Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text

12-09-21 MPIC

Master Plan Implementation Committee · Source meeting date: 2021-12-09 · Record 74920

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Master Plan Implementation and Finance Committee Joint Meeting 
December 9, 2021, 7-8;30 pm 
Zoom Meeting 
• Present: Master Plan Implementation Committee Members - Lisa Lopez (Select Board), Emilio Mauro (Finance), Kathy 
McCormack (Planning), Alan Rapoport (Economic Development); School Committee Non -Voting Alternate: Maureen 
Moran; Staff: Laura Smead, Town Planner; Finance Committee members - Tim McKenna (Chair), Cindy Thomas (Vice 
Chair), Dan Cole, Emilio Mauro, Kristian Merenda (Schools) 
• Not Present: Master Plan Steering Committee Members - Bob MacDonald (Conservation), Mike Nourse (Historical), 
Sean Robinson (Citizen at Large), (vacant) Community Preservation Committee representative; Finance Committee 
members - David Clough, Reuki Schutt, Thomas Emery, Karen Foley, Vacancy 
MINUTES 
1. Introductions 
a. The chair welcomed everyone and introduced everyone (see list above) 
2. Discussion of Master Plan and implementation process 
a. The Town Planner showed the Canton Master Plan Implementation Committee FAQ and described its 
background and importance. 
b. The MPIC discussed how the overall Action Plan had been broken down into a strategic framework for 
the next S years. 
c. These documents are attached. 
3. Discussion of shared priorities with Finance Committee 
a. The group described and discussed the summary Finance Committee and Master Plan shared priorities. 
See document attached. 
b. The Master Plan is a prism in which to view funding requests for the Finance Committee 
c. They discussed how the documents are available on the web - war{w.cantonrnast_erpllan.com 
d. The Finance Committee agreed that reviewing the Master Plan was important for members who had not 
yet done so 
e. There are a lot of summaries, graphs, and maps on the website as well (short form) 
f. Emilio pointed out in the Appendix there is also a lot of information on stakeholder engagement and 
community workshops 
g. Lisa underscored that reviewing the Master Plan is very revealing and interesting and worth the time to 
understand the community (demographics, drivers of economic development, and changes) — and 
encourages everyone to take a couple hours to read it 
h. Cindy missed the link to the materials. Laura said she would resend the information. 
I. Alan asked if any ARPA dollars were being considers for upgrades to the schools or purchase of Saint 
Gerard. 
j. It was discussed that about $3.5 million of $7 million in anticipated ARPA dollars could be counted as 
revenue replacement, in which case, the Select Board has a lot of discretion in how that money is spent. 
k. Otherwise, there are distinct categories that are eligible expenses for ARPA funds. 
I. Different departments, including the schools, have made asks for ARPA funds. 
m. There are no plans on using ARPA funds for the purchase of Saint Gerard's church.

n. All ARPA fund spending has to be documented and reported on. 
o. There was a discussion about moving beyond just ADA requirements as a priority, as a matter of 
wellbeing and accessibility. There was agreement about that as a priority, and recognizing the diversity 
of abilities and disabilities, and trying to be welcoming to all. 
p. There was concern that the Commission on Disability was not meeting regularly, but was listed as a lead 
on the Master Plan in this area. 
q. There was discussion about whether there was dollar amounts and timing on various priorities. 
r. The Master Plan does put timing on priorities, but dollar amounts are difficult to quantify in the Master 
Plan — but rather something that will be determined as projects emerge. 
s. Laura said that line items often require subplans and further study to determine cost estimates. 
t. Not everything can be done in one year. The Master Plan focuses on 4-5 priorities for each year. The 
Master Plan is somewhat front -loaded on short-term items, and realistically not all short-term priorities 
will be accomplished in the 5 years and will go on to the middle years. 
u. There is an opportunity for prioritizing shared priorities across boards and committees in order to move 
them forward. 
v. There was a discussion about how the Master Plan Implementation Committee could report out to the 
community. The MPIC needs to determine whether or not they can put something in the Annual 
Report, the Town Meeting warrant, and possibly a report out at Town Meeting, which would be ideal. 
At a minimum, a presentation to the Select Board would be appropriate. The fact that the Master Plan 
was funded at Town Meeting might mean that the Committee could present at Town meeting, 
according to one of the first articles usually presented. 
4. Update on ATM 2022 Zoning Articles 
a. The Town Planner gave an overview of the articles for ATM 2022: 
I. The Flood Plan Overlay District article will be delayed, because the map change is delayed by a 
year 
ii. There are a few articles related to updating parking regulations to best practices 
iii. There are two housekeeping articles to remove out of date overlay districts 
iv. There are three articles related to establishing a new Commercial Mixed -Use district on Route 
138, defining the bylaws for the district and adding dimensional requirements 
v. There are two additional housekeeping articles to fill in the Table of Use and Definitions 
comprehensively as related to the previous articles presented 
5. Acceptance of Minutes — minutes were accepted 5-0-0 with no discussion or changes. 
6. Proposed next meeting date(s) and next steps 
a. The March meeting date is proposed to be Thursday, March 171h, 2022 at 7pm. 
b. Ordering for future guests would be the Conservation Commission (January) 
7. Meeting adjourned at 8pm, 5-0-0