Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Town Center Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning Board votes to back UTIL scope for town-center code work as grant window approaches
Summary
The Hamilton Planning Board voted unanimously March 9 to support UTIL's revised scope for town-center code and educational materials, clearing the way for the town manager to pursue grant opportunities; members urged quick work to produce public-realm graphics and select example parcels for a grant application before June deadlines.
The Hamilton Planning Board voted unanimously on March 9 to support a revised proposal from UTIL (listed as the "Town Center Code Additional Services, 3/10/2026") and to forward the request to the town manager for final action. The roll call recorded votes in favor from Pat Norton, Jonathan Poor, Amal Dalquist, Darcy Dale, Beth Her and Marty Crouch.
Board members said the UTIL scope — about $9,000 as presented — focuses on educational materials, a step-by-step code guide and public handouts rather than the full public-realm design work the board would also like to pursue. Members recommended using UTIL’s deliverables as workshop materials and asked staff to refine a grant-ready scope that would fund graphic design for public-realm improvements, sidewalks and targeted demonstration parcels.
"We have to jump on it," one member said referring to near-term grant deadlines, and the board asked staff to prepare a framework and a short list of example parcels to present at the next meeting. Suggestions included the north end of Willow Street (a wedge-shaped, deep parcel), Cumberland Farms and other deep rear parcels that could benefit from shared parking strategies.
The motion to support UTIL’s proposal passed by roll call; staff indicated the usual escrow and grant-preparation steps would follow. Members emphasized early engagement of consultants and preparing public materials in advance of grant deadlines (discussed as June 30 by members).
