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Consultant outlines timeline to update Sharons 10-year Plan of Conservation & Development
Summary
Janell Mullen told the Sharon Board of Finance the town must complete and submit its updated Plan of Conservation & Development to the State by October 2026; she said Planning & Zoning will lead the update and she will meet with local boards to set priorities and document responsibilities.
Janell Mullen of Janell Mullen Consulting introduced herself to the Sharon Board of Finance on Jan. 20 and outlined the process and timeline for updating the towns Plan of Conservation & Development, which must be completed and submitted to the State by October 2026 under state statute. She said the Planning & Zoning Commission is the lead body required to review and endorse development actions against the Plan.
Ms. Mullen described the Plan as a 10-year reference guide that will highlight strategies and name who is responsible for follow-up actions. She said she is meeting with boards, commissions and other interested groups to gather priorities and to align the Plan with existing ordinances and state statutes. She told the Board she has reviewed the towns 10-year capital plan and Cardinal Engineerings report, which helped her understand the fiscal sequencing of planned projects and the BOFs role in financing them.
Sharon Center School Principal Dr. OReilly thanked the BOF for hosting the Tri-Board meeting and called that session productive; Vice Chairman Fowler said the chairs of the BOF, Board of Selectmen and Board of Education plan to meet quarterly to keep communication lines open. Board members suggested Ms. Mullen attend the BOFs March meeting when budgets are presented, the public budget hearing and the meeting where the mill rate is set, so she can observe the process and hear public input before finalizing recommendations.
Board member Bartram urged the Plan to acknowledge the towns declining volunteer pool, noting that fewer volunteers, particularly in public safety, will put additional pressure on the municipal budget. Bartram also asked that the Plan address how the Minimum Budget Requirement interacts with the Board of Education budget in Sharon.
The Board did not take formal action on the Plan at the Jan. 20 meeting. Ms. Mullens participation in upcoming budget meetings and the timeline to submit the Plan to the State in October 2026 were the primary next steps identified.
