Letter: Kuttner for Planning Board

Letter to the EditorPrint Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

Ken Kuttner will make a wonderful addition to the Williamstown Planning Board.

The goals of preserving land and creating housing for people of all incomes do not need to be mutually exclusive. And yet some of the changes to the zoning bylaws that the Planning Board has put forth as a means of increasing affordable housing could radically alter the landscape of Williamstown and fail to lead to more affordable housing.

A good, smart planner like Ken Kuttner, a candidate for Planning Board, understands that a well-planned town protects its natural environment and farmland, while also providing housing for people of all incomes. We would all be well served by having such an intelligent and informed voice on the board.

Amy Herring
Williamstown, Mass.

 

 


Tags: election 2022,   


Share
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Williamstown Charter Review Panel OKs Fix to Address 'Separation of Powers' Concern

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Charter Review Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to endorse an amended version of the compliance provision it drafted to be added to the Town Charter.
 
The committee accepted language designed to meet concerns raised by the Planning Board about separation of powers under the charter.
 
The committee's original compliance language — Article 32 on the annual town meeting warrant — would have made the Select Board responsible for determining a remedy if any other town board or committee violated the charter.
 
The Planning Board objected to that notion, pointing out that it would give one elected body in town some authority over another.
 
On Wednesday, Charter Review Committee co-Chairs Andrew Hogeland and Jeffrey Johnson, both members of the Select Board, brought their colleagues amended language that, in essence, gives authority to enforce charter compliance by a board to its appointing authority.
 
For example, the Select Board would have authority to determine a remedy if, say, the Community Preservation Committee somehow violated the charter. And the voters, who elect the Planning Board, would have ultimate say if that body violates the charter.
 
In reality, the charter says very little about what town boards and committees — other than the Select Board — can or cannot do, and the powers of bodies like the Planning Board are regulated by state law.
 
View Full Story

More Williamstown Stories

Community News
image description

New Williamstown Charter Review Panel OKs Fix to Address 'Separation...

Community News
Community News
image description

Williamstown Housing Trust Commits $80K to Support Cable Mills...

Community News
Community News
image description

Williams College Receives Anonymous $25M Gift to Support Projects...

Community News
Community News
image description

Williamstown Select Board Talks Dog Park, Short-Term Rentals

Community News
Community News
image description

Summer Street Residents Make Case to Williamstown Planning Board

Community News
Schools
image description

Edgerton Taking Part-Time Role at Mount Greylock

Schools
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?