Williamstown Select Board Approves Response to State Open Meeting Law Complaint

WILLIAMSTOWN — May 21, 2026 — Williamstown Select Board votes to answer Open Meeting Law complaint over 59 Water Street executive session. The board voted 4-0, with member Nate Buddington abstaining, at a special May 21 midday meeting to approve a formal response drafted by KP Law municipal counsel addressing a complaint filed with the state Attorney General. The complaint, read aloud by Chair Jane Beck, alleged two violations: that the board improperly discussed Williams College's $1 million development proposal for the town-owned vacant lot — assessed at roughly $250,000 — before the RFP process concluded, and that it failed to take a required roll call vote before entering executive session on May 11. The board acknowledged the roll call omission and voted to add a reference to its subsequent retroactive vote to the KP Law response, with one member noting "the AG's office cares about people trying to fix mistakes when they make them." The board then adjourned to executive session to approve the May 11 minutes, with no return to open session.