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Home My WebLink About2026-06-08 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Master Plan Implementation Committee Meeting Minutes June 8, 2026 Attending (in person): Jon Strauss (Vice Chair), Brian Roache, John Simons, Stan Limpert, Meredith Barnes-Cook, Hollie Williams, and Peter Koesterherm Absent: Amy Mabley, Al Manzi Staff: Andrew Shapiro (Assistant Town Manager/ Director of Community and Economic Development) and Samantha Carr (Staff Planner) Callll to Oirdeir Vice Chair Jon Strauss called the meeting to order with a quorum present. 11��)u lb 11 li c C o im im e iri t No public comments were offered and no emails had been received. Vote oiri of Cllialiir airid Vlice Clllaliir Mr. Shapiro opened nominations for Chair and Vice Chair. Brian Roache motioned to maintain the current slate of officers (Chair and Vice Chair). Holly Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Vote oiri A�p�pirovall olf IMIiiriultes The Committee reviewed the tabled minutes from March 9, 2026, and May 7, 2026. • March 9, 2026 Minutes & May 7, 2026 Minutes: Peter Koesterherm motioned to approve both sets of minutes via a dual motion. Stan Limpert seconded the motion. Meredith Barnes-Cook abstained. The motion passed (6-0-1). Airiirivall II I�Vlasteir 11��Illairi u u mio 000oa ofmiomoos ........ m0000i u iom ° o000 gy U��pdates Mr. Shapiro presented the draft Bi-Annual Master Plan Implementation Report and walked the Committee through the specific updates and additions made to individual strategy pages on the MPIC Implementation Website: • 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. Mr. Shapiro highlighted a new website update noting that on June 2, 2026, Samantha Carr and MVPC presented preliminary investigation materials to the Planning Board regarding a Chapter 40Y Starter Home Overlay District. Ms. Carr provided an overview of the suitability analysis, noting that the grant timeline runs through the fiscal year to draft a bylaw by next spring. Committee Discussion: Peter Koesterherm inquired about density parameters. Ms. Carr explained that Chapter 40Y requires a minimum density of 4 units per acre on underutilized sites rather than dedicated open space. Brian Roache suggested evaluating specific parcels like Kellsetter Farm or Roach Farm for densified single-family overlay housing due to their proximity to transit, schools, and existing single-family neighborhoods. • Strategy 13: Identify financial and staff resources to facilitate construction and/or preservation of affordable housing. Updated on the website to reflect the M H P technical assistance grant awarded to assist the ZBA with the Chapter 40B application at 0 Prescott Street, as well as the Housing Authority's repositioning process to project-based vouchers at McCabe Court. • Strategy 19: Create an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bylaw that would allow small accessory residential units. Referenced during discussion as a completed binary strategy. • Transportation: • Strategy 31: Evaluate sidewalk gaps and prioritize new sidewalks based on availability to connect residents to schools, activity centers, civic spaces, and recreation. Mr. Shapiro reviewed the newly added website update regarding a Commonwealth Community One Stop grant application submitted to construct a new concrete sidewalk with granite curbing along Prescott Street. • Strategy 36: Explore innovative ways to increase transportation services for seniors and enhance multi-modal connections. Updated with news that MassWorks out-of-round grant funding was secured to bridge an $800,000 shortfall for the Route 125 / Great Pond Road intersection project, allowing it to move to bid. o Strategy 55: Explore innovative ways to increase transportation services for seniors. Updated to reflect the FY27 CIP request for$141,000 for a new 14-passenger ADA van. • Historical, Cultural, and Natural Resources: o Strategy 68: Support open space organizations to create trail connections throughout North Andover., Strategy 72:Acquire or otherwise protect priority open space parcels from development as identified through the most current Open Space and Recreation Plan., and Strategy 84: Seek additional funding to preserve and maintain the Town's conservation lands and Lake Cochichewick by pursuing private funding sources... Mr. Shapiro reviewed updates confirming Town Meeting approval of$500,000 in CPA funding for the Barker Farm