Williamstown's Town Flag a Topic of DiscussionThere are only two known copies of the flag in existence: one at the State House and one in the meeting room on the first floor at Town Hall. Williamstown Diversity Panel Talks About Raising Profile of MLK Holiday in TownThe Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Equity Committee talked about how Martin Luther King Jr. Day could have greater recognition in the town. Williamstown Select Board Discusses Climate, Diversity PlansThe Select Board on Monday heard presentations on work the town can do locally to address two of the most intractable global issues facing the nation: climate change and systemic racism. Williamstown's DIRE Committee Critical of Mount Greylock FY24 BudgetMembers of the town's diversity committee Monday criticized Mount Greylock Regional School District officials for pulling a district-wide director of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging out of the fiscal year 2024 budget. Pittsfield City Council Tackles Diversity Referrals, Thrift Shop LicenseWhile a large portion of the conversation was centered around Councilor Karen Kalinowsky's attempt to place a question on the Nov. 7 ballot about the reconfiguration of North Street, there were several referrals and a Pawnbrokers and Secondhand Dealers License approval for a new second-hand shop. Brien Center Coping with Staffing ShortagesThese days, the mental health center wants those residents to respond to a "help wanted" sign. Williamstown's DIRE Committee Discusses How to Deal with 'Article 37 Reports'According to Article 37, which passed overwhelmingly at the meeting, those reports, "should include types and vendors of equity training and policies and procedures created to advance access for traditionally under-represented groups." Williamstown Select Board Finalizes Charge for Town's Diversity CommitteeAlthough the Select Board had the authority to unilaterally change the charter for a body it created in the summer of 2020, the board engaged in a dialogue with its colleagues currently serving on the DIRE Committee to find language that made sense to all parties. Williamstown DIRE Committee to Consider 'Purpose' DocumentFippinger said he felt strongly that the working group should "sign off on it not in public," before a new draft was discussed by the committee in a public meeting. Williamstown's DIRE Committee Questions Need for New PurposeThe Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Equity Committee has been engaged with the Select Board throughout the summer in a discussion of the purpose and direction for the advisory panel the Select Board created two years ago. |