WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday breezed through a short public agenda before adjourning to executive session to discuss the transfer of 59 Water St., the former town garage site.

 

The stated purpose of the closed-door session was that an open discussion of the site, "may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position," of the board.

 

It just is not clear with whom the board is negotiating.

 

The town received one response to its request for proposals to develop the long-vacant lot. Williams College is proposing to relocate its facilities offices to the site that long was used as an unofficial parking lot before the town curtailed that use in 2024.

 

According to the RFP, the Select Board is the body that will evaluate the proposal and decide whether to proceed with a transfer to the college. That evaluation and decision-making process should be conducted in public.

 

To date, the board has not discussed the Williams offer in public session, let alone reached a decision on whether to negotiate with the college, the next step outlined in the RFP.

 

Asked about the planned executive session in advance of Monday's meeting, Chair Stephanie Boyd said the board cleared its plan in advance with town counsel to make sure the discussion would be in compliance with the Open Meeting Law.