North Berkshire Community Contra Dance

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — North Berkshire Community Dance will hold its monthly contra dance on Saturday, May 9.  
 
The caller, Fern Bradley, will teach every dance to live traditional fiddle music by four talented local musicians led by Eric Buddington.
 
Contra dancing is the contemporary face of a living tradition; some of the dances are hundreds of years old, some are recently composed. Everyone is welcome. New dancers and families with children are encouraged to arrive at 7:15 for an introductory lesson. Come with or without a partner; most people change partners for each dance throughout the evening.
 
Fern Bradley will lead the evening activities.  Fern calls regularly for community dances of all sorts and sizes – so please feel welcome whatever your experience level. Come with friends, new or old!  Or come by yourself – contra dances are a great place to meet your neighbors thru a fun activity.
 
The music will be provided by Eric Buddington and Todd Reynolds on fiddle, Seamus Connor on guitar and mandolin, and Drew Zuckerman on bass.
 
The dance will run 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the Community Hall of the First Congregational Church, 906 Main St., Williamstown. Admission is pay-as-you-can, $12 - $20 suggested, and barter (especially help with cleanup) is also welcome.  Visit www.NorthBerkshireDance.org for more information.
 
Optional: come to the pre-dance calling playgroup, 2 - 4PM at Goodrich Hall, 863 Main Street. 
 
Respiratory Illness Policy: Please stay home if you feel ill or have cold symptoms. Masks appreciated but not required. 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff

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.
 
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