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Lakeville committee introduces town administrator, hears updates on housing plan, PDAs and water infrastructure
Summary
The Town of Lakeville Master Plan Implementation Committee introduced newly hired town administrator Andrew Sukhforth, approved meeting minutes, and discussed updates to the housing production plan, priority development/protection areas, water-supply mapping and a $250,000 sidewalk grant for Aswanza Elementary School.
The Town of Lakeville Master Plan Implementation Committee on Dec. 18 introduced the town—s new town administrator and reviewed several implementation items related to the master plan, including the housing production plan, a state-funded update to priority development and protection areas (PDAs/PPAs), water-supply capacity, and a sidewalk grant for Aswanza Elementary School.
The committee opened with roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance, then introduced Andrew Sukhforth as a new member and identified him as the town administrator. Sukhforth said he had observed recent meetings and offered to help implement the master plan. The committee approved minutes for Aug. 20, 2024, and Oct. 7, 2024; an abstention was recorded on the Oct. 7 approval.
Members received an update on the town—s 2024 housing production plan, which is now posted online; a small number of printed copies were circulated for members who prefer paper. Committee members also reviewed a state-funded update to PDAs and PPAs—the first comprehensive revision since 2013—and discussed a regional workshop scheduled later in the month. Participants noted some difficulty locating a map legend and sought clarification on which colors signified protection versus development priorities.
The committee agreed to invite the town—s new planner, Nancy Durfee, who starts Jan. 6, to the next regular meeting so staff can outline ongoing tasks and ensure the planner is familiar with master-plan priorities. Members tentatively scheduled the next meeting for Feb. 18 and discussed whether to allow additional time for Durfee to settle into the role.
Water-supply capacity and infrastructure drew detailed discussion. Committee members asked how municipal water lines and existing allotments influence development, citing roughly 210,000 gallons (as described in committee remarks) and references to a higher, roughly 300,000 figure tied to neighboring Taunton. Members asked staff to request a GIS map from Taunton showing pipe and hydrant locations to better understand loops, dead-end runs and connections that affect capacity and growth. Members also discussed the role of the select board in allocation approvals.
Under other business, a member reported updating the implementation matrix to mark completed projects and those still in progress. The committee flagged a sidewalk project for Aswanza Elementary that had a $250,000 grant noted in the matrix; members asked staff to confirm whether that grant needs to be resubmitted and to verify the status of the town—s Americans with Disabilities Act transition plan, which committee members said is posted on the town website. Staff was asked to follow up and update the website.
The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn at 6:23 p.m., which the committee approved.
Next steps noted by the committee include inviting the new planner to the Feb. 18 meeting, clarifying map legends for PDAs/PPAs, requesting a GIS water-infrastructure map from Taunton, and confirming the sidewalk grant and ADA transition-plan status. No formal policy votes or ordinance decisions were taken at the meeting.
