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Mayor names members to city’s first master plan steering committee; committee recommendation approved by subcommittee
Summary
The mayor named members to Gardner’s first master plan steering committee — a group required by state planning offices to guide consultant work and public engagement — and the Economic and Community Development Committee voted to recommend placing the communication on file.
The mayor presented a communication to the Economic and Community Development Committee identifying appointees to the city’s ad hoc steering committee that will oversee drafting Gardner’s first comprehensive master plan.
The mayor said the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and the Executive Office of Economic Development require cities’ master plan processes to have a steering committee to guide consultants and obtain resident feedback. He said Director Stevens will chair the committee and listed mayoral appointees: Eric Flint (planning board representative; conservation planner with the City of Worcester), Rebecca Marois (president and CEO, Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce), State Representative John Zlotnick, George Ouellette (retired housing developer and chair of the city housing authority), and Alexander Lucia (2022 Gardner High School graduate and local business owner).
The mayor said the appointees were selected to represent planning expertise, the business community, state perspective for grant access, housing development experience and youth/entrepreneur perspective for long‑term retention of graduates.
Council President Kosinskas appointed a council representative (Kosinskas) and the committee discussion included recognition that the steering committee will be required by the state programs mentioned. Councilor Tyrone moved to recommend placing the mayor’s communication on file, and Councilor Keith seconded. The committee voted by voice to recommend the appointment communication be placed on file.
Stevens and the mayor noted the steering committee will oversee work with two planning consultants (BSC Group and Barrett Planning Group) and that monthly steering‑committee meetings will be held. The mayor and Stevens said the master plan process will include drafting an economic development plan, a housing production plan, updates to two urban renewal plans and public hearings. They said state approval is required from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and the Executive Office of Economic Development for final adoption.
Ending: The committee recommended the mayor’s communication be placed on file and scheduled further oversight as the steering committee’s work proceeds.
