Williamstown Select Board Meeting Summary – June 8

The Select Board's first meeting following the town election focused on board reorganization, routine approvals, and a discussion about the future of the former DPW site at 59 Water Street following the submission of a proposal from Williams College.

Board Reorganization

The Board elected new leadership for the coming year but has not yet updated the town website page dedicated to the Select Board:

• Peter Beck was elected Chair.
• Matt Neely was elected Vice Chair.
• Shayna Dixon was elected Secretary.
• Stephanie Boyd will represent the Board on the Community Preservation Committee (CPC).
• Nate Budington will serve as the Board's representative to the Affordable Housing Trust.

The Board deferred appointing a representative to the Berkshire regional planning organization until more information is available.

National Grid Pole Installation Approved

The Board held a public hearing and unanimously approved National Grid's request to install two new utility poles on Sweetbrook Road. The utility said the poles are needed to address low-hanging spans and improve electrical reliability.

Consent Agenda Items

The Board approved a series of routine items, including:

• Water and sewer warrants totaling approximately $233,241.
• Multiple one-day liquor license applications for local events.
• Scheduling future hearings for National Grid, Verizon, and a new liquor license application at The Orchards.
• Cemetery requests and other administrative matters.

Committee Reappointments

The Board approved a slate of reappointments to various town committees and commissions, including the Affordable Housing Trust, Agricultural Commission, Conservation Commission, Historical Commission, and others. Members thanked community volunteers for their continued service.

Sweet Hospitality License Surrender

The Board accepted the surrender of a liquor license held by Sweet Hospitality Group after plans to use the license no longer moved forward.

Possible Off-Site Strategic Planning Meeting

Board members discussed holding a future off-site meeting or retreat to discuss strategic priorities in a more informal setting. Members expressed interest in creating an environment better suited to long-term planning while still maintaining public access and transparency. In Massachusetts, select boards hold retreats as posted, public meetings typically to establish long-range goals, review town plans, and build team rapport. Because they are the town's governing body, these sessions must strictly adhere to the state’s Open Meeting Law, which requires advance public notice and transparent proceedings.

If you are interested in drilling down into the weeds of how Select Boards operate, you can learn more in the Massachusetts Select Board Handbook.

59 Water Street

The property at 59 Water Street—often called the "dirt lot" or the "old town garage site"—is a 1.27-acre parcel that served as Williamstown's DPW headquarters for decades. The town has owned the site since roughly 1905, and it has sat vacant since the DPW moved to Simonds Road.

The site has long been viewed as one of the town's most strategically important redevelopment opportunities because of its location between Spring Street, Water Street, and the commercial core.

Before the discussion began, new Select Board member Nate Budington disclosed that his wife works on the senior staff at Williams College. After consulting the state ethics commission, he reported that no conflict of interest existed, though he would file a disclosure addressing the appearance of a potential conflict.

Key points discussed included:

• The property has been town-owned since approximately 1905.
• It has been vacant since the Department of Public Works moved to Simonds Road in 1999.
• This is the fourth attempt by the town to seek proposals for redevelopment.
• Only one proposal was received in response to this RFP, submitted by Williams College.
• A review committee consisting of town staff and representatives from the Finance Committee and Planning Board evaluated the proposal and interviewed the college.

What Does Williams College Want To Do With the Site?

Williams is not proposing housing, retail, or mixed-use development. Instead, the college wants to use the site for:

• A new Facilities Services building (the department that handles maintenance and operations for the campus).
• A parking structure intended to support both college and community needs with approximately 170-200 parking spaces.
• Relocation of existing facilities functions currently located on Latham Street.

The proposal is tied to Williams' plans for an expanded athletics and recreation complex. Williams President Maud Mandel confirmed in the April 2026 Board of Trustees Meeting that the college's trustees approved pursuing the purchase of the property because the site is considered an essential "enabling project" for the athletics renewal plan. College documents describe a future "Athletics and Wellbeing Complex".

To make room for that project, Williams needs to relocate Facilities Services from its current location and the Water Street parcel is being proposed as the replacement site.

Why Is This Contentious?

The debate isn't really about whether the site should be developed. It is about what kind of development best serves Williamstown. Over the years, many residents and town officials have viewed the parcel as a rare potential opportunity for:

• Affordable housing
• Mixed-use development
• New tax-generating commercial activity
• Downtown economic development
• Potential government uses including community spaces

Local reporting notes that as recently as 2014 the town was actively considering affordable housing on the site and even undertook environmental remediation work in anticipation of redevelopment.

Supporters of the current proposal from Williams have stated:

• The property has been vacant for 27 years.
• This is the only proposal received.
• Williams can move a project forward relatively quickly.
• The proposal could improve a currently underutilized parcel and support future investment by the college.

Residents opposed to the proposal argue that:

• Williamstown already has a large percentage of land owned by tax-exempt entities.
• Future commercial or residential development could generate ongoing property tax revenue.
• The town should carefully evaluate the long-term fiscal implications before transferring another strategic parcel to a tax-exempt owner.

Detractors see the proposal as another example of Williams College expanding its footprint while community needs remain unmet. Their concern is not anti-college rather, they question whether:

• A maintenance facility and parking structure should occupy such a prominent site.
• Town-owned land should be used primarily to facilitate a college capital project.
• The town's redevelopment goals appear to be becoming secondary to institutional priorities.

What Happens Next?

Following public discussion during the meeting, the Select Board agreed to move forward with negotiations with Williams College regarding the potential sale and redevelopment of 59 Water Street. This does not constitute approval of the proposal or a final decision to sell the property. Rather, it allows the town to enter discussions with the college to better understand the terms of a possible agreement and determine whether a mutually acceptable deal can be reached.

During negotiations, the town is expected to explore issues including the property's value, proposed uses, potential community benefits, development constraints, and how the project would fit with broader community priorities such as housing, economic development, and downtown planning. Any final agreement would require further public consideration and action by the Select Board before a sale could occur.