Planning board hears three-phase Master Plan approach, schedules follow-up

Mike Tardiff of the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission told the Salisbury Planning Board on April 6 that the commission recommends a three-phase Master Plan process, with phase one concentrating on housing and transportation chapters.

The board discussed how subsequent phases would be chosen "based on what the board would like to discuss next," Tardiff said, noting that each town’s plan evolves differently. Chair Loretta Razin asked which topics would follow the initial chapters; Tardiff said the commission starts with chapters that are becoming more pressing in the region.

Members debated whether to form a dedicated subcommittee to work on the Master Plan. Town Administrator April Rollins said Salisbury has not used a subcommittee in the past and that draft chapters had been circulated to other town boards and committees for consideration. Joe Schmidl, an alternate member, noted the Conservation Commission has previously requested that the town’s natural resources be mapped for inclusion in the Master Plan and said he was willing to help create such a map.

Board members discussed the length and scope of a public survey. Schmidl urged a longer survey period to capture more responses; Tardiff said the regional planning commission has been working to shorten surveys where possible. The board set a follow-up meeting for April 20 to continue Master Plan discussion and to advance phase-one work.

The discussion did not produce a formal motion to adopt the Master Plan phases; the board arranged to continue planning at the April 20 meeting.