TEWKSBURY MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE

November 14, 2002

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm.  Members present were Frank Sweet, Sal Torname, Stephanie Wilkie, Nancy Reed, Joe Gill, Susan Duffy and Judi Barrett.

1. Approval of Meeting Minutes

The meeting minutes of October 24, 2002, were approved by a motion Gill and seconded by Reed.

2. Evaluate Public Forums

Sweet informed the committee and guests that the evening’s primary agenda was to discuss the data gathered from the two public visioning sessions.   Wilkie was given permission by the committee chair, Sweet, with the committee’s approval, to allow resident, Warren Carey to speak about a situation that occurred at the second visioning session.  Mr. Carey had attended the Nov. 9, 2002 public forum and in the opinion of the committee, began to monopolize the discussion that was taking place.  The consultant, Judi Barrett from COG, asked Mr. Carey twice  to give others a chance to speak, and explained that the forum agenda was to brainstorm issues and concerns, not a forum to explain why things were the way they were as Mr. Carey was attempting to do.   So as not to disturb the meeting,  Mr. Carey was taken out of the room by the consultant’s aide  to explain to him for the third time,  the ground rules for participation.  Mr. Carey stated that he thought that even though he did not have a problem about it at the time, that he would suggest that in any future public forums that if that situation arises again, that it be dealt with publicly so as not to be misconstrued by the general public.  The committee discussed the situation, apologized to Mr. Carey and stated that they would consider his recommendation in the future if needed.

Judi questioned if the committee felt that a third visioning forum was needed, and/or to think about if a third forum was held, did the committee feel that any new concerns would arise?  After discussion and some resident input, Gill motioned for not holding a third forum, Torname seconded, and the vote was unanimous.  But it was felt that the public should be notified of the preliminary results of the forums, and be given another chance to participate if they wished.  It was decided that Sadwick would draft a press release for the newspapers consisting of the 15 main goals (from page 4 of the draft working papers) that resulted from the public forums, with the offer for those that were not able to participate to be able to do so in writing to Sadwick by 11/25/02.  Sadwick will also post an abbreviated message re the same content of the press release for Channel 10. 

Sweet also suggested that Sadwick move forward with getting the Master Plan’s charter on the Community Development website, so that the general public understands what a Master Plan is, and what it isn’, with a link to M.G.L. re Master Plans.    In discussing outreach for the future, it was suggested that the committee utilize the Warrant in the Spring for a survey if more data is needed, to be prepared to have info available at the Annual Town Meeting re an update of the Master Plan and the committee meeting schedule, and to utilize the Town Manager’s newsletter that is mailed to all residents with a brief Master Plan update. It was also suggested that if Sadwick hasn’t done so already, to invite the school committee to participate in the Master Plan meetings.  The committee did thank School Committee member Joe Russell for being in attendance, and encouraged him and his fellow members to try to attend the Master Plan meetings in the future if possible. 

Reed and Duffy presented to the committee for their review and approval, a draft thank you letter for the public forum participants.  The intent is for Sadwick’s office to mail the letter to all of the participants and also include a Master Plan meeting schedule.   If the committee does not have any changes to the letter into Sadwick by 11/29/02, then Sadwick will work on getting the letter out the first week in December. 

The committee went over the draft working papers of the visioning sessions.  Judi stated that she still has to add the results of the small group activity that was done at the end of the session, but that for the most part, she has been able to frame the comments and suggestions into approximately 15 goals discussed on page 4 of the draft.  The committee’s “homework” will be to prioritize the fifteen goals on their own, and add any other issues that they feel is important, and get their prioritized list to Sadwick by the Monday, (Dec. 9),  prior to our next meeting on Dec. 12, 2002.    

3. Next Scheduled Meeting

The next meeting is Thursday, December 12, 2002 at the Tewksbury Police Station at 7pm.  Gill motioned for adjournment and was seconded by Duffy.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:27pm.