Meeting Minutes
Housing Committee Meeting
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Town Meeting Room 6:00 PM
Committee Members: Barbara Freeman, Chair; Richard Wright, Joanne Lord, Christopher Hernick, Polly Lowe, Nicole Gage, Matt Mynczywor, Christopher Millette, Denise Mitchell, Tom Krebs, Bruce Healey, Judy Healey, Alicia Morse, Wendy Corbin, Judy Hale, Stephanie Spaulding, Russell Smith and Kristen Schultz, Members.
1. Introductions
Ms. Freeman introduced herself and explained that she thought it was important to keep everyone all together, rather than separate the group. She said there will be monthly meetings with sub-committees reporting at the monthly meetings.
Everyone went around and introduced themselves.
Ms. Freeman explained this will be an informal committee.
A committee member asked if the committee meetings could be located on the calendar of the Town of Newbury website. Ms. Long will notify the town to make sure these meetings get placed on the calendar.
2. Review the “Vision” for Newbury from the Master Plan (MP)
- Discuss Goal of the Housing Committee
Ms. Freeman asked the committee members to look at (DH 1,2 and 3) of “Housing and Demographics” in the 2017 Newbury Master Plan “Action Areas” when they get home.
Ms. Freeman explained the procedures that are followed when things are brought to the Planning Board and Zoning Board.
A member of the committee asked when the last site plan review was done. Apparently, there is a broken link on the website when you click on the site plan review link. Ms. Long will mention this to the town as well.
There was discussion on when the date is that we are striving to have things done by. Ms. Freeman said March 2022 is the goal date.
Mr. Healey said that amendments should be complete byOctober 2021.
- Development of a Value Statement for our Committee
Ms. Freeman went over ideas for the value statement for the committee. There was discussion about having a definition of inclusiveness and diversity and there should be a purpose. Everyone should be working with the same definitions. Some of the suggestions as to what they should consider as inclusive and diverse included: age groups, veterans, family types, retired/working and differing abilities.
Everyone brainstormed some values they would like to include. Ms. Freeman wrote down everyone’s ideas and will edit it at home and bring back to the next meeting.Some of the ideas included: Fostering a sense of community both physically and socially, fostering a supportive community and having a transparent process.
There was discussion as to whether the word “secure” should stay in the value statement.
- Homework Assignment for next month’s meeting (10/21/20)
Ms. Freeman asked committee members to also read and review the Master Plan of 2017, Newbury Zoning Ordinances, Newbury Subdivision Regulations and the Newbury Site Plan Regulations.
Ms. Freeman said there is a summary of the findings if members do not have a lot of time to look at the entire document.
Ms. Freeman went over a list of things to think about while reviewing the above regulations.
Ms. Freeman said she values everyone’s time and will not run over an hour unless they are deep in the work. She will try to keep these future meetings as close to an hour as possible.
Minutes will be emailed to all of the members.
3. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Long
Recording Secretary