Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Growth Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bridger residents’ survey draws 120 responses; draft growth policy proceeds to planning board
Summary
A town survey closed in late October with 120 responses; respondents prioritized infrastructure, youth services and community services. Town staff and consultants say a first draft of a growth policy is complete and will enter public review and planning-board consideration before a 30‑day public comment period.
A public comment at the Dec. 9 Bridger Town Council meeting prompted an update on a community survey that will feed the town's growth policy. Angela Gettel of the Lagerish Community Foundation told the council the mailed survey closed at the end of October and received 120 responses.
"We had a 120 responses in total, which is actually really good," Gettel said, noting unusually engaged open‑ended answers. She summarized respondent demographics and priorities, saying about 80% of respondents were over 45, roughly 25% work in Bridger, many respondents live in single‑family homes and roughly half have lived in town more than 20 years.
Gettel said the top priorities residents ranked for the next five years were infrastructure first, youth services (including after‑school programs) second, and community services such as law enforcement, health care and the library third. Respondents also emphasized reinvesting in existing commercial buildings rather than building new commercial space, and highlighted demand for a local pharmacy and more family‑friendly gathering places.
The consultant said staff have drafted goals, objectives and strategies and produced a first draft of the growth policy. "We pretty much have a 1st draft done," Gettel said, describing the upcoming process: the planning board will review the draft, issue a recommendation by resolution as required by statute, the council will draft a resolution of intent, and a typical 30‑day public comment period will follow before any adoption vote.
Council members and staff said they expect the final steps (public notices and hearings) to take several more months. The town plans to post the survey results for public review; Gettel said there is a version that includes contact emails (kept internal) and a public version without personal data that will be available on the town website.
Next step: planning‑board review of the draft growth policy, a required resolution recommending council action, and a public comment period before the council considers adoption.
