During a Planning Board workshop to discuss potential zoning and site plan regulation amendments, Planning Board Chair Jake Butler led off the talk by voicing his frustration over the limited attendance from the Town Council.
“I am a little bit frustrated,” Butler said, noting that the board had requested Town Council participation about a week earlier.
He said he was disappointed because he had hoped to discuss with the council what changes they believe are needed to the town’s regulations.
“We have been actively, over the past year, trying to wrap our hands around changing some regulations in Town that we’ve heard loud and clear,” Butler said.
Town Council Liaison Shawn Faber and Town Councilor Dan Bouchard were in attendance. Town Council Chair Ron Dunn attended part of the meeting, but had to leave before the joint discussion began. Faber said he spoke with Town Councilor Ted Combes ahead of time and was told Combes would not be able to attend. Newly elected Town Councilor Deb Paul was out of town.
“What I want is for two boards to get in line for the first time ever and have a real conversation of what needs to happen,” Butler said.
He noted that issues like traffic are areas where the two boards could work collaboratively.
“What I want to see is a way that it’s going to get fixed,” Butler said.
Butler added that during a recent Town Council meeting, members outlined goals such as limiting development, and he had hoped to begin a dialogue about how the Planning Board could support those efforts.
Because the council lacked a quorum at the workshop, Butler said they could not gather a comprehensive view from the council, adding that he understood a week’s notice may have been short.
“I want to get us all on the same page so everybody’s working in the same direction instead of two ships passing in the night,” Butler said.
Bouchard said he believes it would make sense to schedule a joint meeting after a new Town Manager is hired.
During public comment, former Town Councilor John Farrell suggested that the Planning Board does not necessarily need Town Council input to move forward.
“You’re greatly underestimating as the Planning Board how much power you have. You don’t need the Town Council. You have the tools today. It’s called the CIP,” Farrell said. “That’s your strategic plan to go forward.”
He explained that the Planning Board can present its plan through the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
“The CIP is one of the strongest tools you have and it’s underutilized and it’s your tool, it’s your authority,” he said.
Assistant Town Manager Kellie Caron said the CIP process typically begins in May or June, with meetings scheduled later in the year.
She noted they could explore ways to incorporate general traffic improvements into the CIP.
Planning Board member Jeff Penta agreed that the CIP could be an effective mechanism.
“I think that’s an effective tool,” he said.
Butler emphasized that collaboration with the Town Council remains important to achieving goals.
“I agree with that. I think everybody working together you can get (more accomplished),” Bouchard said.
No date was set for when the Planning Board and Town Council will meet jointly.
Reached after the meeting, Deb Paul explained that she had a family trip planned weeks before the meeting had been disclosed.
“Had I known this meeting was taking place, I may have been able to reschedule, but I was half-way across the country the night of the meeting,” Paul said.
She added, “I’m looking forward to helping to make some significant changes in controlling growth in the upcoming months, but until the new Town Manager begins in June, I feel our efforts will be a bit premature.”