Williamstown City Council passes water fee increase

Plans safe community Christmas celebration

WILLIAMSTOWN -- Williamstown City Council met briefly on Tuesday with an open hearing for citizens to voice any questions or concerns they have about the potential water fee increase, as well as the announcement of an upcoming Christmas event in lieu of the annual parade.

Mayor Paul Jordan and City Clerk Stephanie Stengel were present in the council chambers, with the rest of the council members phoning in due to coronavirus gathering restrictions. Councilmember Jim Parker was absent.

The ordinance to institute a 3 percent water fee increase passed unanimously by council after nobody from the public was present to comment.

There were no other new orders of business at the meeting on Tuesday.

In terms of updates from various council members and their respective departments, Councilmember Barbara Lewis expressed her excitement to be working with Bee City to introduce new pollinator plants to city landscapes come springtime.

Councilmember Marty Seufer additionally added that Bee City plans to have virtual seminars this winter to engage the public in lieu of in-person events due to COVID-19.

Despite the annual Williamstown Christmas Parade being canceled this year due to pandemic restrictions, Santa Claus and his elves will still be making a visit Dec. 17 starting at 6 p.m. with help getting around town from the Williamstown Volunteer Fire Department, according to Jordan.

"Everybody is reaching for something right now, something warm and something fun and uplifting," he said about the planned festivities. "I am hoping this will bring people out and let them wave from their porches … hopefully it'll get people to light their porches up and light their homes up and that is what we are encouraging so we can light the whole town up."

During their rounds, the firefighters and Santa will be collecting donations for the Williamstown Food Pantry and spreading holiday cheer to both children and their families, Jordan said. Even when Santa isn't in Williamstown, donation drop-off boxes will be dispersed throughout the city during December to donate canned goods.

Jordan is also sponsoring a "Light Up The Town" Contest, with interested homes, churches and businesses allowed to register by calling the Williamstown City Building by Dec. 15.

Judges for the contest will assess and grant awards for the following categories of decorated buildings: Best Theme, Most Original, Traditional, Best Residential and Business Commercial.

"Next year, if everything goes well, we will bring the Christmas Parade back," Jordan said.

Other announcements include:

∫ The City of Williamstown Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 to discuss a zoning request by DaVinci's Restaurant owners Pat Rauch and Chris Bender to build a gaming facility on their property, which would require variance from a current city code.

∫ The Dec. 15 Williamstown City Council meeting will not be held.