Budgets, Benches, and Big Questions

Select Board wrestles with transparency and housing, School Committee eyes new superintendent, and FinComm sounds the alarm on long-term deficits.

Williamstown Select Board Recap – July 14, 2025

At their July 14 meeting, the Select Board continued to grapple with three key concerns:

• How to set meaningful priorities for the year
• How to improve public comment access
• How to make town decision-making more transparent

These aren’t abstract questions. Civics Corner readers have reached out directly, asking about progress with the HWQD, how the Fire District impacts their tax rate, and overall how to more easily understand how decisions in the town get made. These questions dont’ highlight a lack of civic duty by our dedicated (and mostly volunteer town government) but in my opinion does highlight a need for a professionalized communications approach to Williamstown governance. 

Board member Shana Dixon echoed this idea in the Select Board meeting. Even as a sitting board member, she noted how hard it is to get clear updates on what’s been completed and what’s still in progress. Some responses—such as suggesting she “watch WilliNet” or “ask staff”—highlighted how there are options, but that often require many hours of work and aren’t that accessible. 

While WilliNet remains a critical civic resource, it lacks modern tools like closed captions, searchable transcripts, or topical summaries. Civic engagement demands civic access.

The Board also discussed moving public comment to the start of meetings, a potential improvement for accessibility and predictability.

Quick Meeting Updates:

Board Budget $20,000 discretionary budget use under review. Support for funding recurring events (e.g., July 4, Pride) via dedicated lines. Fireworks Committee may be formed.

Event Planning Early brainstorming for 2025’s Pride Month and U.S. Semiquincentennial. Ideas include planting 250 native trees, Mass250 grants, and new inclusive volunteer committees.

Travel Reimbursement Policy Board supports reimbursing up to $1,000/year per member for official travel. Small expenses (<$200) wouldn’t need prior approval.

National Night Out Set for August 5, 4–7 PM. Town groups encouraged to join. 

Infrastructure & Planning

• Subdivision Standards: Planning Board revising with consultant; Select Board is involved with final approval.
• Utility Pole: Approved for new home on Main Street.
• Cemetery Plots: Continued non-resident purchase review.

DIRE Committee Draft charter (with possible name change and shift to monthly meetings) expected by end of July.

Affordable Housing & Economic Growth

• Interest was expressed in expanding deed restrictions like Habitat’s model.
• Jeff Johnson: “We’ve got to get over the NIMBY garbage.”
• Matt Neely: Emphasized growth via housing and small business.
• The Select Board expressed interest in a potential biannual FINCOM briefings.

Miscellaneous

• Approved manager change for Spice Root liquor license.
• Town Manager Bob Menicocci on vacation.
• Jeff Johnson attended via Zoom.
• ADA 35th Anniversary on July 26 and Jeff Johnson mentioned the Board and/or town should recognize it

Mount Greylock Policy & Governance Subcommittee 

By Jack

July 1 Meeting - Graduation Policies, Field Trip Policies, and Policy Review, Oh My!

Voting Items

• Minutes from the June 5th meeting were approved.
• The committee approved the addition of new language to the proposed graduation requirement policy to address an “edge case” scenario:
  • “If a student has fully exhausted the school’s course offerings and, as a result, is unable to take the required minimum number of credits in a given subject area, the Principal shall determine a set of accommodations necessary to allow the student to meet alternate course distribution requirements.”
    • This language was debated in the subsequent full committee meeting, but passed without further amendment.
• The subcommittee also adopted an amendment to ensure that credits could be given for courses taken outside of Greylock, such as those taken through dual enrollment. 

Field Trip Policy

• The subcommittee moved to adjust some verbiage in the school’s field trip policy, removing the phrase “The School Committee will also encourage field trips as an integral part of the instructional programs in the schools,” as they argue that if such field trips are “integral,” yet cannot be afforded by all, this may be seen as inequitable and allowing students to miss out on an important component of their education.
• A clarifying clause was also added to a proposed amendment on the field trip policy. It now reads, “All trips should be planned with financial access considered, such as to minimize financial expense and maximize fundraising opportunities to offset costs.”

Policy Review Talks

• Discussions about what (if any) sections of policies should be reviewed, by whom, and on what timeline. The subcommittee agreed to use the MASC’s (Massachusetts Association of School Committees) recommendations to determine which policies they will currently prioritize for review. 

School Committee

July 10th Meeting - Possible Confirmation of New Superintendent, Federal Funding Cuts, and More!

