Planning staff outlines fire station timeline; board narrows master‑plan priorities and authorizes consultant briefing

Planner Alec updated the board on the Fire Station Building Committee, saying the project team expects preliminary filings as early as fall and formal site‑plan submissions and hearings to follow from fall into winter. He recommended the board plan for three public hearings to meet the 65‑day decision timeline and suggested a predevelopment meeting with the design team and peer reviewer to refine the submission.

Alec told members that if the town files for site‑plan approval it is preferable the municipality secure ownership of the property first; otherwise the property owner may sign the application. He said he will present a filing schedule at the board’s next meeting and continue coordinating with the project’s consultant and working group.

The board then reviewed an abridged list of master‑plan action items focused on tasks where the planning board is the lead. Alec said he would filter the master‑plan matrix to the 12 planning‑board lead items and update the board on which items were completed during the 2022 recodification; he offered a two‑week turnaround for an initial prioritization packet.

Board members asked for targeted briefings on engineering and design items (stormwater triggers, low‑impact design and subdivision roadway widths). To that end the board moved and approved a motion authorizing up to $500 from the planning‑board consulting budget to bring in consultant Sue Carter for a short presentation and review. Roll‑call votes were unanimous.

Alec also said he plans to ramp up responsibilities for Associate Planner Ian Gilson on administrative filings so Alec can focus on policy work and public engagement for large projects.