The committee will need to review the strategies outline in the 2008 report.
EASTHAMPTON – In 2008, the city adopted a Master Plan charting the city’s growth over the next two decades.
Now, the city is looking for people willing to step in to look at that plan that addressed topics such as housing, economic development and open space, to see what’s been accomplished and set goals and priorities for the next 16 years.
City Planner Jessica Jo Allan has issued a call for volunteers willing to be part of the Master Plan Implementation Committee.
The goal is for this to become a standing committee, she said, able to look at four or five goals each year and work with the appropriate board or committees such as the planning or zoning boards, for example, that oversee the particular area under review.
The committee needs to “go through the list of strategies, check out what’s happened, prioritize the next level.”
Some of those strategies have already been accomplished, she said.
Strategies including extending the Manhan Rail Trail to Northampton, Southampton, Nonotuck Park and city schools, expanding the city's Website, and establishing an Energy and Sustainability Commission.
The rail trail to Northampton is open, work is finished on the link to Southampton, for example of goals already met.
She said they are looking for people who have experience in areas such as housing, economic development, recreation, energy among other areas.
They are looking for people with energy, “who have a comprehensive vision (to look at) how different pieces of the plan fit.”
She said creating this committee was something former planner Stuart Beckley said was key to implement as he was leaving the city. Allen, the former principal planner for the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission before she was hired here earlier this year, was the facilitator for the master planning process here. She is eager to see the committee in place to move the plan forward.
Those interested are asked to contact Allen by calling 529-1406 or sending an email to allanj@easthampton.org.
