Selectmen reject Fox’s Water Street proposal

By Linda CarmanPrint Story | Email Story
WILLIAMSTOWN – The Selectmen turned down a proposal from developer Charles Fox and his architect, David Westall, to build a combination of shops and apartments at 59 Water St., the site of the old town garage. The board ruled on Monday that the proposal did not meet the project’s specifications. Fox submitted the only proposal for the site, seen as an important focus for Water Street, and he wanted the town to either give him the property or provide other support. Town Manager Peter Fohlin said the town would have had to offer the property to other developers on the same basis. Fohlin said that while Fox should be commended for submitting an interesting building, the proposal should be “withdrawn and rejected,” calling it “a friendly euthanasia.” “He didn’t answer the question. He didn’t give a full proposal,” Fohlin said. “He needed concessions from the town regarding the price of the land.” The Selectmen said they will wait, probably a year, until the Cable Mills conversion of the former Carol Cable building is completed, to issue another request for proposals in hopes that the conversion will spark more interest in development. Selectman Charles Schlesinger noted that Fox proposed to build condominiums rather than apartments, the same choice as Cable Mills. “I’d really like to see apartments in town,” Schlesinger said. Fohlin replied, “If you’re absolutely dead serious about apartments, give the land to the Housing Authority. Landlords don’t really see the demand for apartments. Even the Housing Authority has to break even.” Fohlin said he believes a building’s ownership could be structured to allow businesses to own their quarters while the Housing Authority owned and rented out apartments. Selectmen’s Chairman John Madden said he did not think that approach was the best way to provide affordable housing. Instead, Madden suggested the town opt for land such as the Lowry property off Stratton Road for that purpose. Selectwoman Jane Allen, who was elected chairwoman during the board’s reorganization later in the meeting, thanked Fox and Westall for “giving us a preliminary vision for the site.”
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Senior Golf Series Returns in September

Community submission
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The Berkshire County Fall Senior Golf series returns in September with events on five consecutive Wednesdays starting Sept. 18.
 
It is the 22nd year of the series, which is a fund-raiser for junior golf in the county, and it is open to players aged 50 and up.
 
The series will feature two divisions for each event based on the combined ages of the playing partners.
 
Golfers play from the white tees (or equivalent) with participants 70 and over or who have a handicap of more than 9 able to play from the forward tees.
 
Gross and net prices will be available in each division.
 
The cost is $55 per event and includes a round of golf, food and prizes. Carts are available for an additional fee.
 
Golfers should call the pro shop at the course for that week's event no sooner than two weeks before the event to register.
 
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