MASTER PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE
DISCUSSION NOTES
December 13, 2012 - 2:00 PM
Conference Room B, 3rd Floor, Town Hall
Voting Members Present: Justin Provencher, Brian Choquette, Chris Yates, Charlie Corley
Ex Officio Members Present: Dave Stephens, Paul Blazar, Tony Marques, Michael Burks
Others Present: Jennifer Burke, Kerin Shea, Michelle Ciccolo, Ralph Wilmer, Brian Rich
Members Not Present: Len Belli, Rodney Frias, Don Garcia, Terrence Joyce, Lorraine Nelson, Jim Quinn, Arthur Redding, Lynn Valcourt, Sam Wong, Julie Papazisis, John Blood, Linda Ghiloni
Hand-Outs: none
NO QUORUM WAS OBTAINED, THEREFORE NO MEETING COULD BE HELD. THE FOLLOWING NOTES WERE TAKEN FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
Recap - Housing & Economic Development Public Forum – December 10, 2012
Ms. Ciccolo asked for thoughts on the forum. What worked and what didn’t? What would members like to see? There was another good turnout with 60+ people, even though the patriots were playing that night. Many residents commented that the HPD signboard at the rotary was very effective. Mr. Corley commented that the moderator at the breakout table had to make sure everyone was heard, and no one person monopolized the conversation. He also thought the forum ran a little too long & should wrap up at 9:00 PM instead of 9:30. Mr. Wilmer said that the summary report would be forthcoming. He, too, noted that we lost about half of the attendees from the beginning of the night to the end.
Ms. Ciccolo asked what did members do for outreach themselves? Mr. Provencher sent the information to Rotary members. Mr. Corley sent it to the COA Board. He thanked Ms. Shea for putting a poster in the Senior Center.
January Public Forum – January 14, 2013
The next public forum date is January 14, 2013. We would like the topic to be Open Space, Recreation & Natural/Historical Resources, but only if Ms. Ghiloni is available. We would like to save social services for better weather, to make sure we can attract senior citizens and parents of young children.
Robert Nagy, the transportation expert at VHB is also not available that night in January. Ms. Ciccolo suggested, that if need be, we could cancel the January forum, and push them to March, April & May without seriously interrupting the schedule.
Ms. Shea will reach out to the Historical Society, Historic District Commission, Conservation Commission & Park Commission.
New Business
- Build-out Analysis - Mr. Wilmer discussed the ongoing build-out analysis & the methodology being used. Some zoning districts do not have a minimum lot size. Some lots are partially in 2 districts. (Ms. Burke – The stricter zoning prevails.) Should wetlands & floodplains be viewed as constraints? (Ms. Ciccolo – We cannot assume there will be no developments in the floodplain. Our Downtown is one such example.) What assumptions are to be made regarding underutilized lots? (Mr. Yates – We should project out using current zoning, or in some cases, potential future projections, such as with the Brigham farmhouse.)
- Open House – Ms. Ciccolo suggested holding an Open House with stations set up regarding the different Master Plan elements. Residents could see projects planned & ask questions of Town staff. Mr. Wilmer said it could be held before a Master Plan forum. Ms. Ciccolo suggested a weekend day-time event might also be good.
Minutes
Minutes could not be approved without a quorum of voting members.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 2:35 PM.
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