The OSRP presentation was a focal point of the meeting, emphasizing its role as a blueprint for preserving and improving the town’s open spaces and recreational facilities. With nine detailed sections covering a five-year span from 2025 to 2029, the plan aims to increase community engagement with objectives to enhance communication and educational programs. It also sets clear goals for expanding accessibility and ensuring equity within open spaces, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. The action plan within the OSRP identifies specific steps, responsible parties, and funding sources for implementation.

Further discussions on the OSRP addressed the potential for agricultural use of certain lands. While the plan outlines objectives related to agriculture, it does not specify larger initiatives, sparking interest in how these ideas might be developed. The meeting also touched on how the plan could support open space requirements in new residential developments, though specific references to future developments were not included.

In addition to the OSRP, the board deliberated on a range of other projects, including updates to the floodplain bylaw and a proposed lighting bylaw. The floodplain bylaw, still in collaboration with FEMA, is set for a Spring Town Meeting presentation, while public hearings for both bylaws are scheduled for late February. The lighting bylaw discussion raised concerns about enforcement and the categorization of various lighting types, such as holiday and landscape lighting. The board emphasized the need for clear definitions and enforcement mechanisms, proposing a sunset clause for existing non-conforming lighting to facilitate a gradual transition to compliance.

The meeting also covered the ongoing project on Dunstable Road, where modifications to the originally approved design were discussed. The revised plan now includes front-facing garages instead of side-load designs, aligning better with neighborhood aesthetics. The project team addressed concerns from an abutter regarding drainage, committing to connecting roof drains to the existing drainage system to mitigate potential flooding. The board reviewed updates on utility line separations and landscaping.

Another topic was the transition from asphalt to gravel in a parking lot area, part of a broader effort to enhance stormwater management. The board engaged with public input on these revisions, with residents advocating for native plantings to restore habitats and improve ecological integrity.

The board also discussed the role of various subcommittees and upcoming meetings, including the Community Preservation Committee’s approval of a $2 million project to suppress utility lines in Central Square. This project aims to resolve ongoing issues with utility companies and improve infrastructure reliability.