Norfolk Planning Board assigns members to master‑plan implementation working groups

The Norfolk Planning Board on Tuesday assigned board members to lead five implementation working groups created to carry out the town’s master plan, with the board favoring a series of short‑term working groups (rather than standing subcommittees) to encourage community participation.

Planning staff described the approach and asked each board member to take ownership of a category. The group assignments proposed and accepted were: Dan Sieg — infrastructure and resiliency; Chris Montfort — municipal operations and facilities; Gary Sullivan — economic development; and one member to lead town‑center revitalization. Board members discussed how the working groups will differ from subcommittees, noting that working groups can be more flexible and allow residents to join for finite tasks without triggering subcommittee rules under open‑meeting law.

The board agreed to report the implementation approach to the Select Board in August and to return with charters describing each working group’s scope and liaison roles. Members said the format is intended to expand community participation while keeping implementation accountable to the planning board.