Board Reviews Pole Plan, Tax Credit, and Committee Changes

July 28 Meeting Recap: National Grid Delay, READI Committee Updates, and Senior Tax Relief Discussion

The Williamstown Select Board met Monday evening with Peter Beck, Shana Dixon, and Stephanie Boyd in person; Jeff Johnson joined via Zoom. Town Manager Bob Menicocci was also present. Matthew Neely was absent. The meeting covered infrastructure, tax policy, and committee structure. Here's what happened:

National Grid Pole Proposal Delayed

National Grid requested approval to install five utility poles on Torrey Woods Road to serve a new residence. One pole would be located directly in front of 150 Torrey Woods, raising concerns from property owners Kristy Edmunds and Ros Warby about tree removal and visual impact.

The Board postponed the decision to August 11 and asked National Grid to:

• Explore alternative layouts
• Provide updated visuals and an arborist report
• Clarify any wetlands impacts
• Reach out to affected neighbors

Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit Review

The Board reviewed the local implementation of the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit, which helps reduce property taxes for income-qualified seniors. Williamstown previously approved a 50% local match, but this year’s rate is still under consideration. A vote on updated language is expected on August 11.

A key concern is avoiding the “seesaw effect”—an unintended interaction between the state and local benefits:

• The state credit has a cap. Once a senior reaches it, the state stops reimbursing.
• A high local match can push residents past that cap, shifting the cost to the town.
• A low match may not provide enough relief to eligible seniors.

The Board is considering a cap or formula to better balance the town’s fiscal responsibility with resident needs.

Reminder: Applications are due July 31, and residents must first qualify for the state credit to receive a local match.

DIRE Committee Becomes READI

The Board approved changes to the Diversity, Inclusion & Racial Equity (DIRE) Committee:

• Renamed to READI (Race, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion)
• Reduced from 7 members to 5 to ease quorum challenges
• Meeting frequency changed to once a month

The committee will also consider whether to remain a subcommittee of the Select Board or become an independent body. A report is expected at the August 11 meeting.

Public Comment Policy Clarified

The Board clarified when public comment will be taken:

• In line with the agenda during:
  • Public Hearings
  • When items are being voted on
• At the end of meetings:
  • for informational topics
• Topics must be on the posted agenda to comply with Open Meeting Law

Topics Generally Discussed

• Community Chest Fun Run: The 17th annual run was approved and will take place on September 13.
• Affordable Housing Trust: The Board approved a $120,000 contribution toward road construction for a Habitat for Humanity development.
• Town Website: The long-delayed website redesign is back on track, with support from UMass Boston’s Collins Center. A winter launch is now expected.

Proposed Topics for Upcoming Meetings

• Noise Ordinance Review: The current bylaw dates back to the 1930s and may be considered for revision.
• HWQD Oversight: A resident requested that the Board revisit the town’s role and authority over the Hoosac Water Quality District, particularly following public concern.
• Traffic Alert System Equity: A question was raised about expanding the use of the Code Red notification system beyond traffic alerts—such as notifying residents about major policy changes, tax updates, or other town-wide issues.

The Board is also considering canceling its second August meeting due to summer scheduling and lighter agendas.

CAT TAX