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Master Plan Implementation Committee reports broad progress; committee asks Planning Board to assume some responsibilities
Summary
The Master Plan Implementation Committee presented a biannual status update showing most master‑plan goals are in progress; committee recommended transferring some resiliency and natural‑resource responsibilities from the Select Board to the Planning Board and sought input on priorities.
Committee chair Deborah (Deb) DeMaria presented the Master Plan Implementation Committee’s biannual update to the Planning Board on Feb. 24, reporting that most master-plan goals are in progress or complete and that several theme areas — notably schools, recreation and some land‑use items — show measurable progress.
DeMaria said the committee has moved from quarterly to biannual reporting and has adopted a live tracker to crowdsource updates from members who attend multiple meetings. The committee’s dashboard identifies areas that are stalled or have not advanced since 2023, and the committee singled out natural resources and resiliency goals as lagging.
The committee recommended moving responsibility for several natural‑resources and resiliency recommendations from the Select Board to the Planning Board so those items receive more focused oversight. DeMaria said this reassignment is intended to accelerate action on items where momentum has slowed, and she asked the Planning Board for feedback.
Board members expressed appreciation for the committee’s tracking work and asked for additional detail before any formal transfer of responsibilities. Planning Board members said they support keeping sustainability work active but want clearer expectations about staff time and workload, and several members requested more discussion of how planning authority and resources would be aligned to implement the reassigned tasks.
Select Board member Sam Stivers, who was present, praised the townwide process used to produce the 2021 master plan and said integration with committees and staff has produced measurable results. Stivers encouraged the Planning Board to use the committee’s data to inform the Select Board’s annual priorities.
DeMaria said the committee will continue to refine its dashboard, increase outreach to boards and committees, and work with the Town’s conservation and DPW staff to address natural‑resource and resiliency tasks. The committee’s next step is to determine how to socialize the tracker so residents and new arrivals understand ongoing projects and accomplishments.
