Kingsboro creates Middlesex and Westford Road Visioning Committee, appoints Selectperson Marino

The Kingsboro Select Board voted unanimously to create a Middlesex and Westford Road Visioning Committee to craft a long-term strategic plan for the town’s principal commercial corridor.

Selectperson Nate Marino and Planning Board member Kristen Keegan presented the proposed charge, saying the committee will focus on zoning, infrastructure, walkability and design standards and pursue regional partnerships and grants where appropriate. Marino said the committee’s “ultimate goal is to implement a long-term strategic plan for Middlesex and Westford Road” that will guide future development and help the town attract businesses consistent with community character.

Board members discussed how the new committee should relate to existing bodies. Some members said the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) could be refocused or folded into the new committee; others recommended keeping the master plan implementation committee and the planning and zoning boards closely tied to this effort so the new work does not duplicate existing priorities. The town manager said staff will send the adopted charge — with a small edit to reference the master plan — to the planning and zoning chairs and advertise the resident and business representative slots.

The motion to establish the committee (amended to include a reference to the master plan) carried 5-0. The board then nominated Selectperson Nate Marino to serve as the select board’s representative; that appointment also passed 5-0.

What’s next: staff will ask the Planning Board and Zoning Board to appoint their representatives, advertise two resident-at-large and two business-representative openings, and expect a one-year initial work period with interim reporting back to the Select Board.