Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Town seeks contracted planner to update decades-old comprehensive plan and support waterfront, climate and grant work
Summary
The presenter proposed a contracted planner (RFP for a consultant; estimated $60,000) to provide planning analysis, grant writing and community engagement and to help update the town—omprehensive plan last revised in 2007/2008.
Budget staff told the committee they will issue an RFP for a contracted planner to work side-by-side with town staff on high-priority projects and to update the comprehensive plan.
The presenter described the proposed planner as a contract position (consultant rather than a town hire) estimated at roughly $60,000 and approximately 20—20—230 hours per week. Responsibilities listed included planning analysis, process facilitation, project support, grant writing and management, communications, community and stakeholder engagement, and GIS/mapping support. Staff said hiring a consultant avoids full-time benefit costs such as health insurance.
The presenter noted major projects that would benefit from planning support, including waterfront scoping and design, a saltwater intrusion study, a water-treatment project and hazard mitigation. "The comprehensive plan is what was it 2008 2007 I might be wrong on that but it is old and it needs to be updated," the presenter said, arguing that a planner would help lead community involvement on a rewrite.
Next steps: staff will prepare an RFP and bring it to the board; the select board and planning board would both be involved in the update process. Funding for the consultant was included in the planning and CEO line-item for the draft budget and will be reviewed in detail at follow-up budget meetings.
