Letter: Why I Support Shana Dixon for Williamstown Select Board

To the Editor:

As a former Select Board member (2015–2021), I am excited to see a new candidate, Shana Dixon, running for Select Board. After two terms on the board, I stepped aside to make room for new voices: I recognized the importance of not overstaying my time.

As a board "retiree," you can mentor new Select Board members without the risk of violating open meeting law; you can speak at public meetings, where your perspective is informed by your experience and service to the town; you can volunteer as a community member on committees such as the Affordable Housing Trust, DIRE, and CPC; and, you can continue to advocate at Town Hall for the issues you care about. It was clear to me that prolonged time on the board could begin to distort your perspective, inflate your sense of power, and cause you to lose touch with those outside your own bubble.

I am impressed by Shana Dixon, the current chair of the DIRE committee, who has not hesitated to step up for this community, while also operating her own small business and juggling life as a single mom of two young children. Working in property management (Shana owns and manages several short-term rental properties), Shana has a clear-eyed understanding of the challenges facing our community, especially the shortage of affordable housing, the obstacles to economic development, and the need for increased sustainability and climate action. Shana is down-to-earth, approachable, and funny. She has fresh energy and ideas to offer our town, and a desire to see our local government truly work for all residents. When she speaks of inclusive governance, she has the listening skills and lived experience to make it a reality. Shana is ready to hit the ground running and be a prepared and impactful member of the board this year.

I am excited to see Williamstown open its doors to a new perspective and new expertise on the Select Board. I hope you will join me in supporting Shana Dixon on Tuesday, May 13.

Anne C O'Connor
Williamstown, Mass. 

Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:04AM / Tuesday, June 09, 2026

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.

 

But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.

 

"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."

 

"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.

 

Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.

 

The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.

 

Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.