Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
MasterPlan-20241015T180602
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Master Plan Implementation Committee Meeting Minutes May 19, 2022, 7-8:00 pm Via Zoom Master Plan Implementation Committee Members present: Joseph Amrhein (Planning Board), Lisa Lopez (Select Board), Emilio Mauro (finance Committee), Kristian Merendo (School Committee), Alan Rapoport (Economic Development Committee), and Sean Robinson (Citizen at Large) Master Plan Implementation Committee Members not present: Bob MacDonald (Conservation Commission), Mike Nourse (Historical Commission), Community Preservation Committee representative - vacant, Town Planner — vacant School Committee Non -Voting Alternate: Maureen Moran - present Guest Sustainability Committee members: Christine Smith (Chair) Introductions • Emilio Mauro called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and introduced the members and guests present. Discussion of Master Plan and Implementation Process • Chair Mauro provided an overview of Canton's Master Plan, the role of the Master Plan Implementation Committee (MPIC) and the implementation process. Discussion of Shared Priorities with Sustainability Committee • Chair Mauro reviewed the shared priorities and projects for the next 5 years with the Sustainability Committee Chair and MPIC members, highlighted on the Canton Master Plan & Sustainability Committee Shared Action Items document. • Christine Smith discussed various initiatives of the Sustainability Committee including the grant - funded Climate Resiliency @ Home program, a composting partnership with Black Earth Compost, Community Choice energy electricity aggregation, the recent formation of the Energy Advisory Committee, public electric vehicle charging stations, and a rain barrel program with the Great American Rain Barrel company. • Joe Amrhein asked about marketing the rain barrel program with signage downtown. • Alan Rapaport inquired about ways to expand the rain barrel program at municipal buildings including the schools. He also asked about the potential for town -wide composting: • Kristian Merenda noted that the schools are interested in collaborating with the Sustainability Committee, as they proceed with the development of a 5-year strategic plan and the build of the new Galvin Middle School. Page 1 of 9
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• Kristian Merenda offered a suggestion that the Blue Hills Regional School also be considered in efforts for compositing, as well as any other initiatives. • Christine Smith noted that the Sustainability Committee is working diligently as a volunteer - led group that meets once a month. She noted that it is difficult to make meaningful progress without a dedicated town employee, such as a full-time sustainability coordinator at the Department of Public Works or the Planning Department. • Alan Rapaport asked Lisa Lopez if it would be possible to consider the adding of a Sustainability Coordinator. She noted that there have been constraints on the municipal budget that have impacted the ability to move forward on adding any positions to the Town. • Lisa Lopez asked Christine to consider coming in front of the Select Board once a year to provide a report card on what has been accomplished and include, at least aspirationally, what specific requests the Sustainability Committee may have. • Emilio Mauro asked if it has become common for other towns to have a full-time sustainability coordinator of the type Ms. Smith mentioned. • Christine Smith responded affirmatively and she said that there are many other municipalities in the Commonwealth that have added a Sustainability Coordinator or similar position. Update on ATM 2022 Zoning Articles • Emilio Mauro updates members on the results of Annual Town Meeting 2022 regarding MPIC endorsed zoning articles. • Joe Amrhein asked about ways to better inform individuals impacted by zoning changes and suggested that preference be given to contacting individuals directly. Annual Reorganization of MPIC • Chair Mauro led the annual process to elect/reelect the Chair, Vice Chair, and Clerk. Lisa Lopez moved to re -nominate Emilio Mauro as Chair. Alan Rapaport seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a roll call vote 6-0-0: ROLL CALL VOTE Amrhein y Merenda Lopez y Rapoport Mauro y Robinson • Emilio Mauro moved to re -nominate Sean Robinson as Vice Chair. Alan Rapoport seconded the motion. Sean Robinson declined the re -nomination. Page 2 of 9
