Planning Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the Planning Board Meeting

Minutes of the meeting 8/10/23

Meeting Date: Thursday August 10, 2023

Meeting Opened at 6:03pm

Planning Board members present: Tom Sawyer, Laura Mensi, Roger Tryon, Margy Abbott, Lauren Berhman, Mort Salomon

Planning Board members absent: Chip Allen

Also Present: Laurie McArthur (SB secretary), Justin Makuc, Frank Abbott, Peter Murket, Rob Hoogs, Susan Moran, Marcia and Barry Blank, Joe Stein, Kathy Schast, Roger MacDonald, Judy Kaminstein, Jeff Zimmerman, Elizabeth Way, Stuart Litwin, Laura Litwin, Mark Makuc, Dan Zweig, Lin Sabersky, Bob Cutick, Barbara D., Beth Reiter, Mary Makuc

Also present remotely: 

Call to Order 6:03 pm

Agenda:

Presentation of the Master Plan Survey results and report

The Planning Board introduced themselves to the group and Tom reported that the purpose of this meeting was to present the Master Plan Summary.  This will start a 30-day public comment period.  Seth provided an overview of the expectations of the presentation.  Seth reported that there were 385 responses, and reviewed the responses for the top three reasons individuals reside in Monterey.  From here, Seth reviewed each of the questions presented in the Master Plan Survey along with the responses.  

Tom discussed the first goal: Promoting Environmental Resilience and Sustainability and reported that the Planning Board was trying to create some action lists to support the goals and information gathered from the survey.  Tom said that as a common theme there is currently work being done in the town that support the plan.  The audience was provided with an opportunity to ask questions after a presentation of each of the goals.  Tom and Seth discussed funding sources for various projects, and how the Master Plan is essential to be able to access and apply for funding for various projects.  

The second goal was to: Promote open space projects throughout the town.  To reviewed each of the subcategories in the goal.  Tom discussed how Greenagers have been assisting with trail upkeep using grant funding.  

The third goal was to: Enhance business opportunities in the downtown. Tom reviewed each of the subcategories and opened the floor for questions.  One question was asked regarding how much the business district could be expanded upon, and Tom provided feedback with a few possible options such as a place to obtain a cup of coffee or a newspaper or expanding the area where the current food trucks are able to operate.   

The fourth goal was to: enhance facilities and transportation in the town.  Lin inquired about the Clean Streets program, and Tom and Seth discussed transportation, accessibility issues, or the potential for right-of-way lanes to help with transport.  Lin provided an update regarding van transportation through the Council on Aging.  Rob discussed concerns that affordable workforce housing was not mentioned in the Master Plan and how this could affect future sustainability.  Rob presented the idea of hiring a consultant to help with this problem.  Tom said that the Planning Board would review this and investigate creating a category.  Margy discussed her surprise that affordable workforce housing did not come up as a more important factor and talked about how the CPA may be beneficial to help provide funding for this issue.  Tom discussed zoning bylaws that would have to be considered.  

Tom informed the audience that they could email any questions to the Planning Board.  Tom said that the next step is the 30-day review after which the Planning Board will sign off on the Master Plan and present it to the Select Board. 

Rob suggested adding a link to make it easier to ask questions about the Master Plan.  

The Planning Board unanimously agreed to adjourn the seminar at 7:15pm.