Two decades ago, a group of volunteers took on the massive task of crafting a Master Plan for the Town of Mattapoisett. Now, as the Mattapoisett Planning Board begins the process of facilitating the writing of a new Master Plan, the need for fresh ideas and new eyes was discussed.
During the December 16 meeting of the Planning Board, members discussed the first steps toward creating a document that should guide the town as it moves deeper into the 21st century – any Master Plan written now will have the potential expiration date of 2040.
Grant King, director of Comprehensive Planning at the Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) has been engaged by the Town to study one particular component of the new Master Plan: affordable housing. King’s recommendation for a Housing Committee suggested that members of existing committees such as the Community Preservation Committee, Conservation Commission, Planning Board, and others, should be part of that new affordable housing research community. But Planning Board chairman Tom Tucker felt otherwise when it came to a Master Plan committee.
“It should be people in the neighborhoods,” said Tucker. “I think we know the town better than SRPEDD.”
The nine elements of the 2000 Master Plan, generally used as the format for all such municipal plans were: Future Growth and Development Statement, Land Use Goals and Policies, Housing Goals and Policy Statement, Economic Development and Employment, Historic and Cultural Assets, Open Space and Recreation, Public Services and Facilities, and Implementation.
Tucker also noted that the 2000 document found that barriers to growth were primarily a result of not having access to municipal sewer.
Another concern is the public water supply. The 2000 Master Plan reads in part:
“The foremost issue facing the Town is the potential threat to our water supply, both in availability and quality, due to possible overbuilding with overflow of excess nutrients. Based on estimates and usage statistics, fewer than 10,000 additional homes can be built in the four Towns (Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Rochester, and Marion) that depend upon the Mattapoisett River Aquifer for water.”
The Planning Board debated the merits of asking volunteers from the 2000 Master Plan Committee to be on the 2020 committee, but Tucker held fast to his belief that “younger” members of the committee should also be considered, saying, “They are the future…”
And while the board recognized the importance of an historical reference in terms of former committee members, they also suggested high school-aged students might provide a fresh viewpoint.
There was an eight-member committee in 2000.
Tucker said the committee should reflect the entire community and all neighborhoods and asked Planning Board Administrator Mary Crain to put out a press release asking for volunteers.
The board hopes to receive enough volunteers to begin the process of writing a new Master Plan by the beginning of March 2020. To do so they would need the committee to be in place by the end of January 2020, Tucker said. Anyone interested was asked to contact Crain at 508-758-4100 or by email planning@mattapoisett.net.
To view the 2000 Master Plan, visit www.mattapoisett.net/planning-board.
In other business, the board met with members of the new Fire Station Building Committee. Committee Chairman Mike Hickey discussed traffic studies, working with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for traffic signals on Route 6, and other fine points of the Planning Board’s written decision.
Roland Cote, tree warden, also came before the Planning Board and received authorization to remove trees located along 62 North Street, contingent upon the homeowner agreeing to plant new trees.
Cote said he would send letters to other property owners who had agreed to replant trees after the town removed trees, but have failed to do. He said there is also a program in partnership with the town’s Tree Committee whereby the town will plant trees along scenic byways on private property if the location is deemed acceptable to the town. The program includes the town’s care of these newly planted trees for a three-year period to ensure their survival.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for January 6 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room.
Mattapoisett Planning Board
By Marilou Newell