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• Emilio Mauro nominated Kristian Merenda as Vice Chair. Alan Rapoport seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a roll call vote 6-0-0. 0914WII7111t•T011701 Amrhein y Merenda Lopez y Rapoport Mauro y Robinson • Emilio Mauro nominated Alan Rapoport for Clerk. Lisa Lopez seconded the nomination. The motion was approved by a roll call vote 6-0-0. It was noted that the role of this position to be the primary note taker will be alleviated once a new Town Planner is hired. ROLL CALL VOTE Amrhein y Merenda Lopez y Rapoport Mauro y Robinson Next Steps • Chair Mauro highlighted several topics for next steps to begin planning new and continuing priorities for 2022-2023. He then inquired about progress in hiring a new Town Planner. • Joe Amrhein inquired about Accessory Dwelling Units that might be promoted to help bolster our affordable housing stock. He also suggested that single-family houses should be zoned and built to fit different income needs. • Lisa Lopez noted that the distinction between AA and B zoning, means that on a B zone there will be a smaller house based on that zoning type. • Sean Robinson agreed with Joe Amrhein and he added that a large swath of land in Canton that is zoned to be large lots, (e.g. more than one acre) encourage the building of larger houses. He noted those large lot sizes also do not help preserve open space in town. • Alan Rapoport added two MPIC priorities for the coming year. He would like to see a decision on the futures of the Gridley School and the Ponkapoag School. • Lisa Lopez added that the costs of rehabbing the Gridley School for public use are too excessive. A private developer has been interested, but the developer has not taken additional steps. • Regarding the Ponkapoag School, Lisa Lopez noted that a meeting was held and that a study was done to consider it for affordable housing. Other proponents came forward to ask that it be a public meeting space. • Alan added that the Ponkapoag School would be an opportunity to add to the affordable housing stock. He shared that it is time to prioritize making a decision on whether to sell the Page 3 of 9
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Gridley School to a private developer who will at least preserve the facade or risk the decaying building being totally lost. • Lisa Lopez shared that no party is leading the charge to take the next action on the two properties. She also noted that the determination of uses for the recently acquired former St. Gerard's property might influence the future uses of other Town -owned buildings including the Ponkapoag School and the Gridley School. Acceptance of Minutes • Members of the committee reviewed minutes from April 14th, 2022. • Lisa Lopez moved to approve the minutes. Alan Rapoport seconded. • Minutes were approved 4-0-2. The two members abstaining were not present at the April 14'h meeting. ROLL CALL VOTE Amrhein Y Merenda A Lopez Y Rapoport Y Mauro Y Robinson A Other Business • Additional thoughts or comments from MPIC members or the public were sought by the chair with none being expressed. Adjournment • Alan Rapoport moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 p.m. Lisa Lopez seconded the motion. The motion was approved 6-0-0. I:ZilIS9li�R11� Amrhein Y Merenda Y Lopez Y Rapoport Y Mauro y Robinson Y Page 4 of 9
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MEETING DOCUMENTS Master Plan Implementation Committee and Sustainability Committee Joint Meeting May 19, 2022, 7:00-8:30 pm Zoom Meeting Zoom link: his:UusO2we6 zoom us/i/83858606188?pwd=rFH3EM216BigFL'Oois6i8iO HV4LUd 1 Meeting to: 838 5860 6188, Passcode: MPIC Phone: 1-301-715-8592, 838586061881t US • Master Plan Implementation Committee Members: Joseph Amrhein (Planning Board), Lisa Lopez (Select Board), Bob MacDonald (Conservation Commission), Emilio Mauro (Finance Committee), Kristian Merendo (School Committee), Mike Nourse (Historical Commission), Alan Rapoport (Economic Development Committee), Sean Robinson (Citizen at Large), Community Preservation Committee representative - vacant • School Committee Non -Voting Alternate: Maureen Moran • Sustainability, Committee members: Christine Smith (Chair), Patricia McDermott (Vice Chair), Tim Calabrese (Clerk), Katy Clark, Erin Connor, Carolyn Elkort Tarini Dosed, and Andrea Stuart • Staff: vacant, Town Planner AGENDA Item Time Discussion 1. Introductions 7:00-7:05 2. Discussion of Master Plan and 7:05-7:15 MPIC explains the Master Plan and implementation process. Implementation Process 3. Discussion of Shared Priorities Discuss shared priorities and projects for the next 5 years with the with Sustainability Committee 7:15-7:45 Sustainability Committee members. 4. Update on ATM 2022 Zoning Chair updates members on the results of Annual Town Meeting Articles 7:45-8:05 2022 regarding MPIC endorsed zoning articles. 5. Annual Reorganization of 8;05-8:10 Election/reelection of chair, vice chair, and clerk. MPIC 6. Next Steps 8:10-8:20 Begin planning new and continuing priorities for 2022-2023. 7. Acceptance of Minutes 8:20-8:25 Review minutes from April 14'h, 2022. Additional thoughts or comments from MPIC members or the 8. Other Business 825-8:30 public. Page 5 of 9