November 10 Select Board Meeting

Williamstown Select Board Discusses — But Does Not Finalize — FY26 Budget Priorities

November 10 meeting recap

The Williamstown Select Board met Monday with the stated agenda to identify budget priorities for the coming fiscal year — but after a wide-ranging discussion touching on everything from flood control to affordable housing, the board concluded without agreeing on a final list to send to Town Manager Bob Menicocci.

What the Discussion Was Meant to Do

Each year, the Select Board is expected to outline its priorities for the town’s operating budget before the Finance Committee begins its work. Monday’s session was meant to clarify those goals — not set numbers, but define guiding principles for Menicocci and town staff.

Instead, members traded views on competing pressures: maintaining roads and public buildings, supporting town employees, keeping taxes affordable, addressing climate-related infrastructure damage, and promoting “smart growth” without sacrificing open space.

Budget Outlook: Room to Breathe, But Not Forever

Town Manager Bob Menicocci presented new data showing that Williamstown still has about $2.7 million in “headroom” under the state levy limit — meaning the town isn’t yet taxing at the maximum rate allowed. However, expenses are rising faster than revenue, driven by factors such as employee health care costs, sewage sludge disposal, and general infrastructure maintenance.

By 2036, the town could face a $400,000 structural deficit if these trends continue. Menicocci repeatedly emphasized that the chart he presented was a projection, not a prediction, and urged viewers to interpret it as a planning tool rather than a fixed forecast.

Free cash reserves have been reduced from roughly $2 million to around $1 million as the town attempts to lessen its reliance on one-time funds to lower taxes. 

Balancing Vision with Urgency

As the Board discussed proactive investments such as new recreation areas and playgrounds, members also acknowledged that unforeseen infrastructure emergencies may ultimately drive spending decisions.

“I have a problem talking about the future,” said Shayna Dixon. “We’ve got to just roll with the punches.”

In response, Menicocci outlined several potential problem areas already on the town’s radar. Chief among them: flooding along the Hoosic River, which has shifted from a once-in-a-decade occurrence to an annual event. The repeated high-water episodes are eroding riverbanks and exposing an old capped landfill on Williams College property. The town is coordinating with the DEP on remediation and seeking state funding through a bond bill.

Board members agreed that addressing deferred maintenance — including roads, sewer lines, storm water systems, and municipal buildings — must remain a priority even as costs continue to rise.

Growth vs. Preservation

Select Board members Peter Beck and Matt Neely argued that the town can’t rely solely on spending cuts and raising taxes on existing property. “Growing our way out of this is the solution if we can figure out how to do it,” Neely said. Both cited smart, infill-style development as a way to expand the tax base without sprawling into conservation land.

Stephanie Boyd emphasized equity and access, noting that families without means to leave town need safe parks, reliable infrastructure, and rental housing. 

Unfinished Business

The meeting ended without a unified list of priorities. Boyd volunteered to summarize themes for review at the next meeting, though members disagreed on whether that was necessary.

Chapter 61 Policy Revisions

The Board also revisited potential updates to the town’s Chapter 61 land-use policy, which offers tax breaks to property owners who keep land in forestry, agriculture, or recreation and gives the town a first right of refusal if that land is sold or removed from the program.

Boyd proposed adopting a draft policy written last year that would formalize input from additional committees — particularly the Conservation Commission — before the Board takes action on Chapter 61 cases. Currently, the Board can act immediately, with a minimum review period of zero days. The proposed policy would extend that to 60 days, intentionally limiting the Board’s power to ensure there is sufficient time for relevant committees to review and comment before any decision is made. 

Melissa Craig, a Williamstown resident and member of the Finance Committee, requested that her committee also be included in that review process, citing the fiscal implications of removing land from Chapter 61 status.

Members generally favored keeping the policy as a Select Board policy rather than converting it into a town bylaw, in order to preserve flexibility for future boards. They also discussed shortening the proposed minimum review period from 60 to 45 days to balance transparency with efficiency.

Resident Hugh Daley cautioned against overly rigid language: “Don’t hamstring yourselves,” he said. “When it benefits someone, they’ll beat you over the head with it.”

Board members noted that Chapter 61 cases are relatively rare — and that it would be even rarer for the Town to purchase land outright, given the expense — but agreed that revisiting the policy feels timely. The discussion dovetailed with broader questions raised earlier in the meeting about how to encourage responsible housing development in Williamstown while protecting open space and maintaining a sustainable tax base.

Town Manager’s Report

Menicocci announced a $500,000 state grant for planning improvements along Main Street. South Street paving is complete, with sidewalk work planned for spring. About 10–15% of residents — roughly 1,000 people — rely on SNAP benefits, he noted, a reminder that state and federal budget shifts hit close to home.

Next Steps

The Select Board will revisit budget priorities, continue discussion of the Chapter 61 policy, and potentially receive updates from the READI committee.

Stay Warm out there!