Headline: Board of Health Suspends Motel License, Pilots Summer Cooling Relief
Meeting Date: Monday, May 12, 2025
Location: Town Hall & Zoom
Time: 9:01–10:13 AM
Location: Town Hall & Zoom
Time: 9:01–10:13 AM
At its May 12 meeting, the Williamstown Board of Health took decisive action on a number of critical public health and safety issues—chief among them, suspending a motel’s license due to unsafe conditions and launching a new program to provide air conditioners to vulnerable residents.
❌ Stay Berkshires Motel Permit Suspended Amid Code Violations
Following months of stalled communications and failed inspections, the Board unanimously voted to suspend the health operating permit for Stay Berkshires Motel, located at 1146 Cold Spring Road. The suspension follows the revocation of the motel’s Certificate of Occupancy (CO) by the Building Department on April 2, 2025.
A joint inspection on April 15 uncovered serious health and safety violations including:
1. No hot water
2. Unstable second-floor balcony railing
3. Missing bathroom fixtures
4. Signs of winter water damage and mold risk
No representative from the motel attended the hearing, despite being invited. The Board emphasized that the health permit will only be reinstated when a valid CO is re-issued and all Board of Health violations are corrected. The motel owner will also be expected to attend any future reinstatement hearing.
❄️ AC Relief Program to Launch in June
Williamstown was selected as a pilot town by the Berkshire County Boards of Health Association for a new Cooling Assistance Program aimed at helping residents without adequate air conditioning.
The town has received six AC/fan combo units to distribute this summer. Health Inspector Ruth Russell worked with the Council on Aging to draft an eligibility form, which the Board reviewed during the meeting. Based on feedback, the Board recommended:
1. Translating the form into Spanish
2. Making it available at high-traffic locations like the library, Youth Center, and Spring Street boards
3. Engaging community groups such as the Community Chest and Affordable Housing Trust to ensure outreach reaches those most in need
4. Clarifying the income threshold to reflect local cost-of-living data
The application process is set to launch in early June, with the item returning to the next meeting for final review.
🚭 Board Endorses Smoke-Free Housing Warrant Article
The Board also voted unanimously to support Article 30, a proposed town meeting warrant article that would ban smoking inside multi-unit housing (five or more units) in Williamstown.
While members acknowledged the difficulty of enforcement, especially in existing housing stock, they emphasized the public health rationale behind the measure. The bylaw would allow fines for violations and require landlords to take an active role in implementation.
A formal letter of support from the Board will be submitted to accompany the article at Town Meeting.
👩⚕️ Other Updates: Staff Training & Next Meeting
Health Inspector Ruth Russell is scheduled to take her Registered Sanitarian exam in June. The exam and study materials were paid for with a public health mini-grant that must be used by the end of the fiscal year. The Board affirmed its willingness to support additional funding if the exam must be retaken.
The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for June 24, 2025, pending member availability.
📬 Want to get these updates straight to your inbox? Subscribe to Civics Corner to stay informed about local government decisions that impact your health, safety, and community life.
