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Williamstown Youth Center Clears First Permitting Hurdle

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — A new Youth Center took another step forward Monday night when it received its first approval through the Planning Board.


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The plans reached the board Monday night for a functional equivalency determination on whether the plans fit subdivision access regulations.


The center is set to be built on Elementary School land and though not technically a subdivision, the plans must still meet those requirements, Planning Board Chairman Pat Dunlavey said.

"Because they are building two buildings on the same land it has to comply as if it [was] two lots," Dunlavey said on Tuesday. "There was some discussion about drainage."

The plans show drainage toward Church Street in the same way water is currently drained. Before the new Elementary School was built, water ran off toward School Street.

While the board said they wished the developers analyzed restoring the drainage toward School Street, it is not in their purview to demand it.

The board unanimously agreed that the plans fit the regulations. Youth Center officials will face the Zoning Board of Appeals next Thursday, when Youth Center officials will seek a special permit.

Youth Center officials hope to break ground in October.
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Williams Student Dies in Skiing Accident

 WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — A Williams College student died Tuesday following a skiing accident at Jiminy Peak Ski Resort. 
 
 Alex Kemp, 19, of Lincroft, N.J., was pronounced dead at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, where he was taken after suffering head trauma at the Hancock ski resort on Monday, according to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. 
 
Kemp had apparently gone over an embankment on the left side of the Cutter Trail when descending the mountain. The call was made to 911 dispatch at about 2:39 p.m. reporting a skier had sustained injuries on the slope. 
 
Jiminy Peak Ski Patrol was immediately dispatched to the scene. Northern Berkshire EMS arrived shortly thereafter to administer life-saving measures. The victim was transported to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield before being transferred to Baystate for further care.
 
There is no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved in the incident. The victim was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
 
The State Police Detective Unit assigned to the DA's Office is overseeing the investigation. Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort has cooperated throughout the investigation, according to authorities.
 
Kemp was a member of the college's cross country team and had graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in New Jersey last spring.
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