Letter: Support Ken Kuttner for Planning Board

Letter to the Editor06:00PM / Sunday, May 08, 2022Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

We are so blessed to have two thoughtful, dedicated community members running for the open Planning Board seat. I'm writing to share my support for Ken Kuttner because of the vision and approach he will bring to the planning board at this time.

The Planning Board has proposed zoning changes that are meant to address the need for more inclusive housing in Williamstown, a need embraced by both candidates. In Ken's "meet the candidate" video (on his website along with a lot more about Ken), he does a great job of explaining that — while he supports the planning board proposals to increase density in general residence — there are better, more creative and more impactful ways to increase housing access in RR2, that include good planning principles such as cluster development, protection of open space, and avoiding sprawl.

Please read more about Ken and what he will bring to the planning board on his website, where you can also see his candidate statement and watch the League of Women Voters forum with both candidates. Whatever happens, I hope you will attend Town Meeting on May 17, and be part of the comprehensive plan process for creating and achieving an inclusive vision for our community.

And, don't forget to VOTE Tuesday, May 10, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Williamstown Elementary School gymnasium, 115 Church St.

Wendy Penner
Williamstown, Mass.

Tags: election 2022,

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Williamstown Select Board Plans Off-Camera Evaluation of Town Manager

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:24AM / Friday, October 09, 2026

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board plans to take extraordinary measures to avoid having its discussion of the town manager's performance recorded by the town's Public, Educational and Government cameras.

At its Sept. 28 meeting, the board decided to hold a special meeting in a room not covered by WilliNet cameras to complete its annual evaluation process of Town Manager Robert Menicocci.

Chair Peter Beck said that while the evaluation is "absolutely" to be conducted in an open meeting, the board could follow a process similar to the off site, unrecorded meetings that past Select Boards have characterized as "retreats," a term not contemplated by or included in the commonwealth's Open Meeting Law.

The current board met on June 29 for what it characterized as a "planning session" where no formal votes were taken. That meeting was held outside of Town Hall, at the new fire station on Main Street, in a room equipped with audio and video recording equipment that the Select Board chose not to use.

At the Sept. 28 meeting, one board member indicated that an unrecorded meeting was preferable to discuss the annual evaluation of the one town employee supervised by the board.

"I'd like to do it without all the Willinet stuff," Stephanie Boyd said in a discussion toward the end of a two-hour meeting. "I think it's more conducive to conversation."

With the board expected to meet just once in October — its "regular" meeting date coincides with Indigenous Peoples Day on Oct. 12 — Beck suggested that the panel could find a date for a special meeting, suggesting the third Monday of the month, Oct. 19.

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