Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and the Board of Selectmen invite you to a Master Plan Virtual Visioning Forum for Saugus United 2035 - August 28, 2020
Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and the Board of Selectmen invite you to a Master Plan Virtual Visioning Forum for Saugus United 2035
Residents and Saugus Officials are invited to participate in crafting the direction for Saugus’ future and Master Plan Process
(Saugus, MA) August 28, 2020 – Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree, the Board of Selectmen, and the Saugus Planning and Economic Development Department announce the Town of Saugus is taking the next big step toward updating the Town’s Master Plan. On Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. the Town’s project consultant, the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (MAPC), will be assisting the Town in conducting an online “Kick-Off Visioning Forum” to be held in the Zoom format.
Registration is required and more information on how to participate can be found at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_J9RJ-d6mTeyRCLzX9-Otqg.
In addition, after the event, there will be an online open house where Saugus residents and officials will be able to provide feedback through the end of October. The Master Plan will build upon the community’s vision and recent planning studies to propose strategies and recommend implementation actions to guide the Town in investing in its future and working toward its goals for 2035.
The Master Plan was last completed in 1988 and updating the plan is a major priority for the Board of Selectmen and Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree. “The town-wide plan will work to include goals and policies for what stakeholders want to see happen with land use, housing, economic development, natural/cultural resources, open space, recreation and transportation,” Town Manager Scott Crabtree said.
Town Meeting members previously approved the allocation of $150,000 to update the Plan from an article submitted by Town Manager Crabtree for a special Town Meeting warrant. Crabtree stressed the importance of the town pursuing smart growth in order to sustain a full-service community and balance the impact of development, while taking into account strategies to manage future growth in development, protect environmental resources, set priorities for developing/maintaining infrastructure, create a framework for future policy decisions, and provide guidance to land owners and developers as well as permitting authorities.
“This is something that is definitely needed for Saugus,” Crabtree said. Planning Board Chairman Peter Rossetti Jr. agreed that a town-wide master plan marks a step forward for the community. He contended it makes sense to analyze the impact on the town as a whole and the capacity for future development.
While noting a town-wide master plan has been needed for quite some time, Mr. Rossetti said, “Sometimes [a master plan] can be put on a shelf, but I can assure you this one won’t be put on a shelf – it will be implemented.”
The Kick-Off Visioning Forum will begin the process of updating the Master Plan, with other forms of public participation to follow. Crabtree said it’s critical to get feedback from different stakeholders in crafting the town-wide plan, which will include suggestions that the Planning Board, Town officials, and community want to see in it.
The Town is excited to hear from residents about their vision for Saugus and these Forums will provide ample opportunity to provide that input and learn about the project.
Questions about the event can be directed to the Town Manager’s Office (781) 231-4111 or Chris Reilly, Director of Planning and Economic Development (781) 231-4044 (creilly@saugus-ma.gov). Additional information can be found at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_J9RJ-d6mTeyRCLzX9-Otqg.