Community Development

Post date: May 03, 2019 6:32:34 PM

BUILDING

The Building Department remains busy despite the pandemic and economic downturn. 330 Cole Ave is progressing well. One building is completely framed, walls and deck are being erected on a second building, and footings are being poured on a third. Work is also progressing on "The Cube". The interior framing and finish package has been awarded for that building, all that remains of the original Photech plant.

At Williams College above ceiling inspections have started for the North Science Center, in anticipation of completing all ceilings. The Davis Center has also moved back into the queue for construction. Early discussions are ongoing and the department expects to be reviewing plans by the end of this year. Certificates of Inspection for the College are also 60% complete.

Elsewhere around town, the Administration Building at Mount Greylock School will be inspected for a Certificate of Occupancy within the next week or so. The department continues to work closely with local businesses on reconfigurations for COVID safety. Residential work continues at a strong pace. 86 applications were received and 62 permits issued for September. Last September saw 51 applications and 63 permit issuances. The large increase in applications indicates a strong local residential construction sector.

Sarah is also working closely with Deb Turnbull on coordination annual inspections for holders of liquor licenses. These will start in early October.

HEALTH

The Board of Health has suspended the local regulation requiring pre inspection of rental units. Units will continue to be inspected by complaint.

There are a lot of Title 5 Inspections and Installation Inspections ongoing as properties in town sell and change owners, indicative of a strong local real estate market.

Dr. Devan Bartels has joined the Board of Health, filling a vacancy left by Nurse Marcia Tessier. Dr. Bartels is in Anesthesiology at Berkshire Medical Center.

Covid-19 cases continue to be reported to the Board of Health. At this time, though the town’s weekly DPH color has changed from gray to yellow, the cases reflect few households and no community wide spread. The Board of Health continues to work closely with Williams College and local schools to manage any COVID related issues that arise.

LAND USE

Conservation Commission continues its work over Zoom and on in person site visits. They have been permitting numerous replacement septic systems and other site improvements for single family home owners.

Zoning Board will meet in mid October to consider several applications from various homeowners for additions and garages.

Planning Board met early in September to chart out its work for 2021. The Board placed a strong emphasis on fixing the issues with local regulation of marijuana cultivation that were contentious at Town Meeting. The Board plans to work closely with all stakeholders on this issue including the Agricultural Commission moving forward. The Board has also committed to working closely with the DIRE Committee. Peter Beck and Susan Puddester are serving as Planning Board liaisons to DIRE.

All right of way documentation was recently recorded at the Registry of Deeds for the bike path. MassDOT has advertised the path for construction in Spring of '21.

Andrew and David McGowan from Williamstown Rural Lands are sponsoring a Williams student project this semester. Two students will completing a comprehensive farm land inventory and analysis to aid in future agricultural conservation planning for the town and WRLF.

Andrew also is continuing work with the Bennington Regional Commission on a bike path scoping study for connecting Bennington and Williamstown through Pownal. A recent public hearing on this plan was well attended and the path concept well received.

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