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Date: 4/13/2021
WILLIAMSBURG – During its April 8 meeting, the Williamsburg Board of Selectmen discussed an extension for tenants at the Helen E. James building and received a presentation on Open Space and Recreation Plan research.
To start the Open Space and Recreation Plan presentation, committee member Sally Loomis said the new plan has been in progress for the past two years.
“We have been working for the past two years to update the town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan which was last updated in 2011. As part of that effort we went through community engagement, we did a survey in the summer of 2019, we then followed that with a public visioning event that fall,” she said.
From surveys and public outreach, Loomis said many residents were interested in preserving both natural and public open spaces in the new plan.
“The conservation of forests, wildlife habitats, water quality, farms, and scenic views are all top concerns for people. People are eager to have improved and extended sidewalks. There is great support for the Mill River Greenway and bike lanes in general, people are interested in more access to swimming holes, and there is a lot of momentum behind protecting open spaces in the town center,” she said.
Loomis explained that the committee came up with seven goals for the new plan that would be in sync with the town’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Plan.
“Our first goal is a master plan, we also highlighted protection and management of natural resources and open spaces, offering a range of recreational opportunities for all residents, having an informed and engaged citizenry, ensuring our future investments consider and combat climate change, and then collaborating with neighboring communities,” she said.
The board ultimately agreed to put the plan on the agenda as an item for future discussion and public participation.
After the town voted to demolish the Helen E. James School in favor of the new public safety complex at the Special Town Meeting on April 3, one of the building’s tenants David Chase requested an extension to stay in the building through July while they are expected to vacate by June 1.
“It would be really helpful for us if we could stay a little longer. The ideal would be through the end of July. We have to figure out how to move the business or shutter it up and then we have a few local workers in there that would need to find a space,” he said.
Board of Selectmen member Dave Mathers said he was against extending their stay in the building past June 1.
“I am not in favor of extending it beyond June 1. We cannot afford to have them go out to bid or have people marching through their trying to figure out the mitigations and intertwining with other people. It’s been a long time to get this project going and we have a very tight time frame to start,” he said.
Chair Bill Sayre said he was in favor of an extension if it did not cause any conflicts with the architect.
“The highest priority here is the architect’s time schedule and his need to do what he needs to do, but I am not sure we have a clear answer if there is room in June for you to stay. If he says no to more time, then June 1 would be the end date. If there’s any conflict at all I agree to stick to the current deadline,” he said.
The board agreed to task Town Administrator Charlene Nardi with reaching out to the architect to see if an extension was possible but did agree to lower the rent for the building for the last two months.
The Board of Selectmen next meets on April 22.