Williamstown's ABC Clothing Shop Invites Grant Applications

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The ABC Clothing Shop at 30 Spring St. distributes the profits from its sale of gently used high quality clothing twice a year to charitable causes that contribute to the well-being of the community.
 
The deadline for spring grant applications is March 1, 2025 and community organizations that meet the grant criteria are invited to apply for grants of up to $5000. 
 
Interested agencies will find the simple application and funding criteria available online at abcclothingshop.org/grants. While helping the environment by recycling, ABC funds local charitable organizations that serve youth and families at risk and address hunger, poverty, and inequality in our communities. 

ABC Clothing Shop has been making grants to community organizations since 2015.  Recent recipients include: 18 Degrees, Berkshire Food Project, Berkshire Immigration Center, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Louison House, North County Work Program, Remedy Hall, ROOTS TeenCenter, and more. 

For more information email abcclothingsale413@gmail.com. 
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Williamstown Fire District Expects Slightly Lower Tax Rate

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — A rise in operating expenses for the Williamstown Fire Department will be offset by lower debt service payments on the new fire station, resulting in a slightly smaller tax bill from the district, officials noted last week.
 
One week after the Prudential Committee, which oversees the district, reviewed the fiscal articles it will send to May's annual district meeting, the fire chief explained that while operational funding is up by by nearly $125,000 from the current fiscal year to FY27, a drop in principal and interest payments will make up the difference.
 
Currently, the tax rate for the district — a separate taxing entity apart from town government — is projected to be $1.15 per $1,000 of valuation in the fiscal year that begins on July 1. The current rate is $1.24.
 
In FY26, district taxpayers paid $1.9 million toward principal and interest for the Main Street fire station. The draft warrant for the May 26 annual district meeting calls for $1.7 million to be raised for that capital expense, a drop of just more than $198,000.
 
"The impact of the new debt and, indeed, the entire budget is offset by certain revenue items, particularly the $5.5 million in gifts from Williams College and the Clark [Art Institute]," Chief Jeffrey Dias wrote in an email discussing the proposed budget.
 
The $500,000 pledge from the Clark and the $5 million donated by Williams College are being utilized at the start of the payback period for the bonds that fund the station's construction — when those payments are higher.
 
Melissa Cragg, chair of the Fire District's Finance Committee, explained that the use of those gifts early in the process will not necessarily mean a sticker shock down the road.
 
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