• Absence Policy
  • In a discussion regarding what level of situational control principals should be able to deem an activity as eligible for an excused absence, Chair Julia Bowen raised the point that some activities, such as sports events, may be viewed differently than something like a presentation at a conference, and suggested that there should be some sort of “rubric” to define what constitutes an extenuating circumstance that may be excused.
• Superintendent Search
  • Members of the Superintendent Search Subcommittee expressed that the interim superintendent, Joseph Bergeron (who was present at the meeting), has proved a likely candidate for the next official superintendent. The other option was to hold a limited search, but there was concern this might be hindered by having a “strong internal candidate.” The group signaled there would likely be a vote on appointing Bergeron as the new superintendent, either this year or next. This was reportedly the first public instance in which Bergeron’s interest in becoming the full-time superintendent was officially acknowledged. 
  • While this portion of the meeting was rather awkward, especially given Bergeron’s attendance (which is entirely normal), it was clear that Bergeron’s priority was to get what was best for the district. Community members are urged to reach out before the committee’s next meeting on August 12th to share their thoughts on this decision. You can email the school committee at: schoolcommittee@mgrhs.org
• Outcomes Committee
  • The school committee will establish a new “outcomes committee” focused on ensuring students are prepared for the real world and that their education aligns with this goal. This committee will not decide the curriculum but rather review data and make recommendations.
• Business Office Update
  • The district has been no exception to the federal government's recent cuts in education funding; the district currently has about $50,000 in funding on hold, designated for professional development and support for unhoused students. The superintendent expressed hope that the funding will be released by the start of the school year.
• WES Playground Updates
  • All WES’s old playgrounds have been demolished. The new playgrounds’footprints are essentially the same, but will feature rubber surfaces to allow for wheelchair accessibility. The project is expected to be completed by the start of the school year. 
• New Projector Approval For WES
  • A vote to approve $15,000 from a Williams College gift fund (with a current balance of approximately $2.2 million) to be appropriated for the purchase of a new projector for the WES auditorium was successful. The old projector has “kicked the can,” and a more permanent solution is reportedly needed. The projector should be installed by the start of the school year. 

Finance Committee – July 15, 2025

By Kimma

1. Year-End Transfers & Snow Deficit

To close a $239,676 snow and ice deficit, the town reallocated unspent funds—mainly from unfilled health plans and the Reserve Fund. Though effective, this habit of relying on year-end reversions may mask deeper imbalances.

2. Snow Budget Volatility

Snow removal costs reached nearly $491,000, nearly double the budgeted amount. Discussion included tracking multi-year trends and recognizing salt inventory as an asset—though state accounting rules complicate this.

Reminder: Massachusetts law (Chapter 44, Section 31D) allows towns to deficit spend on snow removal, but only if each year’s appropriation matches or exceeds the prior year.

3. Health Insurance Pressures

The committee raised concerns about lack of control over Blue Cross mid-year plan changes (e.g., dropping weight-loss drug coverage). Health insurance is ~10% of the town’s budget, and long-term strategy is needed.

4. Budget Process Feedback

New members asked for clearer department metrics, accomplishments, and future goals. There’s a push toward professionalizing budget presentations.

5. Nonprofit Funding

Interest in formal criteria for nonprofits requesting town support. Some suggested shifting this process to the Town Manager with Select Board/FinComm guidance.

6. Capital Planning

Fall forecast session planned with key departments (Water/Sewer, Fire, Schools, DPW). DPW’s new capital software and the Fire District’s emerging finance committee are seen as positive steps.

7. CPC Coordination

Joint CPC conversations recommended to align fiscal expectations now that Cable Mills is complete and funds are opening up.

8. Economic Development

Revenue is growing at 1%, while expenses grow at 5%. Without new growth, future budgets may require deep cuts or tax increases.

FinComm supports Select Board efforts to reduce permitting and zoning barriers and hopes to play an active role in promoting development.

9. Public Comment – Economic Development Focus

In response to a question from Civics Corner’s Kimma Stark, the committee engaged in a detailed discussion about the need for:

• Cross-committee coordination
• Clear strategies to grow the tax base
• Removing regulatory barriers
• Proactive advocacy despite FinComm’s limited formal power

The committee showed openness and insight, reinforcing its reputation for professionalism and transparency.

MEOW! Thanks for reading! I was a long update!

We are going to cut ourselves off here, because we know this is already too much to read, but we wanted to get it out. 

In the next couple days expect:

1. Our update from the tour of the HWQD (a special guest correspondent is cover it and hasn’t gotten his article to us yet)
2. Coverage of the Affordable Housing Trust Meeting from this week
3. Schedule of what is coming up next week!

CAT TAX