HomeMy WebLinkAboutMaster Plan Implementation Committee June 21, 2021 Minutes: Master Plan Implementation Committee, June 21, 2021
In Attendance (via Google Meet): Members Kelly Cormier(Chair), Stan Limpert (Vice Chair),
Chris Nobile, Meredith Barnes-Cook, Sean McDonough, Jon Strauss, Jay Dowd, Hollie
Williams
Absent: George Koehler
Staff: Andrew Shapiro (Director of Community and Economic Development), Jean Enright
(Planning Director), and Dan Beckley(Staff Planner)
Public Comments—There were no public comments
Approval of minutes from the May 3, 2021 meeting
Moved by Hollie, second by Jon. Motion passes unanimously with one abstention by Stan.
Report out on presentation of Framework as part of our Quarterly Report. Including
discussion on possible changes:
Kelly believes it was well received.
Jon comments that the presentation was objective and lays good groundwork moving forward.
Chris comments that the report and presentation helped the Select Board. The MPIC is a
mechanism to confirm the relevant facts and strategy for implementation.
Chris comments that perhaps MPIC should have a set presentation at town meeting in the future.
Jon agrees.
Kelly: Should we take the same approach with the Rt. 125 Improvement Plan project?
Jon comments that we should review the Downtown Improvement Plan(DIP) and table whether
to review the Rt. 125 Improvement Plan.
Andrew comments that the DIP is an element of the MP and it's not necessary for us to review it.
Jon comments that it should still be reviewed and will help in future projects.
Stan comments that perhaps we should review the DIP.
Andrew comments that Beta is no longer involved in the project and cannot make a presentation.
Also that Beta presented to the BOS and it is available for all to watch.
Jean reiterated Andrew's comments.
Kelly proposes that at the next meeting we review the DIP and the following meeting we review
Rt 125 project.
Stan had wanted a format for us to review projects and he thinks that we have now achieved it.
Jon will review the DIP and compare it with the Mater Plan's elements and report at the next
meeting.
Kelly poses the question, where does the committee go from here?
Jon comments whether we should reach out to other town committees.
James comments that the 114 renovation project should be reviewed.
Jean comments that it is a Mass DOT project and they have their own public meetings and are
largely autonomous.
Andrew comments on DOT's notification efforts for the project and suggests that folks attend the
DOT public hearing on the project.
Kelly comments that the MPIC's existence and role is not well recognized in town affairs.
Stan comments that a description of the MPIC's role should be included in all presentations.
Chris comments that we should stay active.
Sean comments that we should re-examine the prioritized elements, determine what high priority
projects need more work or move further down the prioritized list.
Jon comments that there is a desire for information and we should disseminate it and whether we
should create a sub-committee concerning promoting the MPIC's role.
James agrees we should re-examine the elements.
Kelly states that we should use a 1-2 year timeline.
Sean proposes that before the next meeting each sub group presents a status concerning the
initially prioritized elements and proposed new elements to address.
Kelly proposes communicating with the BOS about a formal presentation opportunity at town
meeting.
Chris volunteers to work with Daniel concerning promoting the MPIC.
James comments that Master Plans are often forgotten over time and proposes that the MPIC's
actions or updates are placed on the town website.
Jon will look at the DIP and compare it with the strategies/elements.
Kelly poses the question whether future meetings be live, remote or a hybrid. Kelly proposes a
hybrid or remote.
Hollie prefers in-person meetings.
Andrew discusses technical aspects of a hybrid format.
Holly proposes continuing remotely for the next three meetings.
Next meeting is July 26, 2021 at 5 p.m.
DIP review
Sub-committees present on the status of their elements.
New Business: Andrew states that we have to start working on our next quarterly report.
Motion to Adjourn by Chris. Second by James. Passes unanimously.