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12.12.2024 MPIC Minutes
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Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Thursday, December 12, 2024 - 7:00-9:00 p.m. Zoom Meetin¢ Present at the meeting: Emilio Mauro, Chair (Finance Committee); Jim Quigley (Planning Board); Alan Rapoport (EDC); Patricia Boyden, (Select Board Rep.); and Peg Mead (Citizen -at -Large). Staff Member: Taylor (TJ) Torres, Town Planner Not Present: Stacy Gorman (Parks &Recreation); Bob MacDonald (Conservation Commission); Kristian Merenda, Vice Chair (School Committee); and Mike Nourse (Historical Commission). Guests: Joyce Stenmon and Kristen Phelps, Paul Revere Heritage Site. Item #t - Introductions: Welcome Attendees and Introduces Members. Chair Mauro welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Master Plan Implementation Committee, and the viewers at home. The meeting is being taped by Canton Community TV. Item #2 — Shared Priorities with Paul Revere Museum of Innovation and Discovery Chair Mauro explained that the Paul Revere Heritage Site has been a major success for the Town and it was created as a DIF (District Improvement Financing). The Site was a major Master Plan achievement with a number of different components realized at the site. It provided historical preservation of a historic site; created housing options; and made the Downtown more of a destination, along with the Canton Junction Station as a connection. Joyce Stenmon introduced herself as part of an eleven (u) member board and is the Chair of Collection, Exhibits and Education. The most recent collaboration has been with T.J. Torres, Town Planner, and they had applied for a grant for public art technical assistance. They did not receive that grant but are still pursuing other options. The first floor of the museum is about Paul Revere, beginning at age 65, who transformed the Industrial Revolution, and whose thinking was ahead of his time. The second floor is for tracldng problems, development, and troubleshooting. It is where the innovative development ideas begin, creating tools to meet demands. The third floor is where the designs created on the second floor, are explored and hands on activities are used to create interactive solutions. This is a hands-on program. They are worldng on the interior of the building; issuing request for proposals; and creating exhibits. They applied through Canton Community Preservation Committee (CCPC) to construct an outdoor pavilion and they have received the support of numerous committees. Additional funding for the museum was secured through a restructuring of the DIF agreement Master Plan Implementation December 12, 2024 Page 1 of 4 Committee — Minutes
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approved at the 2024 Annual Town Meeting. It is hoped that the museum will open in 2025 with some activities already occurring. They have worked on collaborative exhibits in the Barn at the Heritage site, and hold small exhibits upstairs. At the Barn they work with artists who transfer ideas from the past and give back stories. They interviewed approximately forty-four (44) ordinary citizens who passed on stories from the past. They have copper exhibits and tradespeople who work with copper and transition old pieces to new pieces, by adding new components. They are looking for people to come to the site and create art, which reflects the site, and is beautiful. The Barn is open most Saturdays from 11:30 to 2:3o and is volunteer driven. They love for people to experience the site and we hold events all year long. There are Holiday events in December which attract over seven hundred (700) people. Exhibits include coolde decorating; hot chocolate; and lots of shopping from local vendors. In October, they held a Pooch Parade; and in September, a concert, which brought hundreds of people together. The biggest event is the Canton Heritage Festival, which is held annually in May and brought over 2,500 people in 2024 and was well attended. The Festival attracted families, children, adults, and offered many different programs, vendors, and various exhibits. This has become a gathering place, which is multi -generational, and has become a very positive meeting place. It is attended by families, municipal workers, and residents from the Senior Center. They also are working with public schools and have collaborated with the upper grade students on artwork, but are not ready yet to bring the schools in, until the work at the site is completed. She also requests that people come forward with all of the stories they have about this area. Mr. Mauro thanked Joyce and Kristen for the overview and explained that the Heritage Site is covered the Action Plan of the Master Plan. This museum was envisioned after the Master Plan came into existence but is still consistent with the "Protect" Section of the Master Plan which stated that Canton will preserve, promote, and encourage adaptive reuse of historic structures, and retain local, regional, and national history, heritage, historical resources, environmental, arts and culture, and reinforce community character. Kristen Phelps explained that they have collaborated with the schools through their art program, and they also have a strong connection with the Canton Historical Society. There is nothing to invite them to yet, but once up and running, they will. They are creating a position for a Museum Director and they are currently working on that. A year ago, people were not aware of the Museum, and now people are. Mr. Rapaport had concerns about the expenses to open this site and if they are envisioning how to raise money