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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-07 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Master Plan Implementation Committee Meeting Minutes May 7, 2026 Attending: (in person): Jon Strauss (Vice Chair), Brian Roache, John Simons, Stan Limpert, Peter Koesterherm, and Amy Mabley Absent: Hollie Williams, Meredith Barnes-Cook, Al Manzi Staff: Andrew Shapiro (Assistant Town Manager/Director of Community and Economic Development) and Samantha Carr(Staff Planner) Call To Order Vice Chair Jon Strauss called the meeting to order and noted those who were present for the meeting, consisting of a quorum. Mr. Shapiro introduced Samantha Carr, Staff Planner. Ms. Carr provided a brief overview of her background. Public Comment No public comments were offered and no emails had been received by Mr. Shapiro. Vote on election of Chair and Vice Chair The Committee collectively decided to table this item in light of the Chair not being present. *At this point, John Simons arrived. Vote on approval of March 9 2026 minutes Jon Strauss motioned to table the minutes. Amy Mabley seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0; The motion passed. Old Business: Continued discussion of updates on Master Plan strategies that have been made on the MPIC Mr. Shapiro covered the following updates to Master Plan strategies: • Housing, Strategy 10: Review the recommendations from the Merrimack Valley Regional Housing Plan for consistency with the Master Plan. Prioritize recommendations that overlap both plans. o The Planning Department has taken preliminary steps in cooperation with MVPC to investigate the implementation of a "Starter Home" District. Planning Department staff will work with MVPC to present the parameters of this state-enabled program and areas of town that could potentially accommodate a district to the Planning Board. The effort aligns with the following strategy in the Town's Housi Or Production Plan: Investigate models for the creation of"starter homes" that are "right sized". Ms. Carr noted that the district would require a density of at least 4 units per acre. • Economic Development, Strategy 20: Focus business attraction efforts on opportunities which are consistent with the character of the community and which can be reasonably supported in appropriate locations within the Town. o In April of 2026, opened at 80 Chickering Road. • Economic Development, Strategy 23: Look for opportunities to enhance visitation to the downtown area through special events and activities (such as the farmer's market). o The Town, through its Community/Economic Development and Planning Departments, plans to partner with the Merrimack Valley Plannin (MVPC) on a community planning grant application through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' One Stop for Community Growth program that will examine opportunities to activate public spaces and integrate public art in the downtown and historic mill area. Mr. Limpert asked about the Town's current public art program. Mr. Shapiro responded, noting that the Town does not have a formal program and that most of what would be considered public art in North Andover are plaques and monuments. He continued by noting that other communities have more formalized public art programs that set up Public Art Commissions and have strict programs for what type of installations can go into certain areas. • Transportation, Strategy 55: Explore innovative ways to increase transportation services for seniors. o The Town's fiscal year 2027 capital improvement plan calls for $141,000 to procure a new ADA accessible 14 passenger van for the Senior Center. • Historical, Cultural and Natural Resources, Strategy 72:Acquire or otherwise protect priority open space parcels from development as identified through the most current Open Space and Recreation Plan. o The Town Submitted the following fiscal year 2027 applications to the Community Preservation Committee for funding,both of which have been advanced for a vote at Annual Town Meeting in May of 2026,with favorable recommendations from the Planning Board, Select Board, and Finance Committee: ■ LA re uest o n of Barker Farm by the Essex Count Greenbelt Association. 