Why do we need a Master Plan?

It is a state requirement upon which our Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Site Plan Regulations, Capital Improvements Plan, and other related regulations depend.

What is the Master Plan?

As defined by the state:

“The purpose of the master plan is to set down as clearly and practically as possible the best and most appropriate future development of the [town], to aid the [planning] board in designing ordinances that result in preserving and enhancing the unique quality of life and culture of New Hampshire, and to guide the board in the performance of its other duties in a manner that achieves the principles of smart growth, sound planning, and wise resource protection.”

Don’t we already have a Master Plan?

Yes. Work started on it in 1993 and chapter drafts were finished in 1998, culminating in its approval in 2000.

Why should we update the Master Plan?

Our high growth rate is challenging our prior thoughts and approaches to community planning. We need to work quickly, so that we maximize the opportunities for implementing any changes that this update may bring to light. The longer it takes to complete our next update, the more our town is built out, guided by the current Master Plan. Many events have either come into play recently, or become more pressing since the last update: Route 111 reconstruction; realignment of I-93 and Exit 3; school concerns (high school, elementary school, kindergarten); recreational facilities (indoors, outdoors, passive, active); conservation land purchases; community road connections; economic development; zoning.

What does the town do with the Master Plan?

The Board of Selectmen uses the Master Plan in legislative and policy-related decisions they encounter: upgrading of roads; approval of conservation land purchases; town-wide policy decisions.

The Planning Board uses the Master Plan to guide them in judicial site plan review: assure that an application is consistent with the town’s goals. The Planning Board also uses the Master Plan in a legislative capacity: proposing amendments to the Zoning Map and the Zoning Ordinance.

How did we determine that dollar amount?

The Planning Board solicited bids for the update process, interviewed the responding firms, and selected Taintor & Associates. Their bid is for $89,705, the amount requested.

What town support is there for the update?

The update is in the Capital Improvements Program (CIP); the town’s financial planning tool for capital and expenditures of $50,000 or more. This program has enabled the town to allocate funds wisely and only as needed, while maintaining as stable a tax rate as possible.

The Planning Board has initiated this request and supported it all through the approval process.

The Board of Selectmen has recommended Town Warrant #17, which seeks funding for the update.

What will be different with this Master Plan?

There will be more citizens input and a new section on ‘Economic Development’ that will assist us in working the difficult issue of balancing commercial, residential, and open land use.  What are our economic strengths, weaknesses, and goals?

Perhaps one of the most important sections will be the ‘Implementation’ section, to ensure that we have a roadmap for implementing the directed changes, as brought out through the citizen input and subcommittees. The intent of this section is a long-range action program of specific actions, time frames, allocation of responsibility for actions, description of land development regulations to be adopted, and procedures, which the town may use to monitor and measure the effectiveness of each section of the plan. (text from the state)

Why not do it ourselves?

Why should an outside firm facilitate the process?

As done by the community alone, the update will take years to complete: Master Plan 2000 was started in 1993; Master Plan 1985 was started in 1980. People come and go, and the long duration can mean that it becomes hard to complete the writing of the document in a cohesive fashion, based on the latest applicable data. In light of the growth we are experiencing, the quicker we complete the process, the greater the opportunities for putting the finished Master Plan into action.

Also, done solely under the auspices of the Planning Board, the board will have precious little time to devote towards updating any sections of the Zoning Ordinance that may warrant attention.

What kind of citizen input will there be?

Taintor & Associates has demonstrated excellence in tapping into the community to maximize the breadth and depth of citizen input. It was one of the major reasons why the Planning Board selected them, and we look forward to a solid community outreach, and subsequent input and involvement.

When/How can I get involved and have my voice heard?

The immediate show of support for the process is to vote “YES” on Article #17 (Master Plan update) at the polls on Tuesday, March 9^th (7am-8pm at Golden Brook School). This allows us to move forward with the process. The next opportunity will be to step forward and become involved with the community-wide input sessions that Taintor & Associates will host.

Who has oversight of the update?

It is the Planning Board’s statutory duty to oversee the updating of the Master Plan.

What would be the next step in the process, if the warrant article passes?

The Planning Board will formally establish the subcommittee structure after the vote. We hope to have a sufficient number of active citizens willing to be involved with the various subcommittees.