Town of Litchfield, Maine
04350

STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 7, 2007
MINUTES

Members present: Bill Cumming, George Rogers, Judy Rogers, Judy Bourget, Pat Sirois, Tom Stracuzza, Glen Ridley and Rayna Leibowitz. Guest: Mike Seaman.

1. Opening Exercises

1.1 Call to Order by Bill Cumming, Chairman
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance
1.3 Acceptance of minutes from the previous meeting, Thanks to Judy Bourget for taking and typing the minutes for Jan 25, 2007, motion to accept by George Rogers, seconded by Judy Bourget, vote all in favor with Rayna abstaining (she was absent).

 

2. Petitions and Communications

2.1 Steve Musica sent a note to George indicating that the Selectmen’s directives to the Strategic Planning Committee are to 1) Update the Comprehensive Plan, and 2) Prepare a Growth Management Ordinance.

 

3. Reports

3.1 George did an analysis the impact the Growth Management Ordinance (as previously designed) would have had if it had been enacted and effective beginning in 2003. The results showed there would have been 7 fewer homes built in subdivisions and 37 fewer homes built incrementally in the rural areas, not in subdivisions.

 

4. Old Business

4.1 Growth Management Ordinance - Discussion involved identifying the options available, the desires of the Board of Selectmen, and whether this Ordinance could be done by June 2007. It was suggested that we take another look at the May 8, 2006, version to see if it could be simplified so that the Code Enforcement Officer would have to invest less time in implementing it and it would be better understood. Based on the majority of comments and indication of support for growth management among survey respondents, it was felt a public information campaign should be planned so folks who wanted it could attend the town meeting to support it. Members were asked to bring comments and suggestions to the Feb. 15 meeting for further discussion. How can the survey results be used to improve the proposed Ordinance?

4.2 Comp Plan - The goal is to have Phase II revisions completed for the June 2007 Town Meeting. This will require participation by everyone in reviewing the Plan and providing information to be updated as well as the narrative and analysis that goes with it. Judy and Rayna will review it and identify tasks that can be assigned.

Members asked for electronic copies to work with. A motion was made by Judy Bourget, seconded by Judy Rogers to report to the Board of Selectmen on Feb 12 that efforts will be made to have the Comprehensive Plan revisions ready for the June Town Meeting and the Growth Management Ordinance ready for the November ballot. So voted. Bill asked Glen to report out for the Committee.
4.3 GrowSmart Maine Proposal - No updated information.

5. New Business

6. Next Meeting Dates (scheduled) and Tasks

6.1 March 7 - Plan to discuss the Growth Management Ordinance and Comp Plan Updates
6.2 March 15 -
6.3 April 4
6.4 April 19

7. Meeting Adjourned at 8:25 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

s/ Rayna Leibowitz

Secretary