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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-09-13 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Master Plan Implementation Committee, September 13, 2021 In Attendance (via Google Meet): Members - Stan Limpert (chair)Kelly Cormier, Chris Nobile, Meredith Barnes-Cook, Jon Strauss, Jay Dowd Absent: Sean McDonough, George Koehler, Hollie Williams Staff:Andrew Shapiro (Director of Community and Economic Development), Jean Enright (Planning Director), and Dan Beckley(Staff Planner) Immediately prior to calling the meeting to order at 5:02 PM, Kelly Cormier read aloud the following statement: Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021, this meeting of the Master Plan Implementation Committee will be conducted via remote means. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the Town's website, at www.northandoverma.gov. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to watch the meeting may do so on their televisions by tuning to Comcast Channel 8 or Verizon Channel 26 or online at www.northandovercam.=. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted,but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time, via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the Town of North Andover website an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. If the public would like to participate in public meetings,please email your question/comment prior to or during the meeting to ashapiro(�northandoverma.gov. The question/comment will be read during the proceedings and responded to accordingly. Public Comment Ms. Cormier asked Andrew Shapiro if he had received any comments from the public. Mr. Shapiro said that no comments had been submitted as of the start of the meeting. Approval of minutes of the July 2Q 2021 meetinL Chris Nobile moved to approve the minutes as submitted; seconded by Jay Dowd. Vote 6-0 in favor; motion passed. Election of Officers Stan Limpert initiated the discussion on this being the appropriate time to elect new officers for the upcoming term. Stan Limpert nominated Jon Strauss; Jay Dowd seconded. Vote 6-0 in favor; motion passed. Jay Dowd asked Kelly Cormier to lconsider a second year as Vice Chair given her good work partnering with Jon at the Town Meeting in June. She declined. Kelly then nominated Meredith Barnes-Cook which Stan Limpert seconded. Vote 6 - 0 in favor; motion passed. MP Elements Subcommittee Input Stan Limpert noted that in regards to History elements, Holly Williams had assured the committee that North Andover's historical markers appeared prominently on the web site. Thus, it was safe to conclude that element was accomplished. Andrew and Dan addressed the progress of the rail trail and its $140,000 designated funds. Unfortunately, the MassTrails grant application was unsuccessful. They have turned their attention to procuring a Phase 1 Planning Grant. Dan is serving as project manager. He described trail plans preceding from the downtown ponds to the Middleton line including connections to the Mills to Hills trail along Osgood Pond and the high school ponds to Stevens Pond to Dale Street and the Marbleridge Road intersection. Jon Strauss noted from his professional observation of related projects, the funding for the Rt. 125 sewer extension was in motion at the State level. Chris Nobile brought news of the demise of the abutter lawsuit delaying the recreation complex project in response to Stan Limpert's Recreation Element Committee query. Chris noted how the Select Board plans to move the matter forward. Kelly Cormier, Housing Element Committee member, noted that she had listened to speakers address the Planning Board on the subject of an"inclusionary zoning by-law"which is under review by that body. In a Transportation Element related matter, Jay Dowd asked the staff if the rehabilitation of Marblehead Street and connected streets east of Waverly Road is consistent with the "Complete Streets"program adopted by the Select Board in the spring. The answer was no; they were budgeted DPW repair projects utilizing Columbia Gas settlement funds. Dan Begley explained that public hearings in October will begin the detailing of a Complete Streets plan. Connecting qualified projects with public support makes them eligible for CS funding. New Business Stan Limpert raised the question of how we track progress of our MPIC recommendations. Chris Nobile agreed and said that he and Selectman Vaillancourt saw the need to find a way to communicate appropriate "behind the scenes"progress to the committee. Chris Nobile added that the priorities of the MPIC warrant a place in the Select Board's FY `23 list of goals. He highlighted the importance of the work of the element subcommittees. Adjournment Kelly Cormier moved to adjourn at 5:49 and with a second by Jon Strauss; all members voted in favor. Next meeting is scheduled for October 18, 2021 at 5:00 PM..