Community Development

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

BUILDING

The Building Department continues working on inspections for liquor license holders and all of the public buildings at Williams College. The college's new COVID testing site at the Towne Field House has also been approved. Progress continues at the North Science Center and Fort Bradshaw as well. Fort Bradshaw is looking to wrap up major work before the end of the year. Very preliminary plan review work is also underway with the design team for the new Davis Center project. Scott Henderson is the lead project manager for Williams on that project.

On the residential side work continues at a remarkable pace considering the pandemic and prevailing economic conditions. In the 30 days preceding this report the department received 43 building and 32 trades permits. Over the same 30 day period in 2019 we received 17 building permits and 22 trades permits, this is a 42% increase in building permits.

HEALTH

Williams continues to have great success with its COVID testing procedures and overall low number of cases. Jeff has also been continuing to perform septic inspections at a high rate as the real estate market continues to be quite strong. Jeff has also been working on certifying gas pumps in town.

LAND USE

The ZBA recently met and approved several projects for local homeowners including a variance on White Oaks Road. The Con Com recently got a report from Dan Gura on summer trail work. Sign Commission has begun a review of local sign bylaws and is working with KP Law on updating them to be in compliance with some recent Supreme Court cases. Andrew has been working with folks from MEMA and DPW on studying the North Adams water main into the White Oaks and how the Town might be able to get grant funding to retire that 19th Century system.

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