for this ongoing project. Ms. Phelps explained that they have some artifacts for the museum but they are providing materials to create ideas, not just for visitors to come and see. This is more of a hands-on experience. She stated that she has explained to people that this is a museum of experience and not of objects. This project has been fully funded through Town Meeting and Grants, so all the funding is in place. The design is completed and the contract is being executed. They have held operational meetings, which include fundraising to hire a Program Director; staff; teachers; and for materials. This plan will come to fruition in up to three (3) years. They have had successful grant writing and are now focusing on private and corporate philanthropy. She further explained the museum on the lower floor is to inspire; upper floors to explore ideas; Master Plan Implementation December 12, 2024 Page 2 of 4 Committee — Minutes
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and receive a progressive education, and they are hoping to attract a broad reach of school children of all ages and adults. Chair Mauro stated that this is a great asset to the Town by creating a destination to the site with so many dedicated volunteers who are greatly appreciated. Ms. Boyden stated that she would like to thank Joyce and all the volunteers. She grew up here 40 years ago when it was a toxic waste site, and it is now mind blowing and a beautiful site. Mr. Rapaport explained that he went to the Hemenway School and you could smell the odors coming from the site, and he wanted to know how they could link this site to better connect to the Center of Town. Connecting a trail from the Paul Revere Heritage Site to Downtown was discussed, including Wall Street, a path near I(evin Michaels Tux building, and Church Street. A site wall, in the future was also discussed. Item #3 — Strategic Framework Update ATM Article Chair Mauro explained that Mr. Torres was authorized to work on a proposed Town Meeting Article to approve funds for a consultant to update the Master Plan Action Plan. This would entail updating the Action Plan and enable the Planning Department, with the assistance of the Master Plan Implementation Committee, to engage a consultant, to perform a five (5) year review and update the Action Plan section of the 2020 Canton Master Plan. This would also lead to the development of a new five-year Strategic Framework to cover the middle five years of the fifteen -year life of the current Master Plan. Mr. Torres spoke with the Finance Director, Randy Scollins, and this is being submitted as an independent Article at Town Meeting. This is over $ro,000.00 and needs to go through the procurement process. The Consultant will review what we have already achieved and move forward toward 2026-2031. The warrant is open, so this article can now be submitted for inclusion and if we are approved at Town Meeting, the funds will be available in July. A motion was made by Ms. Mead and seconded by Mr. Rapaport to endorse this article to update the Action Plan of the Master Plan, Roll Call Taken, Motion Approved 5-o-o (Yes - Rapaport, Mead, Boyden, Quigley, Mauro). Item #4 — Acceptance of October 17. 2024, Minutes Ms. Boyden requested a correction to the Minutes where it was written that she was concerned about the solar panels, and wanted it to reflect, she inquired about the panels and was not concerned. For the record she is not against solar panels, she supports them. A motion was made by Ms. Mead and seconded by Mr. Rapaport to accept the Minutes of October 17, 2024, as submitted, with minor changes pointed out by Ms. Boyden. Roll Call Taken, Motion Approved 5-0-0 (Yes - Rappaport, Mead, Quigley, Boyden, Mauro). Master Plan Implementation December 12, 2024 Page 3 of 4 Committee — Minutes
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Item #5 — Upcoming Meetings: Chair Mauro explained that he received an email from the coordinator for the Canton Heritage Festival, inquiring if we are interested in representing our Committee at the event and having a table at the festival, which will be held on May 17t'', 2025 from moo a.m. — 3:00 p.m, The Board agreed to participate by consensus and without any objection. Chair Mauro explained that he spoke with the Information Systems Manager, Louis Jutras, about our future Zoom meetings and reserving the dates and times. The Board agreed to meeting every other month and the next three (3) meetings will be held on: February 13t" at 7:00 p.m.; April r7t", at 7:00 p.m.; and June 511, at 7:00 p.m. If necessary, we can change dates if those don't work for everyone. Mr. Torres informed the Board that Jen IZemalian, the new Assistant Town Administrator, agreed to be the guest speaker at our next meeting. She will be representing the Executive Office and their perspective and interest in the Master Plan with shared priorities discussed. Ms. Mead told Mr. Torres that the new Welcome to Canton signs are terrific and classy and many members on the committee agreed. He informed the Board that there are four (4) existing signs that have been maintained by the Garden Club and that he is working with the Garden Club on potential places to relocate them. Adjournment A motion was made by Ms. Mead and seconded by Ms. Boyden to adjourn the meeting. Roll Call Taken, Motion Approved 5-0-0 (Yes - Rappaport, Mead, Quigley, Boyden, Mauro). Chair Mauro wanted to thank members, Canton Community TV, the guests for tonight's meeting, and the audience who tuned in and watched the meeting for joining the meeting. aylor Tor •es MPIC — Town Planner Master Plan Implementation December 12, 2024 Page 4 of 4 Committee — Minutes