Stoddard planning board approves $12,500 contract with SWRPC to update master plan maps and data

The Town of Stoddard Planning Board voted on March 10 to hire SWRPC to update maps and statistics in the town’s Master Plan at a cost of $12,500.

The work, which board members said will refresh outdated data across sections of the plan, may be eligible for grant funding that would lower the town’s share to $10,000. The contract is expected to be billed in two installments, one in fiscal 2025–2026 and the remainder in fiscal 2026–2027; minutes note that funds are available in the 2025–2026 budget to cover the first payment.

Bob Maden, chair of the Planning Board, reviewed an initial Master Plan draft and said data updates are needed. The board discussed distributing a public survey modeled on the town’s 2005 Master Plan mailing; Jason Kovarik, the board’s selectmen representative, suggested the survey include a menu of desired types of economic development, and Bob and Vickie Williams said they would work on mailing the questions to residents. Rachael Leonard submitted a draft Recreation section noting prior public interest in a town beach; other sections under development include Transportation (Harry Powers) and Community Facilities (Randy McHale).

Jason Kovarik moved to approve the $12,500 cost for the SWRPC work; Randy McHale seconded the motion and it carried. The board recorded that the cost could be reduced with grant support but approved the full contract amount as presented.

Next steps: the board will finalize survey questions for mailing and coordinate the SWRPC work according to the two-installment schedule.