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Brookfield Planning Board adds $10,000 to draft budget for master plan
Summary
The Brookfield Planning Board voted to add $10,000 to the draft fiscal budget to fund a town master plan. Members said the funding secures professional help if the board cannot complete an updated plan internally; the board will seek regional and attorney guidance on scope and implementation.
The Brookfield Planning Board voted to add $10,000 to its draft budget to hire professional help for a town master plan. The motion to include the funding was moved during the meeting and the board voted in favor; the chair announced the motion carried and the updated draft budget total was stated as $16,500.
Board members said the additional funding is intended to support a formal master plan process rather than ad hoc updates. One member noted they would first try to do much of the work in‑house and, if necessary, seek assistance from regional planners (identified in discussion as the Stratford Region) and buy consultant time on an hourly basis rather than commit the entire sum immediately.
The board discussed budget line items that would cover salaries, planning and development, public notices, dues and workshops, and potential legal expenses. Members also clarified that any unspent budgeted funds would reduce the tax burden at year end rather than automatically carrying forward.
The board recorded a motion and second to add the $10,000 line item and took a roll‑call style verbal vote in which multiple members said “Aye.” The chair confirmed the motion carried.
Next steps: the funding will be included in the draft budget presented for further review and the board said it will report back at future meetings with more specifics on how consultant time will be used, how much will be hourly vs. project fee, and whether regional assistance will be engaged.
