Planning department reports progress on master-plan implementation; Fisher Street pedestrian bridge opens

Planning staff updated the board on master-plan implementation and recent department activity, highlighting several completed and in-progress projects.

Jenny Gingrich summarized work completed over the past year: zoning bylaw revisions to incentivize sustainable development in the Highway Business district, published sewer regulations addressing wastewater flow apportionment, expanded programming at the community center, a permitting guide for the building department, and the completion of a dog park (opened June 2025). Gingrich said the transportation plan is published online and that downtown zoning updates, the regional dispatch bid, the library addition, the Bowman culvert replacement and design for shared-use paths are at various stages of progress. The planning office has also completed an electric vehicle supply equipment assessment and is working on implementation.

Staff described outreach efforts: planning staff visited Hastings Elementary to engage third-grade students on transportation and safety and used maps and an activity to solicit responses about places students enjoy. Gingrich also reported a ribbon cutting for the Fisher Street pedestrian bridge, a MassDOT project linking Smithvale Parkway (near the train station) to Fisher Street; the bridge is open to the public and accessible from Smithvale Parkway and Fisher Street.

The report closes with logistics items — upcoming meetings and the cancellation of the Oct. 28 meeting due to trick-or-treat night — and the board adjourned.