And the chair of the Prudential Committee used the opportunity to put that budget request into context. I understand the increase we re asking for is 10.6 percent, Richard Reynolds said. That sounds like a large number. We re all aware this money is the taxpayers money. We like to be very thoughtful about it. The town is not seeing a tax increase. And while ours is 10.6 percent, it s 6 cents for every $1,000 [of assessed property value]. So if you have a half-million dollar home in town, your tax increase for next year not per quarter, but for the whole year is $30. I understand that s your money, but we are trying to transform the department on a number of fronts.
Williamstown Elementary School will be conducting preschool screenings from 8:45 to 11:25 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, May 12 and 13. The free screenings are open to Williamstown children between the ages of 2 years, 9 months and 4 years old.
The purpose of the screening is to give parents information about their child s development. The screenings will be conducted by certified teachers and a speech and language pathologist.
Call Eli Phillips at 413-458-5707, ext. 301, to schedule an appointment. Call Suzy Gigliotti at 413-458-9582, ext. 2050, with questions.
jpierson@newsandsentinel.com
Williamstown City Council met to discuss various grant possibilities in the near future ranging from improvements for the city water department to the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
Tuesday’s meeting began with the laying of the 2021-2022 levy, which was passed unanimously and was based on existing rates.
Lynn Erb and Julie Posey, from the Marietta Community Foundation and Parkersburg Area Community Foundation respectively, were present to discuss the Williamstown Fund for Excellence, which was established in 2015 and has given over $65,000 in grant money towards projects in Williamstown.
The projects funded in the past have focused on community improvement and development, and have included grants for swim days at Williamstown Pool, funding for the robotics team at Williamstown High School and money for ball field improvements, according to Erb.
Voter registration deadline for the annual town election and annual town meeting is Wednesday, April 21. The town clerkâs office will be open by appointment from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day.
Mail-in voter registration forms must be postmarked no later than April 21. To schedule an appointment, call 413-458-3500, ext. 101, or email npedercini@williamstownma.gov. Voter registration forms may also be returned via the drop box outside the front door at Town Hall.
Annual town election voting will take place Tuesday, May 11, in the Williamstown Elementary School gymnasium. Early voting applications are available. Applications should be submitted soon to allow adequate time for mailing. Ballots wonât be arriving at the town clerkâs office until approximately April 23.
On Thursday, the School Committee held its annual public hearing on the budget. In year s past, that has been the night the panel votes to approve the spending plan it will send to member towns Lanesborough and Williamstown with the property tax assessments voters will consider at their respective annual town meetings. I m going to keep on saying draft, draft, draft all night long because this is a work in progress, Business Administrator Joe Bergeron said in presenting the budget to the board. As recently as March 3, the district told the Williamstown Finance Committee that it would be ready with final budget numbers for the Fin Comm to review at its March 17 meeting.