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Dennis board approves July survey and outreach plan for master-plan update
Summary
The Select Board approved a three-week community survey (July 6–26), promotional materials and agreed on broad outreach tactics after a presentation from BSC Group about the local comprehensive plan, including an ArcGIS hub and a crowdsource map to collect location-based comments.
Adam Deschano, senior planner with BSC Group, presented the town’s local comprehensive plan process and public engagement tools, including an ArcGIS hub, a crowdsource map and a draft community survey the board is set to run this summer. Deschano said the project aims to produce a first full draft in May 2027, with a planning-board public hearing and an October 2027 town meeting target.
The firm described the crowdsource map as a mobile- and web-based tool that lets residents pin location-specific comments, upload photos and ‘like’ other submissions. “You can map an observation, choose a category like preservation or transportation, and submit; your comment should appear within a few minutes,” Deschano said.
Board members pressed about sample-size expectations and outreach methods. Deschano said communities of similar size often obtain 100–200 responses and sometimes far more when targeted outreach succeeds: “If you get over a 100 responses, like, that’s great,” he said. Members suggested promoting the survey on the town homepage, posting QR-code posters at libraries, distributing flyers at the transfer station, and working with local churches and community groups to broaden participation.
Several residents urged adding demographic questions and a village identifier so results can be analyzed by age and village. Julie Kenny of West Dennis said a village question would help ensure all neighborhoods are represented. Deschano confirmed the draft includes five demographic items and that the team will summarize response groups in a results dashboard.
The board voted unanimously to approve the survey dates (July 6–July 26), to add Paul’s proposed “Happiest place” question, and to approve the promotional flyer. The board also asked staff and the consultants to proceed with outreach planning and to post the crowdsource hub on the town master-plan landing page.
