A significant portion of the meeting focused on forming a Master Plan Committee. This five-member committee will include two members from the Planning Board, a member of the Select Board, a citizen representative, and the Town Planner. The board members appointed to the committee will play a role in the development process, working closely with the town planner and participating in public engagement initiatives. The Planning Board emphasized the need for community involvement in shaping the master plan, highlighting plans to frontload public engagement activities over the first six months. These activities aim to gather input from residents on what they envision for the town’s future.

The board also discussed the logistics of committee meetings, which are expected to be held in the evenings to accommodate members’ schedules. Meetings may occur via Zoom or in person, depending on the availability of members and consultants. The board stressed that all meetings would comply with open meeting laws.

The role of the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) was clarified, as they are engaged as consultants for the project. SRPEDD will handle the technical aspects of the master plan, including data analysis, meeting material preparation, and drafting of goals based on public feedback. Their involvement ensures that the planning process is well-structured and aligned with regional development strategies.

In terms of community representation, the Planning Board plans to announce a vacancy for a citizen member on the Master Plan Committee following the Select Board’s formal establishment of the committee. This step is important for ensuring diverse community perspectives are integrated into the planning process.