The Williams Record

Feb. 28 Select Board meeting: Search for permanent Town manager continues

Ella Marx • March 2, 2022

At Monday’s meeting, Select Board member Hugh Daley announced that the search committee for a permanent Town manager has finished accepting applications. The Town is currently engaged in its second search for a permanent Town manager over the past year.

Sept. 27 Select Board meeting: Board to interview Town manager candidates, discusses Article 37 implementation

Saud Afzal Shafi • October 18, 2021

The Williamstown Select Board met on Sept. 27 to discuss the implementation of Article 37 and the ongoing search process for a permanent Town manager. Article 37 is a citizen’s petition — passed during the August 2020 Town Meeting — that aims to promote racial and socioeconomic equity within Town government.

Williamstown Select Board summer recap: DA Harrington answers questions about Brady list, DIRE committee adds new members

Ella Marx and Saud Afzal Shafi • September 14, 2021

Over the summer, the Select Board hosted Berkshire County District Attorney Andrea Harrington to answer Town residents’ questions about policies concerning police officers who have committed or been accused of committing misconduct. The board also confirmed new members to the DIRE committee and announced plans to release the findings of an investigation into WPD misconduct.

May 10 Select Board meeting: Blanchard chooses Ziemba as interim police chief, board discusses role of DIRE committee

Joey Fox and Ella Marx • May 16, 2021

At the Select Board’s May 10 meeting, Interim Town Manager Charles Blanchard announced that after receiving six applications, he had chosen Acting Williamstown Police Department (WPD) Chief Mike Ziemba as interim police chief.

April 26 Select Board Meeting: Board votes on draft warrant; continues search for town manager, police chief

Ella Marx and Emily Kuwaye • May 3, 2021

The Select Board reviewed proposed articles in the draft warrant that will be presented at the annual Town meeting on June 8. The board also heard updates on the searches for the permanent town manager and interim police chief.

March 22 Select Board meeting: WPD officers suspended for illegal searches

Also: Board to interview interim town manager candidates tomorrow

Maddy Lawler and Ella Marx • March 28, 2021

At the Williamstown Select Board meeting on March 22, Acting WPD Chief Ziemba said that the officers who illegally searched the records of WPD critics' have been suspended without pay. Also at the meeting, the board discussed the selection processes for the interim WPD chief and town manager and broadened the scope of Levenson’s investigation.

March 8 Select Board meeting: Patton announces second recent WPD complaint; board hires search firm for town manager

Also: Thomas suggests Select Board stipend, gets tepid response

Irene Loewenson and Ella Marx • March 14, 2021

At the March 8 meeting, Patton announced that two recent employee complaints have been “brought up” in the WPD. Also, the board chose a firm to conduct the town manager search and discussed compensating future board members.

Feb. 22 Select Board meeting: Board plans hiring process for interim police chief, town manager

Also: In annual review, Select Board praises Hoch for leadership of Town

Ella Marx • February 28, 2021

At the meeting on Feb. 22, the Williamstown Select Board planned for the hiring of an interim town manager and an interim chief of the Williamstown Police Department.

Feb. 8 Select Board meeting: Town Manager Hoch slows hiring process for interim chief after criticism

Also: Select Board picks attorney to investigate WPD misconduct

Kevin Yang and Ella Marx • February 17, 2021

Town Manager Jason Hoch ’95 said at the Feb. 8 Select Board that he would slow down the search for an interim police chief after several Town residents criticized him for fielding candidates without first assembling an advisory committee.

Jan. 25 Select Board meeting: Two Williamstown employees resign after misconduct complaint

Ella Marx and Kevin Yang • January 28, 2021

Also at Monday’s meeting, Select Board member Jeffrey Thomas announced that he would be stepping down, and the board discussed next steps in the Town’s investigation into Williamstown Police Department (WPD) misconduct and the search process for a new police chief. Here are the main takeaways from the meeting.