TEWKSBURY MASTER PLAN
COMMITTEE
October 10, 2002
The meeting was called to order at 7:07 pm. Members present were Frank Sweet, Sal Torname, Steve Sadwick, Nancy Reed, Joe Gill, Stephanie Wilkie, Susan Duffy and Judi Barrett.
Discussed the format of the upcoming visioning meetings/public forums scheduled for 10/24/02, 7-9pm at the Senior Center, and 11/09/02, 1:30-3:30pm at the Library. Judi discussed how she has conducted the meetings in the past, and the pros/cons of having two identical meetings on each of the dates, vs having one meeting in which “Part 1” is conducted on the first date, and “Part 2” is conducted on the second date. It was decided that each of the public forums would be identical, following the same agenda, but that anyone was welcome to attend both if they desired.
The Master Plan Committee will be “in charge” of the public forum, with the consultant (COG), conducting the workshop, and Committee members jumping in as needed. Sweet will open up the forum with a welcome, some comments, and set the ground rules. The public forums will begin with a visual presentation. COG will then brainstorm with the attendees on “S.W.A.T”, Strengths, Weaknesses, Assets/Opportunities, and Threats, to our Town, to get list of ideas which will be put up on flip chart pages around the room. Those ideas will be ranked to be discussed in smaller break out groups, who will report out later to the larger group on the topic they were given to discuss. As the larger group reconvenes, the discussion will continue until the group begins to lay out a “skeleton” vision statement.
Regarding publicizing the forums, Sadwick will ensure the public forum information is on Channel 10, on the website, and on the outdoor sign across from Town Hall. Wilkie will submit press releases to the Advocate and Crier for immediate publication. Duffy will draft a flyer to be reviewed and approved it by the Committee, prior to distribution in various neighborhoods and locations. Duffy will provide the copy paper and Gill gave approval for Duffy to copy off 1000 flyers at the Selectmen’s Office.
The Committee’s responsibilities for each of the public forums will be to arrive one hour early, if able, to help set up. Reed and Duffy will take care of the refreshments. The Committee will then meet one half hour prior to the start of the forum to discuss individual responsibilities during the forum.
Judi Barret discussed COG’s review of NMCOG’s build-out study completed in 2001. (See COG’s draft Technical Paper #1, titled, “ Review of Tewksbury Build-Out Study). COG took a “neutral stance” in interpreting NMCOG’s work, and felt that NMCOG’s study was a “reasonable estimate of Tewksbury’s development potential”. Judi explained
how the study does appear to have some incorrect and/or missing data, and since the accuracy of GIS is based on how good the data is, there may be some reserve development potential, especially in Commercial/Industrial, as a result. There are issues in the Open Space data with regards to the Tewksbury State Hospital, and also differences in the zoning data set NMCOG used as compared to the Town’s most recent zoning map. Additionally, wetlands may have been included in the study as developable land. Another assumption the state made in their methodology is that all MA towns were in compliance with Chapter 40B. That would have a great impact in that in NMCOG’s conclusions there is no provision for additional homes that may be developed by comprehensive permits. Judi then went on to do a mini presentation on GIS, so the Committee could see how GIS works and to understand how inaccurate data, will result in inaccurate maps. Judi does feel that NMCOG’s build-out numbers are a bit conservative, and the committee agreed as well. COG will continue to review the study further with updated data.
The Committee agreed to having Sadwick post the Committee’s meeting agendas and minutes on the Community Development Website. The meeting minutes of 09/17/02 were approved in a motion by Gill and seconded by Reed.
The next meeting will be at 6:30pm on Thursday, October 24th, prior to the first public forum at the Senior Center. Gill motioned for adjournment, Wilkie seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at 9:00pm.