acquisition, holding a conservation restriction on 3+ acres, town acquisition of 2.8 acres on Carter Fields Road, and approval of 0 Great Pond Road. Committee Discussion: John Simons noted that Essex County Greenbelt has been working with the Barker family for over a decade to acquire and preserve the property, emphasizing its status as one of the oldest continuously operating farms in the U.S. and its critical role in watershed protection. Members noted that the town's $500,000 contribution successfully leveraged over$2.5 million in private donations and public funds. o Strategy 73: Promote historic preservation by updating guidelines, outreach, and local inventories. & Strategy 78: Develop a historic and cultural asset map to increase public awareness and access. Ms. Carr detailed four specific staff-led website initiatives: 1. Centralizing historic preservation resources and creating a decision-tree graphic on the town website. 2. Establishing formal administrative communication channels between MPIC and the Historical Commission. 3. Developing streetscape interpretive signage in the Old Center. 4. Digitizing updated MACRIS property inventory data into an interactive GIS web map with searchable address tools. Committee Discussion: Brian Roache suggested exploring transparent lithograph/photo overlay signage for historic streetscapes, allowing pedestrians to view historical perspectives overlaid directly onto current views. • Public Facilities and Services: • Strategy 85: Continue to prioritize the update, repair, and renovation of the Town's public buildings and schools as needed. Updated on the website to reflect Town Meeting approval of-$11 million in non-debt CIP projects (including a $1.3M DoER heat pump grant for the Senior Center annex), $79.8 million for the Kittredge Elementary School replacement, and $7.5 million for a third fire station. • Strategy 88: Support or expand resources to address the needs of residents suffering from substance abuse. Website updated to note the completion of the March opioid settlement funding strategic planning process. • Strategy 90: Continue to upgrade and replace aging pipes for sewer and water systems... Updated to show approved funding of$800,000 for lead service line replacements, $400,000 for sewer pump upgrades, and $650,000 for the Route 114 force main replacement. Committee Discussion: In response to a question from Peter Koesterherm regarding pump station upgrades, Mr. Shapiro explained the engineering plan to eliminate the Willow pump station in favor of a gravity sewer line while upgrading the Jasmine pump station, reducing long-term mechanical maintenance and power dependencies. • Strategy 93: Prepare and implement a long-term maintenance plan for existing fields and, if needed, identify locations and types for additional athletic fields. Updated with Town Meeting approval of$350,000 for High School athletic field improvements and $575,000 for Gallagher Field renovations. Vote oiri lMasteir ...........Airiirivall lMew The Committee discussed the formatting and presentation of the draft bi-annual report. Brian Roache suggested reorganizing duplicate project references so that key projects (such as 1591 Osgood Street or streetscape improvements) are listed once as primary headings with all corresponding strategies tagged beneath them, making the document more readable for the Select Board and Planning Board. Stan Limpert suggested re-inserting overall completion statistics (such as noting that approximately -92% of strategies have been completed or addressed) in the concluding summary. Meredith Barnes-Cook motioned to approve the Bi-Annual Master Plan Implementation Report pending the addition of the overall progress statistics and the requested structural/cosmetic consolidations. Brian Roache seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0 (Hollie Williams departed prior to the vote). Discussion of Additional Project Updates Mr. Shapiro provided brief updates on the ongoing ZBA review for the 0 Prescott Street Chapter 40B project and the preliminary design phases for the Route 114 corridor upgrades. Discuss and Agree to Next Meeting Date The Committee agreed to take a summer hiatus during July and August and scheduled the next meeting for Monday, September 14, 2026, at 6:00 PM (to align with the Select Board schedule). A dj'o u iriri im e iri Stan Limpert moved to adjourn, and Brian Roache seconded the motion. The vote was 7-0 in favor. The meeting adjourned.