Williamstown growth faces utility limits: Berkshire Gas has indicated gas service is essentially tapped out, and Town Manager Robert Menicocci said electric capacity is a megawatt or less. No gas moratorium is in force yet; he put a major grid expansion at $100 million.
Community development director Andrew Groff said a formal gas moratorium could affect Williams College’s planned ARC project to replace its indoor athletic facilities. If imposed, it could bar new residential and commercial hookups, including gas ovens in homes already heated with natural gas and lines to accessory dwelling units.
Menicocci said meaningful electric-grid expansion would depend on the state pressing National Grid to build infrastructure, with ratepayers ultimately paying. He said residential solar could be an option only with battery storage. At an Aug. 24 tax hearing, assessor Christopher Lamarre said new growth increases the allowable levy and broadens the tax base, while a constrained base leaves existing taxpayers to absorb increases.
