The Planning Board reviewed and updated a list of 16 annual goals intended to guide work through the coming year, including items to improve town mapping, zoning clarity and interboard coordination.

Key goals the board discussed: (1) map and track buildable land area (a "safe-harbor" calculation to support housing and 40B/40R analyses); (2) complete a zoning map review to ensure overlay districts (marijuana, water-resource protection) and FEMA floodplain layers are reflected accurately; (3) pursue a senior-housing overlay discussion after an earlier developer presentation; (4) finish a five-year review of planning rules and regulations (the town has procured Sherpa/CERPED assistance and a technical assistance grant); (5) continue work on the 40R/40B/Chapter 40A compliance process submitted to the state; and (6) increase communications with other boards and committees including CPA and the Conservation Commission.

Board members flagged possible consultant needs and suggested looking to Bridgewater or local university GIS classes for assistance due to the town's limited in-house GIS capacity. Members also discussed scheduling an interdepartmental meeting or a combined meeting with CPA and Conservation to improve collaborative review of large projects, in particular projects subject to 40B.

The board placed a number of items as "ongoing or completed" where outside consultants or state filings were already in process (priority protection and development-area mapping, the 40R submission). Members asked staff to prepare a condensed status update to share with the master-plan committee and to add a monthly brief from the Sherpa/CERPED representative.

Why it matters: The goals set the agenda for zoning updates, mapping work needed to calculate buildable land and safe-harbor thresholds, and coordinated review of large housing projects. Those steps could affect the town's compliance with state housing programs and future zoning warrant articles.

What happens next: Staff will refine the goal list, seek cost estimates or grant sources for GIS and mapping work, coordinate with Sherpa/CERPED, and provide a status update to the master-plan committee.