REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 – 6:00 P.M.
New Town Hall
Conference Room
40 Main Street
North Stonington, CT 06359
MINUTES
- CALL MEETING TO ORDER: Senior Planning and Zoning Official, Juliet Leeming called the Regular Meeting of the North POCD Steering Committee to order on Wednesday September 19, 2012 at 6:05 p.m. at the New Town Hall, Conference Room.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Julie Lanier and Elaine Boissevain (P&Z), Peter Bogoian (EDC), Tim Pelland (NSAHC), Mark Donahue (BOS), Dan Spring (BOF), Ed Harasimowitz (Hewitt Farm), Madeline Jeffery (NS Land Alliance), Belinda Learned (Agriculture)
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Marilyn Mackay (EDC), Mary Ann Ricker (NSAHC), Bill Ricker and Joe Spano (CC), Nicholas Mullane (BOS), Brian Geer and Joseph Perry (EPTN), Peter Nimirowski(BOF), Bob Testa (BOE), Nita Kincaid (Hewitt Farm),Mark Grigg and George Brown (IWWC), and Duncan Schweitzer and Mac Turner (Avalonia). There were no representatives from MPTN. Ed Scarchilli resigned from BOE.
Motion by Peter Bogoian to accept the minutes of the 8/6/12 meeting. Second by Tim Pelland
Commission voted unanimously to approve minutes as written.
- ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None
- DISCUSSION:
Materials Presented:
Juliet Leeming presented each member present with a packet of information including:
- A copy of the goals, objectives and actions of the 2009 version of the POCD;
- Materials from Madeline Jeffery explaining the Neighborhood Concept for public input;
- A list of the local churches and other organizations and Committees and the contact information so that we can contact them for possible focus groups or meetings;
- A copy of the article in the Mystic River Press;
- An information sheet about Visioning; and
- A copy of the Announcement placed on the website
The following topics were discussed during the meeting:
J. Leeming provided a status update of the Steering Committee tasks from last month.
All the other groups and organizations were identified for possible involvement in the POCD update. A sheet with their contact information was provided to the group. J. Leeming to contact Mr. Mann from NSHS to discuss possible meeting with the AP Government and Politics Class. Other groups identified were the PTO, the Democratic and Republican town Committees and the NSBA.
Discussion about continued Press involvement to continue coverage of the POCD after publication of recent article.
Reviewed work done at the Core Committee Meeting held 8/14/12
M. Jeffery explained her Neighborhood Concept – a means for residents along a certain road to meet and discuss the POCD or future of NS within the context of their specific neighborhood. How will the POCD affect their neighborhood? Discussion ensued.
Discussion of the Goals of the 2009 Plan lead into a more general discussion about what our goal (as a committee) is for the various focus groups, casual conversations, neighborhood meetings etc.?
What topic and meeting format would attract the most people to participate? Should we have a formal structure at each meeting or just allow people to vent? How do we capture the people’s comments if it is a more casual meeting? Ideas were discussed. There was a general feeling that it was OK to gather information from all different groups in different settings ranging from formal meetings to informal gatherings. All the information would be gathered and common themes/concerns would be extracted to get a better sense of what topics we need to better define and get more specific input on? (i.e. to determine possible topics for future charettes at Planning Fair). M. Jeffery suggested that the POCD Steering Committee take an active role in defining what some of the larger topics such as “rural
character” or “economic development” actually mean. She also suggested that we hold a workshop for residents showing them what our town looks like right now (demographics, trends, conditions etc.).
POCD Committee Tasks:
- A list of talking points and/or questions for the targeted public groups/stakeholders still needs to be developed. J. Leeming to work on a list of “Hot Topics” and a possible outline for informal meetings at the Library. This material will be distributed via e-mail to the group for comment.
- Another POCD announcement needs to be drafted by the 2nd week in October for publication in the November Recreation Bulletin.
- P. Bogoian and J. Leeming to host an informal meeting in the Wheeler Library on the topic of Economic Development. (…In response to the Budget Survey results. Question was raised regarding what planning was being done to increase economic development in town.)
- M. Jeffery and E. Boissevain to plan and host a neighborhood meeting for residents along Pendleton Hill Rd.
N. Mullane and J. Leeming to visit Senior Center to gather the Senior Citizens’ input about the future of NS.
- Add the POCD update to each Board and Commission Agenda so that certain talking points can be addressed etc.
- Develop a very specific outline for involving the HS students (Civics Class). J. Leeming to meet with Mr. Mann from the AP Government Class
- 2003 Planning Survey needs to be reviewed. M. Donahue to contact Steve Miscevich to help review and update the Survey.
- Core Committee to meet within the next 2 weeks to follow-up on items discussed at the 9/19/12 full Committee meeting.
- NEW BUSINESS: None
- OLD BUSINESS: None
- ADJOURN: Meeting was adjourned at 7:30pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Juliet Leeming
Juliet Leeming
Senior Planning and Zoning Official
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