For Immediate Release

Friday, Oct. 20, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-841-9948
Email: john@jgpr.net

Town of Maynard Seeking Members for Master Plan Steering Committee

MAYNARD — Town Administrator Kevin Sweet announces that the Town of Maynard is preparing to develop a Master Plan and is seeking members to form a steering committee.

A Master Plan is a broad blueprint intended to guide the general development of a community and addresses a number of key topics including housing, land use, open space, economics and traffic.

The first step of this process involves appointing a Master Plan Steering Committee. Once a list of candidates is assembled, the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board will conduct a selection process. The Steering Committee is expected to consist of about seven members, though that number could increase and eventually involve a substantial number of groups and individuals to assist with preparations. Town Administrator Sweet hopes to have a committee assembled by mid-November.

Sweet emphasized that the opportunity for a community to prepare a Master Plan is an “exciting event and will be crucial in preparing Maynard for a successful path forward in the 21st century.”

Town Planner Bill Nemser added, “A core purpose of a master plan is to ensure decision-makers consider the long-term effects of an action and are consistent with an overall vision created by the community.”

Initial funding to develop the plan was approved by voters at Town Meeting in the Spring. The process of creating the Master Plan will be led by a consultant and is expected to take between 1 1/2 to 2 years to complete. Once completed, the plan must be adopted by the Planning Board and submitted to the state Department of Housing and Community Development.

“The town’s Planning Board will be the ‘keeper’ of the master plan but this is absolutely a town-wide effort,” Town Administrator Sweet said. “This effort requires that residents, businesses, boards, committees and staff all work together to create the plan. I encourage anyone who is interested in serving on the Steering Committee to please contact my office.”

This will be the Town’s first master planning effort since 1990.

Residents interested in serving on the Master Plan Steering Committee should send a Letter of Interest to the Office of the Town Administrator at sduggan@townofmaynard.net no later than Nov. 15. 

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