Letter: Support Ken Kuttner for Planning Board

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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's Cost Rising for Emergency Bank Restoration

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The cost to stabilize the bank of the Hoosic River near a town landfill continues to rise, and the town is still waiting on the commonwealth's blessing to get to work.
 
Department of Public Works Director Craig Clough was before the Finance Committee on Wednesday to share that, unlike the town hoped, the emergency stabilization work will require bringing in a contractor — and that is before a multimillion dollar project to provide a long-term solution for the site near Williams College's Cole Field.
 
"I literally got the plans last Friday, and it's not something we'll be able to do in-house," Clough told the committee. "They're talking about a cofferdam of a few hundred feet, dry-pumping everything out and then working along the river. That's something that will be beyond our manpower to do, our people power, and the equipment we have will not be able to handle it."
 
Clough explained that the cofferdam is similar to the work done on the river near the State Road (Route 2) bridge on the west side of North Adams near West Package and Variety Stores.
 
"We don't know the exact numbers yet of an estimate," Clough said. "The initial thought was $600,000 a few months ago. Now, knowing what the plans are, the costs are going to be higher. They did not think there was going to need to be a coffer dam put in [in the original estimate]."
 
The draft capital budget of $592,500 before the Fin Comm includes $500,000 toward the riverbank stabilization project.
 
The town's finance director told the committee he anticipates having about $700,000 in free cash (technically the "unreserved fund balance") to spend in fiscal year 2027 once that number is certified by the Department of Revenue in Boston.
 
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