Cheshire Planning Board Hopes to Resurrect Master Plan Efforts
 The Selectmen will see if there is interest in resurrecting a master planning committee. The Planning Board is hoping to find funding for a master plan and to review the town's zoning bylaws. |
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Planning Board has asked for the creation of a master plan committee to revitalize the initiative.
The board requested Tuesday that the Selectmen vote to approve the creation of a subcommittee to work on the formation and finding funds for a master plan.
Planner Peter Traub brought the idea forward last town meeting in the form of a citizen's petition but it was voted it down because the budget could not support a $10,000 item.
"I still think that it is ... a good idea and the Planning Board agrees it is a good idea to have a master plan so maybe it is time," Traub said.
Selectmen Chairwoman Carol Francesconi said the board will see if there is a public interest in the committee and go from there.
"It's a first step because it is going to take a long time," Chairman Dan Speth said. "By the time we get money and look at it again and it's three, four, or five years."
The Planning Board added that it may also look into changing the town's bylaws and focusing on ways they can be improved.
Speth said the board still has grant money that can be utilized for this and Traub said the master plan committee may inform this process as well.
"Maybe this master plan and the committee itself may be a way to get those comments back to use to see if there might be things in the existing bylaws that people don't like," Traub said.
He said the Planning Board discussed increasing the distance for setbacks and changing where commercial zoning is allowed.
Speth said he would also like to hold a joint meeting with the Selectmen, the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the building inspector to re-familiarize themselves with their duties and how they interact with each other.
The Selectmen also approved a new member to the Planning Board who will replace former member Charlie Howard and fill his unexpired term. This brings the board up to full capacity.
Shannon Plumb will serve on the board and possibly seek election next town election. She has been a resident of Cheshire since 2010.
Town Administrator Mark Webber said a public hearing to set the tax rate will take place Sept. 15.
"I have to note that it is nice to have people in place that know what they are doing," Webber said. "It is going nicely ... and it appears to be getting done properly."
He added that Cheshire Reservoir will be treated Friday for nuisance aquatic vegetation. He said drinking, cooking, boating, fishing, swimming, and irrigation will not be allowed.
Webber said he received a letter from a resident complaining that some street signs are missing. The resident reported that both Windsor and Notch roads do not have signs. He said people often steal them and he will bring the issue to the director of public works.
Tags: master plan, zoning,
