The Week Ahead April 12-18th

It has been a long, cold, and challenging winter for the cool cats here but the defrost and appearance of the sun this week has us back to work. Thanks so much for your patience and sticking with us as we come out of hibernation.

We spent some time searching through the new town website to find the location of the 2026 Election Calendar (oddly not found at the highlighted graphic link from the homepage called "Election Calendar 2026" which takes you to the Board Directory page) and pulled out some important information to include in this week ahead update.

So in addition to the usual run down of the meetings happening this week, we wanted you to get ready for the upcoming elections happening Tuesday, May 12 from 7:00am to 8:00pm and Town Meeting this Spring happening Tuesday, May 19 starting at 7:00pm. Make your plans to vote and have your voice heard!

Monday, April 13th:

1. Select Board signs the Annual Town Meeting warrant. If you aren't familiar with this form of town government, a "Massachusetts town warrant is the official agenda and legal notice for a town meeting, listing all articles to be voted on regarding bylaws, budgets, and expenditures. Prepared by the Select Board, they must be signed and posted at least seven days before an annual meeting (14 days for special meetings)." Source https://www.mass.gov/info-details/ask-dls-drafting-articles-for-town-meeting-warrants
2. Select Board meeting 7:00pm. This meeting of the Williamstown Select Board will be conducted live at Town Hall and via Zoom. It will also stream live on willinet.org & broadcast live on Willinet’s Spectrum cable TV channel 1303. The agenda can be found here and the meeting packet materials (including the draft of the 2026 Town Warrant) can be found here.

Tuesday, April 14th:

1. Planning Board Meeting 7:00pm live at Town Hall and via Zoom. The Planning Board is involved with developing planning policy on a wide range of planning issues including: land use, environmental, economic development, housing, transportation and open space. The meeting agenda can be found here and the meeting packet materials here.
2. Candidate statements for the May 12th elections should start to happen today and tomorrow. These are typically available through Willinet.

Wednesday, April 15th

1. Town Meeting warrant goes to printer.
2. Hoosac Water Quality District meeting will be held at 4:00pm at 667 Simonds Road Williamstown. The meeting agenda includes an update of the compost disposal issue and the 2027 budget draft.
3. Affordable Housing Trust meeting 6:00pm. This is a hybrid meeting - In Person at 31 North St, Williamstown & Zoom with Streaming live on willinet.org and broadcast on Spectrum Cable Channel 1303. At the time of this writing the link on the Town Website for the meeting agenda and packet was not working.

Thursday, April 16th

1. WFD Finance Committee Meeting 4:30pm. While the new Firehouse is open we do not think the location of this meeting will be there since the WFD website says the Department will begin operating out of their new station at 580 Main St. starting Saturday, March 21. The Finance Committee reports to Prudential Committee and is charged with responsibility for the operation and fiscal oversight of the district. Its five members are appointed by the Prudential Committee.
2. Zoning Board of Appeals 7:00pm hybrid meeting at 31 North Street and Zoom with live streaming on willinet.org and Broadcast Live on Spectrum TV Channel 1303.