Williamstown's debate over affordable housing, conserved land and farming
In the
beginning
On Aug. 28, 2011, Tropical Storm Irene caused the Hoosic River to overflow its banks and flood the Spruces Mobile Home Park, causing the loss of more than 150 homes, or two-thirds of the park.
Williamstown in 2002 agreed on a master plan that spoke to the need for more affordable housing. It identified a deficit of 164; the town has added 8 units since then but lost 150.
Spruces founder Al Bachand saw the park as a community, or little village, for retirees. Over the years, the park became an attractive option for those over age 55 on fixed incomes as housing prices and rents in Williamstown rose around them.
Housing advocates and local church groups sought to help the residents and seek new opportunities for affordable housing.
The town and Spruces residents have had issues with park owner Morgan Management. It began with debates over rents and, after Irene, lawsuits against the town and attorney general.
Morgan agreed to sell the property for $600,000, at a loss, to the town and drop the lawsuit.
It identifies flooding at the Spruces as the town's No. 1 hazard.
It does not indicate where the residents would be moved other than "All residents will be relocated to decent, safe and sanitary dwellings."
Two options are provided:
• Completely redoing all infrastructure and jacking up or rebuilding all units above the floodline at a cost of $10.9 million.
• Construct a levee and a pumping system at a cost of $15.5 million.
Land Options
for Housing
There are four prime spots under consideration. Two are brownfields, two are farmland.
Lowry land,
Stratton Road
Town garage,
Water Street
The Affordable Housing Committee has been seeking appropriate locations for housing. While the Lowry land, originally purchased as a potential site for Mount Greylock Regional High School, is considered ideal, other locations under the town's control have not been ruled out.Higher Ground is also seeking ways to expand housing for seniors.
Lowry was purchased in 1956 for $29,000; Burbank was deeded to the town; Photech was taken for back taxes.
Photech Mill,
Cole Avenue
Burbank Farm,
Luce Road
The Planning Board suggested in 2010 plans for developing the town garage site, but geared toward a more affluent clientele.
Voters will be faced with articles dealing with land & housing on April 24 and May 21.
Updates on other debate details:
The Army Corps of Engineers has rejected a request to study or involve itself in a project to alleviate flooding at the Spruces in part because the land is privately owned.
A number of residents have argued that since the Lowry land was voted by two-thirds vote to the Conservation Commission's purview in 1987, a similar vote is required to take it out. Town counsel's opinion is that the land was originally purchased for a high school, therefore it does not fall under the relevant state conservation law (Article 97) and does not require a two-thirds vote to be taken out of conservation.
Stratton Hills Condominium Association has provided a competing legal opinion that Lowry does fall under Article 97.
WilliNet hosted a sometimes emotional community conversation on land versus housing. Read our story here and/or watch the two-hour event.
Putting it to a Vote
A group of citizens succeed in garnering 312 signatures to call for a special town meeting on April 24 to vote on whether to keep the 30-acre Lowry property undeveloped. The Selectmen offer a competing article directing 10.5 acres be used for affordable housing, with the balance conserved.
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Pittsfield Parade Committee Picks Theme, Elects New Leadership
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Parade Committee, during its Annual Meeting in November, chose the theme "Young at Heart" for this year's Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade.
While holding its annual elections for the Board of Directors, the committee elected Pittsfield Downtown Inc. Director Rebecca Brien President, officially replacing longtime Director Pete Marchetti.
"The parade brings people of all ages together for a celebration of country and patriotism," Brien said. "This year's focus or theme, as with previous years, is on a segment of the whole or on the younger members of our community or those who simply feel young at heart."
The theme is typically used as a guide by float designers and musical groups participating in the line of march.
Marchetti is just entering his second full year as Mayor of Pittsfield following two decades as Director of the parade organization and coordinator of the Fourth of July Parade. Brien spent the past year as interim co-coordinator of the parade with Kristine Rose.
Elections also saw the re-election of the following members to the board: City Council President Pete White as well as Esther Anderson, and Chuck Gianatasio. Other members of the Board: Vice President Dick Murphy, Treasurer Tom Ryan, Secretary Patrick Kelly, Jill Gianatasio, April White, Weslia Wheeler, Ken Wheeler, Claudia White, and Peter Marchetti.
The committee invites members of the community to join and participate in the decision-making and on the day of the parade as the individual units are delivered into the parade's line of march on time and in order from the various holding streets just south of Pittsfield's Park Square intersection.
Ashlyn Lesure scored 18 points, and Regan Shea and Emma Meczywor added 15 and 11, respectively, as the Hurricanes successfully defended their 2024 state crown and won the program’s fourth state title in a run that has seen Hoosac Valley go to the state final nine times since 2014. click for more
Pittsfield High's Matt Dupuis and Lee's Devyn Fillio Sunday won the boys and girls individual high school bowling State Championships at Spare Time.
click for more
While holding its annual elections for the Board of Directors, the committee elected Pittsfield Downtown Inc. Director Rebecca Brien President, officially replacing longtime Director Pete Marchetti. click for more
Capped by Sam St. Peter’s come-from-behind win in the final bout of the day to win the 285 crown, the Spartans placed second at the Western Massachusetts Division 3 Championships at Mount Greylock. click for more
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