Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-25 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Master Plan Implementation Committee, October 25, 2021 In Attendance (via Google Meet): Members - Jon Strauss (chair), Meredith Barnes-Cook(vice chair), Kelly Cormier, Jay Dowd, Chris Nobile, George Koehler, Sean McDonough, Hollie Williams Absent: Stan Limpert 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, Jon Strauss 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.org. 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 Mr. Strauss 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 mluutes of°the epterrael 1 , 221 eetin George Koehler moved to approve the minutes as submitted; seconded by Meredith Barnes-Cook. Vote 8-0 in favor; motion passed. Route 114 Corridor Improvements Project Jon Strauss advised of the Virtual Design public hearing this Thursday 10/28 7 pm- 8:30 pm. This will be a highly informative Zoom session where the current 25%roll plan will be reviewed. Jon Straus explained a roll plan is essentially a very long blueprint. It will also be the final opportunity to ask questions of the MassDOT.Andrew Shapiro noted that registration is required in advance at this web site Route 114 Corridor Improvements -Virtual design public hearing. Documentation will be available online and shared via social media in advance. Facilities Master Plan 2 Chris Nobile outlined the scope of the Facilities Master Plan 2 includes schools, the fire station, and Youth Center.Andrew Shapiro noted he can discuss with the Town Manager, the possibility of a presentation to the MPIC. . Kelly Cormier had already obtained the answer to Jon Strauss' question about the agenda for each meeting hosted at local school. It will be the same agenda, versus specific to a school. Hollie Williams observed that the Youth Center expansion plan intersects with the goals of the Master Plan, and part of the agenda for a December meeting. Chris Nobile advised that the final scope and sequence of the Facilities Master Plan 2 has not been determined, and is dependent on financing, community priorities, and appetite. Andrew Shapiro indicated a consultant has been procured. Chris Nobile added that while this project is at its beginning, it is moving fast to be ready to present at the next Town Meeting. The Master Plan Implementation Committee will continue to follow its progress. Andrew Shaprio observed that the litigation hold remains in effect for the Recreation Complex. Chris Nobile noted once that hurdle is cleared, there will be a push to catch up as much of the delay as possible with the funding being in place for 2 years. Community Preservation Committee Dan Beckley addressed the progress of the rail trail. CPC provided money that would match a grant to fund the design. We did not get the grant and there was a meeting earlier this month with the CPC to determine if we could use the matching funds to move the rail trail project forward. It would be for a smaller scope than the design to fit within the less total funding, like deed research, options, and a partial conceptual design. The CPC was in agreement with that approach. We are awaiting Town Counsel's feedback on the proposed change in the use of CPC funds. MassDOT will need to be engaged. We will eventually go through the Transportation Improvement Program(TIP) process for funding. There is a Community Preservation Fund public hearing on 12/2 at 7 pm. This is expected to be largely in person with a virtual attendance option. Master Plan Implementation Committee members are encouraged to attend to learn more. It will be a forum for the town to provide feedback on what is important. Applications for project funding requests will be due by the end of February 2022, with decisions made in March to then be presented at Town Meeting. New Business There was discussion about how to publish Master Plan Implementation Committee goals and progress, using the website and public Google Drive. This could include the MPIC's quarterly reports, and frameworks the MPIC uses to understand how major town initiatives align with the Master Plan. Hollie Williams volunteered that could still be lost to the public, compared with, for example, adding MPIC updates to the quarterly tax mailing insert.Andrew Shapiro said we can work with Dan Beckley and Sarah Brush, the (town's social media coordinator, to add more content to MPIC's existing page, or add something new.Andrew Shapiro suggested one approach would be a public-facing Google Drive where we could store documents that would be linked from our current page. Kelly Cormier recommended we use our quarterly report taxonomy. Before our next meeting,Andrew Shapiro will connect Sarah Brush with Jon Strauss, to have something in place for the MPIC to weigh in on. General Updates Andrew Shapiro outlined two project updates that will be discussed at tonight's Select Board meeting. Dan Beckley will provide an update on the Lake Cochichewick Watershed Protection project. The Route 125 Corridor Plan is on the agenda as well. We were successful in securing $75K grant has been obtained from the MA Housing Choice Program, in being deemed a Housing Choice Community. A consultant will be engaged to evaluate the downtown rezoning options. This speaks to elements in the Master Plan, both for transportation and zoning impacts. Jon Strauss asked if the MPIC should use its framework to understand the scope of the Route 125 Corridor Plan.Andrew Shapiro reminded us that MPIC does not influence or change any project, rather uses this framework to understand how each major effort supports the town's Master Plan. Kelly Cormier supported the framework process, as another source of information. Meredith Barnes-Cook observed that applying the framework ensures the MPIC has a common understanding of the scope of major town projects and how they support the Master Plan. The timing and approach will be discussed at the next MPIC meeting. Jon Strauss raised the possibility of also applying its framework to the Lake Cochichewick Watershed Protection project. Dan Beckley noted it arises out of some of the goals of the Master Plan. This idea will be on the agenda to continue discussing at the next MPIC meeting. Jay Dowd suggested all MPIC members revisit the mission statement to remain focused on its role, avoiding mission-creep as it pertains to activities like reviewing (versus evaluating) town projects. Adjournment Jay Dowd moved to adjourn at 6:21 pm and with a second by Kelly Cormier; all members voted in favor. Next meeting is scheduled for November 15, 2021 at 5:00 PM..