for a new facility. An example of this would be including dormitory rooms and office space should the district change over to a different staffing scenario."
Fire District Clerk/Treasurer Corydon Thurston said the Prudential Committee has not decided on its next steps to proceed, but one possible step could be issuing a request for proposals for design work on a new station.
"We're going to walk before we can run," Thurston said last week. "We're not going to jam it down people's throats. It would take six to eight months to get the RFPs out, get responses and have a committee to assess them."
In addition to finding that the Water Street station "no longer provides efficient and effective shelter for fire apparatus and equipment," MRI reached some sobering conclusions about the district's staffing.
"It is clear that the Department will be challenged meeting the expectations of the community, and if unchecked and in fact not quickly reversed, the Department will soon cease to be a viable emergency response organization providing consistent and equal levels of service," the report reads. "The Town of Williamstown has expressed a desire to retain a strong call firefighting force and MRI concurs, however, it may become necessary to introduce a different staffing model which will provide consistency in service delivered to the public. This will take a commitment from the Town, community, and strong leadership in the Fire District."
MRI suggested two possible staffing solutions: hiring two part-time firefighter/EMTs or per diem firefighters; or increasing the budget for "on-call personnel standby coverage during weekday hours, weekends, special events or during peak emergency call periods."
Municipal Resources Inc. was started 30 years ago by former municipal and state government managers. It has served clients in 14 states, including more than 100 municipalities in Massachusetts. Locally, it has served Cheshire, Lenox and West Stockbridge.
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Summer Street Residents Make Case to Williamstown Planning Board
By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Neighbors of a proposed subdivision off Summer Street last week asked the Planning Board to take a critical look at the project, which the residents say is out of scale to the neighborhood.
Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity was at Town Hall last Tuesday to present to the planners a preliminary plan to build five houses on a 1.75 acre lot currently owned by town's Affordable Housing Trust.
The subdivision includes the construction of a road from Summer Street onto the property to provide access to five new building lots of about a quarter-acre apiece.
Several residents addressed the board from the floor of the meeting to share their objections to the proposed subdivision.
"I support the mission of Habitat," Summer Street resident Christopher Bolton told the board. "There's been a lot of concern in the neighborhood. We had a neighborhood meeting [Monday] night, and about half the houses were represented.
"I'm impressed with the generosity of my neighbors wanting to contribute to help with the housing crisis in the town and enthusiastic about a Habitat house on that property or maybe two or even three, if that's the plan. … What I've heard is a lot of concern in the neighborhood about the scale of the development, that in a very small neighborhood of 23 houses, five houses, close together on a plot like this will change the character of the neighborhood dramatically."
Last week's presentation from NBHFH was just the beginning of a process that ultimately would include a definitive subdivision plan for an up or down vote from the board.
Neighbors of a proposed subdivision off Summer Street last week asked the Planning Board to take a critical look at the project, which the residents say is out of scale to the neighborhood. click for more
The Select Board and Planning Board this week clashed over a proposal that would add to the town charter a mechanism to ensure compliance with the foundation of town government. click for more
The Select Board has agreed to remove the town flag a year after town meeting established a bylaw restricting the use of flags on public property.
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Drainage was the chief concern of the residents who turned out for Wednesday's informational meeting about a planned five-home development off Summer Street. click for more