On August 19, the first meeting of the Mattapoisett Open Space and Recreation Committee was held. Leading the meeting was Michelle Tinger, Assistant Director of Environmental Planning for SRPEDD (Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District).
SRPEDD was invited to assist Mattapoisett as it crafts what could be called a mini-masterplan only this time more focused on matters related to land use for recreational purposes.
First order of business was to select a Chair for the OSRC. Barry Lima, who volunteered to represent the Conservation Commission on the OSRC, again raised his hand to help the town as committee Chair.
Other appointed members are Marissa Hughes, Kristen McCormick, Frank White, and Janice Robbins. Some appointees are representing the Mattapoisett Land Trust, or other town committees such as the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board.
Tinger presented an outline of what the committee is expected to accomplish. Most notably, the creation of a survey. The group spent the majority of the hour-long meeting debating the merits of various survey questions and best ways to engage the public.
The primary goal of the committee Tinger stated was the creation of an OSRC plan that will be submitted to the state and if accepted could set up Mattapoisett as it sought state funding for OSRC projects. She called the funding “free money.”
Before the meeting concluded, the members were able to grasp the full scope of what expectations are for the work the committee will do and were given web-based tracking tools to manage the data flow created by SRPEDD.
The next meeting of the OSRC is planned for September 16, at which time a survey will be drafted.
Mattapoisett Open Space and Recreation Committee
By Marilou Newell