A point of discussion was the prolonged delay in the town’s master plan, largely attributed to the absence of a dedicated town planner. Currently, the town relies on a contract employee for basic permit reviews, with restrictions preventing them from engaging in master plan-related tasks. This has led to challenges in obtaining input from the fifteen organizations involved in the master plan steering committee, established by the planning board in the summer of 2023. Many volunteers from these committees are already committed to other responsibilities, resulting in poor attendance and further delaying progress. The planning board had initially set a high quorum requirement, which led to a nearly year-long period without meetings. Realizing the issue, they adjusted the requirement to five members, enabling more regular meetings and progress.

The discussion also focused on the contents of a spreadsheet containing recommendations related to the master plan, emphasizing community gathering spaces and resilient infrastructure. A specific highlight was the proposal for a town green space enhancement between the TC Pasio’s adult activity center and Kids Kingdom to improve outdoor community interaction. The committee acknowledged the intersection of their work with other committees’ efforts, stressing the importance of consolidated feedback to avoid overwhelming the steering committee’s evaluation process. Despite initial concerns about the lack of individual citizen input, it was noted that the town had received significant feedback, with 800 data points from residents contributing to the planning discussions. This level of input was considered substantial for the master plan’s development.

In preparation for a public meeting tentatively scheduled for October 22, the committee aims to gather input from relevant committees by October 1. This collected feedback will be used to create a draft for community review.

The potential expansion of the historic district along Mass Avenue was another key topic. During the meeting, there was consensus on the importance of reassessing the district boundaries to better reflect the area’s character. Extending the district to include the intersection with Chestnut was viewed as beneficial for clarity and preservation efforts. The proposed extension aligns with the district’s character. The importance of consistency with the village center district was emphasized. Collaboration with the planning board was deemed critical as the extension could offer benefits for property owners while ensuring necessary preservation restrictions.

Concerns about revitalizing town spaces centered on usage and enhancements, particularly around the de facto town green encompassing TC Pasio, the library, and surrounding areas. Traffic issues on roads like Lemonster, Lancaster Shirley, and Whiting were highlighted as obstacles to events, such as band concerts previously held at the gazebo but relocated due to poor sound quality from traffic noise. The community has been using Memorial Drive for events.

Discussions emphasized the need for emergency vehicle access to TC Pasio and Eagle House, with suggestions to maintain access while improving the public space. Proposals included using grass pavers instead of traditional paving in front of TC Pasio to allow emergency vehicles access while maintaining a green aesthetic. There was a conversation about the historical significance of the gazebo, currently a popular spot for high school prom photos. Opinions varied on whether relocating the gazebo would enhance safety and accessibility for events, with some arguing for its historical placement’s importance.

Addressing the future utility of TC Pasio, suggestions included repurposing or modifying parts of the building to better serve the community role without compromising historical integrity. There was consensus that modifications should respect the building’s history while allowing enhancements to meet current needs. The potential for TC Pasio to serve as a component of a larger town green was discussed, with opportunities to incorporate elements of the building into new designs.

The meeting also included discussions on the potential property acquisition from the Lunenburg Rail Trust and the need for high-density mixed-use spaces to enhance community engagement. An invitation for the commission to participate in “Committee Confidential” TV shows was noted, with a member representing the commission to communicate their work and volunteer needs positively.