Letter: Sometimes It Is Best Not to Tinker With Tradition

To the Editor:

Williamstown has a long-standing tradition of displaying American flags on utility poles along the town green (Route 2) from Memorial Day through Veterans Day. At the last Williamstown Select Board meeting, there was a 4-1 vote to replace every fourth American Flag with a Progress Pride (rainbow) flag during the month of June.

Was there any indication in the Select Board meeting packet or the posted agenda that this potentially controversial topic would be discussed, even voted upon? The Open Meeting Law requires that the public have timely notice of anticipated topics and ample opportunity to comment. If not appropriately posted, only "emergencies" are permitted and must be defended as such if requested. Was this an emergency? Were the legal obligations of the Open Meeting Law met?

Furthermore, Statements of American Flag Protocol specify that the American flag is to be the prime focus of any flag display. There are few exceptions to this rule, and they are clearly stated in the protocol. Does the current Select Board plan pass protocol muster?

Memorial Day is a national holiday, with most cities and towns crafting their own unique traditions and celebrations. Its primary intended meaning was and is to honor those who perished in service to our country. It has taken on the meaning of offering comfort and support to family and friends who have lost someone to death. It is usually celebrated in a respectful — almost religious — manner. Will the Select Board's decision to replace our American flag with a flag underscoring any other cause diminish the intended solemnity of Memorial Day?

Donna Wied
Williamstown, Mass.

Williams College Lone Suitor for Development of Water Street Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
11:15AM / Thursday, April 16, 2026

Williams College hopes to replace the current Facilities Services building on Latham Street and use that space for a new  athletics complex. 

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — If the town accepts an offer from Williams College, a 1.27-acre lot that long has been eyed as a possible venue for housing and economic development instead will find a use similar to its history.

 

The college was the lone respondent to the town's request for proposals to purchase and develop 59 Water St., a dirt lot known around town as the "old town garage site." This was first reported Wednesday by Greylock News. 

 

If successful, the college plans to use the former town garage property for the school's Facilities Services building. Or it could be turned back into a parking lot.

 

Williams' offer includes a $500,000 upfront payment and a 10-year agreement to make $50,000 annual donations to the Mount Greylock Regional School District according to the proposal unsealed on Wednesday afternoon.

 

If it closes the deal, the college said it will explore development of a three- to four-story Facilities Services building with "a structured parking facility providing approximately 170 spaces."

 

"[I]f site constraints impact our ability to develop both structured parking and the Facilities Services building, our backup proposal is to develop the parking structure with approximately 170 spaces, also with capacity to support institutional and public needs," the college's proposal reads.

 

The college's current Facilities property at 60 Latham St. has an assessed value — for the .42-acre lot only — of $113,000 and an annual property tax bill of $1,606, according to the town's website.