04/19/2023 PLANNING BOARD Minutes

Home Browse Search

16 Great Neck R,oadNorth Nashyee, Massachusetts 02649 Ms. Faulkner: Yes, Mr. Fulone: Yes, Ms. Waygan: Yes LOCAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Summary of public opinion survey and community engagement workshops/events Mr. Lehrer stated the written summaries from every engagement are in the packet this evening, including the workshop from early January. In preparation for their next meeting with Weston & Sampson on May 17th he would like to go over some key takeaways from the process. Most notably, people's interests are in protecting and preserving water, ensuring residents have access to affordable and attainable housing, preservation of small town character, maintaining rich heritage and a vibrant economy, and remaining firmly rooted in rivers and other water bodies. He kept this in mind while drafting the Vision Statement and proposed goals, policies, and actions for consideration. He has this available to project on the overhead if needed. The charts from Survey Monkey do not look great so he is working with Weston & Sampson to make them more legible. He noticed the Economic Development portion is rather light. He has some findings and comments from business owners that he can expand on for that section. (Mr. Balzarini entered the meeting). Ms. Waygan wants all charts sent to Board members again. She also noticed there were very few comments regarding Economic Development. She has a copy of the Visitor's Guide that the Chamber puts out yearly. There was some excellent commentary from the new Executive Director of the Chamber, Superintendent of schools, and Tribal Chairman regarding the new Town Seal. She handed a copy to Mr. Lehrer to give to Weston & Sampson for consideration. She compiled a draft of other comments from the survey results with 620 respondents. In the question about rating quality of life, 90% of respondents stated it was good or very good. In the next question about quality of life improving, staying the same, or getting worse, 57% answered it stayed the same, while 30% said it got better, and 20% said it had gotten worse. However, in the comments section, when people answered it got better, their comment reflected a negative answer. A number one reason why it improved was goods and amenities, like shopping, entertainment, and services, and that Economic Development piece is right there. There was also mention of the age groups that represented the majority of the answer pool. Mr. Balzarini stated there was not one mention about the school system. Mr. Lehrer stated 50% of the survey takers were 60+ years of age while 25% were younger than 60 years old.