Councilors used the goals review to press for focused work on land-use issues: the North End DOT parcel, school-building planning and the town’s open-space targets.

One councilor said the North End parcel — described in the meeting as a 58‑acre DOT conveyance — remains a priority that deserves more prominence in the goals document. Members discussed the parcel’s constraints (approximately 300 feet of frontage on Route 10), prior RFP processes, and the possibility that the state could designate portions as open space; councilors asked for a map and clarification from the town’s legislative delegation about any planned requests to the state legislature.

On schools, councilors asked for a comprehensive study of Chapman, Darcy and Humiston properties, noting Humiston may soon need major capital work (including possible roof replacement and accessibility upgrades) and that a cost comparison of maintaining versus relocating school programs is needed.

Open-space planning also drew attention: a recent inventory cited roughly 23% of Cheshire land as protected open space (town, state, water-company and land-trust parcels). Members debated whether to set a town target (for example 25% or 30%) and noted deed restrictions and funding-source conditions may limit how some parcels can be used in the future.

Council directed staff to assemble more detailed maps, cost estimates and a recommended process (including neighbor engagement) to inform future decisions and any legislative requests.