Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
CantonMPIC_Minutes_072621_final
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Master Plan Implementation Committee Meeting July 26, 2021, 7-8:15 pm Zoom Meeting Present: Lisa Lopez (Select Board), Bob MacDonald (Conservation), Emilio Mauro (Finance), Kathy McCormack (Planning), Alan Rapoport (Economic Development), Sean Robinson (Citizen at Large), Laura Smead (Staff, Town Planner), Debby Stein-Sharpe (Walk Bike and Hike Committee Chair). Not Present: Kristian Merenda (Schools), Mike Nourse (Historical), Maureen Moran (Non-Vote Schools Alternate), (vacant) CCPC member MINUTES Item Discussion 1. Acceptance of Minutes Voted 5-0-0 to accept minutes from June 3, 2021 (Sean Robinson joined late). 2. Discussion of Top Master Plan Priorities – Strategic Framework Discussion on strategic framework worksheet, and liaison conversations • Laura Smead talked to Lisa Lopez and Sean Robinson about action items that she is the lead on. • Emilio Mauro discussed his action items with Gene Manning from the Economic Development Committee. Their conversations focused around zoning changes to Route 138, as well as continuing concerns on traffic along the corridor. Commuter or residential shuttles in the area, as well as continuing to advocate for infrastructure improvements with MassDOT are a priority. Fees for shuttles are a concern. Doing zoning changes sooner rather than later might incentivize the state to make infrastructure improvements sooner. He also discussed community outreach, and continuing virtual meetings or hybrid meetings in the future. • Laura clarified that members should enter their notes where they are the identified liaison. If they do go into another category, just enter their name in the notes column. • Kathy McCormack stated that she likes Zoom meetings • Lisa Lopez also agreed with the positive reasons for virtual participation. She feels it is the way of the future. She will be exploring best practices on this topic.
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• Laura Smead stated that she has the equipment necessary to do both virtual or hybrid meetings in the future for both Planning Board meetings. But there are costs, comfort levels, and staffing issues (training) involved. • Kathy McCormack talked to David McCarthy (Planning Board chair) about Rte. 138 zoning/re-zoning and adding mixed use nodes. • Laura Smead clarified that there are two detailed studies on Rte. 138 – one on economic development and one on transportation. We don’t have control over the transportation improvements. There would be two clusters of mixed use proposed at the top near Randolph Street, and down near Stoughton. We have a commuter shuttle pilot starting this fall in the Royall Street area. • Bob MacDonald asked if there were any sewer or water capacity limitations on Rte 138, Laura said there were no major concerns that she knew about and that it had sewer and water. • Alan Rapaport will meet with Laura as an action item lead to discuss his items. • Laura said if any member needs the sheet resent, or sent in some other format just let her know. • Sean Robinson asked if we should update the Google Sheet directly or Excel version. • Members should enter their notes on the Excel sheet with their name and email to Laura to enter into the Google Sheets. 3. Presentation by the Walk Bike and Hike Committee Presentation by the Walk Bike and Hike Committee (Debby Stein-Sharpe) on trail master plan (and other off-road trail) progress and priorities for 2021-22 • WBH Committee has received a $50k grant from the Community Preservation Committee and a $50k grant from the Appalachian Mountain club – totaling $100k – to do a preliminary design, including cost estimates and analysis – for Warner Trail extension through Canton to the Blue Hills • The land involved is owned by many parties. Some are already trails, but much is not. A lot pass through wetland areas – so it is complicated.
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• Laura and Debby are working on an RFP to hire consultants to determine Warner Trail extension through Canton. • Just working on this project alone – this will simultaneously help other Master Plan priorities and Trail Master Plan priorities. • Walk Bike and Hike also have a mapping subcommittee working with Kelsey Quinlan (GIS Coordinator) to have a better public trails map. • October will be a trail clean up work day (volunteers); and volunteers are being trained. • WBH is considering an “adopt a trail” program. • There is a challenge of coordinating across town departments and committees: conservation, planning, DPW, engineering, parks & recreation, schools, etc. It’s difficult to get their attention and effectively & efficiently use their resources. • Laura and Debby discussed how the original proposed route was aspirational and outlined by MAPC, however, the historic identified route went to Ponkapoag Pond. • Debby stated another possible spur would go down Greenlodge to the Rte 128 train station and Fowl Meadow. But there would be potential challenges if the I-95/I-93 interchange gets redone. • Emilio wonders if a working group would be helpful to assist with coordination. • Laura suggests restarting the quarterly meetings between Planning, Parks & Rec, and Conservation – and add in a member of the Walk Bike and Hike to the conversations. Laura thinks we don’t need a new committee or working group. She feels we could restart the staff meetings, and add in other stakeholder as needed. • Debby feels that it would be helpful to invite WBH Committee members (1 or 2) to the quarterly meetings – at least 1 or 2 a year. • Alan Rapoport asked about maintenance at the Farnham Connolly airport.
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• Debby stated that it is DCR property. Volunteer days have tried to address it – clean up – at least once a year. But maintenance has really fallen off. DCR is budget strapped. • Walk Bike and Hike offers their support of other initiatives as well, Laura mentioned that they are often listed as a supporting group or stakeholder on a lot of action items. 4. Proposed next steps Next steps for coordination/ priority action plan items; Liaisons for Action Item leads • Those who haven’t yet done their homework should do so • Fill out the grid if you haven’t already, and/or ask for the format you need • If you’ve done that – call up another action lead. • If you have no more action leads, please take on some of Mike Loughran’s action items – write initial in the notes section. • Laura will follow up to restart Open Space & Rec Plan/ Trails Master Plan. • Next meeting we will discuss zoning priorities for 2022 town meeting and invite David McCarthy to attend. 5. Proposed next meeting date(s) Discussion of next meeting date(s), time(s) • Group agreed to meet next September 9th at 7pm, via Zoom.