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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-08-24 Master Plan Advisory Committee Minutes Approved 9/7/2017 North Andover Master Plan Committee Meeting Minutes — August 24, 2017 Present: Norma Lochmann, Christina Minicucci, Diane O'Connor, Gary Sidell, Erin Stevens, David Stroh, John Watters, Tom Zahoruiko Absent: Scott Hammond Staff: Jean Enright, Eric Kfoury • The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. • There was a short discussion on how to deal with inquiries from the media and outside groups. The Committee determined that it was better to keep structure more informal and that individual committee members might be the go-between for the specific areas of the Master Plan that each will be tasked to lead. • The Committee accepted the offer of a public attendee, Stan Limpert, to prepare draft meeting minutes for the Committee to review and approve. Agenda Items 1. Meeting Minutes: The minutes for the August 10, 2017 were unanimously approved. Motion by C. Minicucci, Seconded by J. Watters 2. Public Engaaement Strategy and Community Outreach • Zoe Mathews, North Andover reporter for the Eagle-Tribune, was contacted by Town Staff about possible articles on the master plan activity, the first of which would introduce the Committee members and the process of soliciting community input. A second article would promote the first general public meeting to be held on November 2, 2017. • Brian Fraser from North Andover CAM was also contacted by Town Staff about a show on the master planning activity. Possible format for a show was discussed. B. Fraser indicated he would like to attend a subsequent meeting to get to know the group. • E. Stevens presented a draft press release for discussion, which included an introduction of the committee, information about the meetings, as well as the process. The draft release will be reworked to include some quotes from NAMPC Minutes 2 of 3 August 24, 2017 Committee members on what they see and what they're excited about and recirculated for review. • The Committee determined that press release should be issued soon with the intent that this occur at the beginning of the following week (August 28-30th). The press release should also be posted on the web site. • The Committee discussed alternative approaches to solicit public input, and how to deal with the results. This included whether it was best for the Committee to take whatever information the community wanted to provide, and organize and deal with it afterwards, as well as whether the Committee should offer some data that might be helpful for the public, so the information provided would be more focused. It was suggested that the information could be processed later, and summaries could be presented at subsequent meetings. Members thought it might also be helpful to explain why some ideas received were not incorporated. • The consultant team will be giving a presentation on November 2nd, and collecting and summarizing the information from the meeting. All ideas from the public expressed during the meeting should be passed on. The Committee can then decide how to deal with the results. The individual follow-up meetings could begin with the summary of inputs from the November 2nd meeting and facts gathered by the consultant. • Some points that deserve to be mentioned are that the last master plan was done almost twenty years ago and that the make-up of the current Committee itself seemed unique as none of its members serve on other town committees/boards, which is often the case. There was unanimous agreement that this might have new groups within the community feel motivated to attend the meeting. • N. Lochmann presented a revised MP community engagement and communications plan. Some ideas that were emphasized or added included: a. posting information on social media, including FaceBook, SnapChat, and InstaGram, especially with existing groups such as North Andover Moms; b. obtaining cost quotes for a banner and "lawn signs" announcing the November 2nd meeting; c. contacting as many of the town religious organizations as possible; d. notifying facilities for seniors, including the Senior Center, Ashland Farms, Brightview, Edgewood, and Meetinghouse Commons e. providing flyers and/or a table for information at the Farmers Market and/or the Fall Festival; f. contacting Cub, Boy, and Girl Scout groups; g. meeting with PTO presidents and attend all PTO meetings; and h. posting information at the Stevens Library. NAMPC Minutes 3 of 3 August 24, 2017 • It was suggested that the chairs of all the standing town boards and committees — Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Planning, Conservation, Zoning, etc. — should be contacted and given a statement, such as one of the press releases, to read at their meetings to inform that group, and their audience, of the public event. • Town Staff has closed the on-line Housing Survey. Over 350 responses from a diverse sample of North Andover residents responded. The results have been forwarded to both the consultant team and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission for analysis. This information will be part of the existing conditions report that the consultant team will present at the September 21St meeting of the Committee, as well as the November 2nd public meeting. • It was reiterated that the consultant team will come to the next Committee meeting on September 7th with a media kit and a description of the format and materials to be used at the public meeting. The Committee expressed the desire to get help from the consultant to approach Merrimack College, Brooks School, and North Andover High School. • In response to the Committee's request to understand the November 2nd meeting logistics, a site visit at the High School cafeteria (where the meeting will take place) will occur with the consultant team prior to the September 7th Committee meeting. 3. Public Comment: The floor was opened for public comment– no comments were offered. C. Minicucci made a motion to adjourn meeting; G. Sidell seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m. Next meeting: September 7, 2017 Meeting handouts: • Draft press release • Revised community engagement/communications plan