Mashpee Blue Ribbon Comprehensive Committee
Minutes of Meeting Held Thursday, October 13, 2005
Mashpee Town Hall
Present: D. Myers, Douglas Storrs, Beverly Kane, Zella Elizenberry, John Miller, Chuckie Green, and Lee Gurney.
Absent: Bob Sherman and Glenn Santos.
Invited Participant: Tom Fudala, Town Planner.
Don Myers called the meeting to order, stating a quorum was present.
Minutes of September 27, 2005
The minutes of September 27, 2005 are to be reviewed for approval at the next Committee meeting since some of the Committee members could not open the WordPerfect document and therefore could not review the September 27 minutes beforehand.
Tom Fudala Presentation
Tom Fudala gave the Committee an overview of the process of developing the Local Comprehensive Plan (LCP) and the various groups who worked on developing the existing LCP. Tom had provided the Committee with a handout that provides an explanation of the various procedures and requirements followed in compiling the LCP. A copy of the handout is attached to the printed set of these minutes.
Tom gave a detailed account of what was done to create the LCP going back to the starting point in 1992 with a survey that was sent out to Town residents asking what they want to see in Town. He explained the various committees that had been set up or various groups of people that were set up to be involved in the project. They also had consultants involved in various elements. Further, Tom explained they also had neighborhood meetings and a 2-day workshop led by the Cape Cod Commission. As every element was completed, they then had Public Hearings prior to being adopted at Town Meeting and then the document was finally approved by the Cape Cod Commission. In addition, although not required at that time, an implementation committee was created but only survived about a year and then disbanded
because they could not get a quorum present to hold meetings. Tom did note that under the new requirements, an implementation manager or committee would be required.
Lastly, Tom pointed out that some issues were required, but some were not required but included by the Town—for instance, schools and issues related to the schools. Tom explained that the Comprehensive Plan has to be consistent with the Regional Plan; so automatically you’re in compliance with the Regional Plan but have added local issues in the Local Comprehensive Plan.
Following points were made during the discussion period:
· Flexibility in how you organize the objectives and goals.
· Lee mentioned that some of the goals were “pie-in-the-sky” and some were not well documented.
· Lee stated that things should be able to be changed to meet the times.
· Tom advised the Selectmen had made the decision not to pursue certain goals/objectives, which was within their authority to do so.
· Comprehensive Plan not required by Cape Cod Commission.
· When Comprehensive Plan done, should be updated every 5 years, but Tom said none of the towns have done this.
· Tom stated it would benefit Mashpee in qualifying for state points to update the LCP by the 2008 state deadline.
Update LCP Recommendation
In discussing updating of the LCP, following points raised:
· Question raised as to who would have the time and energy to update the Plan. Suggestion: Documents should be smaller and more concise—What hasn’t happened; what do we want to happen; and give direction to whomever updates the Plan to change zoning to make it happen.
· Implementation will be critical.
· 1998 Plan no longer applicable so now long-range Plan should be more realistic to meet today’s realistic goals and objectives.
Motion: Chuckie Green moved that this Committee send to the Board of Selectmen a memo stating that we recommend that the Comprehensive Plan be updated as soon as possible by the appropriate means; Beverly Kane seconded the motion; and it was unanimously passed.
Blue Ribbon Committee
Several Committee members questioned what is this Committee’s Mission.
John suggested within final 90 days this Committee should ask Selectmen to qualify our reason for being.
Suggestion made that the major element is this Committee may be able to deal with 3 or 4 issues—for example, water; traffic; growth; etc. to actually start making effective changes to move forward to better this community and protect our resources.
Agenda Items for Next Meeting
The Committee suggested the following items for agenda for next meeting. Don Myers asked the Committee to come to the next meeting with recommendation of actions on these suggested items.
· Narrow down this Committee’s focus.
· Work with other groups—for instance, if regulatory change then work with regulatory board(s).
· Consider what’s wrong; why; and how do we fix it?
· Focus discussion on action items to discuss and come to a conclusion.
· Consider water resources; water and wastewater facilities, including coastal waters.
· Land use and growth management.
· Economic opportunity.
· Transportation/Traffic.
Next Meeting…Thursday, October 27, 2005, 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
Transcribed from Tape By Jean Giliberti
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