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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-15 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Master Plan Implementation Committee, November 15, 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, Stan Lampert Absent: None Staff. Andrew Shapiro (Director of Community and Economic Development) 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 minutes of the October 2 , 2 21 meeting Chris Nobile moved to approve the minutes as submitted; seconded by Jay Dowd. Vote 8-0 in favor; motion passed. Old Business: A. Route 114 Corridor Improvements Project Jon Strauss confirmed that the Rte 114 Project presentation is on the town website, with many elements of the Master Plan incorporated into this project, especially non-vehicular improvements. Chris Nobile questioned if this should be incorporated into the Master Plan spreadsheet as a way to keep it visible. It was acknowledged that while there are many elements that intersect with the Town's master plan, this is a state project and not the municipality's and input will be limited. The plan does not currently address any changes to Royal Crest as that is not an approved plan and the DOT works with the current environment to improve the roads/intersections. Andrew Shapiro pointed out that there are many strategies within the Master Plan that are clearly aligned with the Rtel 14 project. Examples include cross walk frequency, sidewalk improvements, welcome and beautification along Rte 114 etc. Jon Strausse suggested that we analyze this project against the Master Plan to see where there are synergies similar to what has been done with other major town projects. The subcommittees will review to see how and if this project intersects with the various goals of the Master Plan. We will maintain the same framework that was applied to other projects: impact/no impact/neutral. B. Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Meeting of the CPC scheduled for December 9, 2021. The agenda has some of the Master Plan elements, including the Rail Trail. All are welcome to provide the town input as to what we should be investing in and what projects are viable. In the past, the CPC just took applications they are now having a forum to make suggestions and ask questions. New Business A. Website Andrew Shapiro shared his screen of the Master Plan elements and Jon Strauss explained that he has added a new column for status. On the MPIC webpage there will be a link to the spreadsheet and the new updated status. Jay Dowd suggested the spreadsheet could be more of a visual document and add color coding for the line items so one can easily detect what is complete, in progress or not yet started. This can serve as a way for the public to be assured that the Select Board is guiding the development of the town according to the Master Plan. Andrew Shapiro stated that he, Jean Enright and Dan Beckley suggested a spreadsheet with bullets as many strategies are not black and white. Many strategies can be marked as "complete" but will continue to evolve and be improvised upon, i.e. increased crosswalks in town. It can be difficult to confine to a single spreadsheet and perhaps a breakout of the different pieces of the plan to their own"page" so that it can be added to and adjusted as necessary. Jon Strauss went on to say as ongoing developments come about we can provide a list and continue to build out the page and provide links as support/justification the MPIC is meeting its goals. Stan Limpert suggested that we start to look at what is next for the MPIC priorities. Initially the members identified what we thought was most important or could be accomplished. The MPIC should go back and review the plan again to identify the next set of strategies. Chris Nobile agreed and pointed out that the MPIC should continue to review and make suggestions to the Select Board as representatives of the people what the Select Board need to be attentive to. It was agreed that the MPIC would go back and review the strategies to see if anything has changed, have any priorities or resources changed. The MPIC needs to start getting some of the information of completed strategies out to the town, and will look to Sarah to help with this. B. MPIC Notice to Others Andrew Shapiro suggested a piece of promotion, initially brought up by Hllie Williams, is to utilize the Town Newsletter that is currently distributed with the quarterly tax bill. This document and distribution already exists and could be an easy way to update the town as to projects that have been completed within the Master Plan. The subcommittees are to provide an update as to what is completed within their sections by the next meeting. This may require reaching out to various town employees for updates. C. Complete Streets Prioritization Dan Beckley confirmed that there is a meeting on the Complete Streets project looking for the public to comment on what should be in the plan. Once they know what streets should be included they can go and create a plan. Follow Ups: • Teams to conduct a quick breakout analysis of the Rte 114 project may impact their strategies • John Strausse to send link to the Master Plan and the Ric 114 Website • Teams to populate the new column of status update • Subcommittees to provide a list of completed strategies for distribution in the town's newsletter. Adjournment Chris Nobile moved to adjourn at 6:28 pm and with a second by Hollie Williams; all members voted in favor. Next meeting is scheduled for December 13, 2021 at 5:00 PM..