23 acres are situated in Boxford,with the remaining 11 residing in North Andover. Greenbelt proposes to own approximately 31 acres of the total area, of which 22 acres would be leased for farming/sustainable agriculture purposes. The Town would hold a conservation restriction on a little more than three(3) acres (would be used for farmland access); it is also proposed that the Town acquire 2.8 acres on the south side of Carter Fields Road for conservation purposes. Mr. Simons noted that Essex County Greenbelt has been in touch with Barker family on the potential to acquire this property for over 10 years. The farm is one of the oldest continually operating farms in the United States. The acquisition is valuable for not only open space preservation but also watershed protection. • Historical, Cultural and Natural Resources, Strategy 84: Seek additional funding to preserve and maintain the Town's conservation lands and Lake Cochichewick by pursuing private funding sources, such as corporate partners, university research projects, or creating an open space improvement fund developers can pay into. o For fiscal year 2027,the Town requested 500 000 in Communit Preservation Act J .................X fundini by the Essex C2RELy Greenbelt Association. 23 acres are situated in Boxford,with the remaining 11 residing in North Andover. Greenbelt proposes to own approximately 31 acres of the total area, of which 22 acres would be leased for farming/sustainable agriculture purposes. The Town would hold a conservation restriction on a little more than three(3) acres (would be used for farmland access); it is also proposed that the Town acquire 2.8 acres on the south side of Carter Fields Road for conservation purposes. These funds will leverage over$2.5 million in additional funding from private and other public funding sources. • Public Facilities and Services, Strategy 85: Continue to prioritize the update, repair, and renovation of the Town s public buildings and schools as needed. * The Town's proposed fiscal year 2027 Capital Improvement Plan totals approximately $10.7 million in non-debt funded projects, including: -Updated 5/7/2026 * $1.3 million to move and install modular classrooms from the Kittredge School to the Franklin School. * $250,000 for field maintenance o $50,000 for upgrades to the Cyr Recycling Center o $60,000 for upgrades to Town Hall's parking area o $100,000 for town wide playground improvements o $125,000 for masonry/foundation repairs at school buildings o $125,000 for repair of the Atkinson gymnasium ceiling and acoustics o The Town also proposes to borrow or transfer from available funds, for the following projects: o $79.8 million for demolition of the existing Kittredge Elementary School and building a new school facility. The Massachusetts School Building Authority will reimburse the Town approximately$29.2 million for eligible project costs. o $7.5 million to build a new,third, fire station at Berry Street and Route 114. o $2 million to build a new fueling station at the Department of Public Works. Mr. Roache asked if the fueling station would be funded through debt. Mr. Shapiro said that it would. • Public Facilities and Services, Strategy 89: Complete the Stormwater Management Plan and make improvements and replacements where necessary. o The Town's fiscal year 2027 Capital Improvement Plan calls for$350,000 to address culvert and drainage projects. • Public Facilities and Services, Strategy 90: Continue to upgrade and replace aging pipes for sewer and water systems, including evaluating possible expansion capabilities to residents that are not currently served by sewer and water infrastructure with a specific focus on protecting the drinking water supply. o The o 's proposed fiscal year 2027 capital improvement l calls for: ■ $800,000 to address lead service line replacements and water main replacements ■ $400,000 for sewer pump station improvements and sewer collection system improvements ■ $650,000 for a sewer force main replacement on Route 11 • Public Facilities and Services, Strategy :Prepare and implement a long-term maintenance plan for existin gfields and, if needed, identify locations and types for additional athletic fields. o The following projects sought and were recommended to receive fiscal year 2027 community preservation act funding: ■ $35000 to liMpLove the baseball and softball fields at North Andoveri including four modular dugouts, elevated bleachers, and a new scoreboard. o $575,000 to renovate Gallagher Fieldand its parking area. New Business Jon Strauss inquired about providing an updated report to the Select Board and Planning Board. Mr. Shapiro acknowledged that the Committee should provide another report and that he would prepare one for the Committee's consideration at its next meeting. Discussion of additional project updates as time allows • Downtown Streetscape Improvements Mr. Shapiro provided an update on the Town's Downtown Streetscape Improvements project. He noted that the project is nearing 25% design. The Town conducted a survey to gain insights on how to approach safety and pedestrian enhancements. Mr. Shapiro covered the results of that survey with the Committee. Discuss and agree to next meeting date The Committee agreed to meet next on Monday, June 8, 2026 at 6pm. Adjournment: Stan Limpert moved to adjourn, and Brian Roache seconded. The vote was 6-0 in favor.