Brookline groups ready to look to future
by
Hattie Berstein
June 5, 2008
|
The Nashua Telegraph
|
Brookline, New Hampshire
The town is in the process of updating its 10-year Master Plan, with a little help from some residents.
Tonight, during a meeting at Town Hall, representatives of three "study circles," groups of volunteers who met weekly for two months, will present their ideas during a program titled "A Vision for Brookline."
Tad Putney, one of two town representatives to the Nashua Regional Planning Commission and the resident who spearheaded the study circle initiative, said the NRPC suggested the group model that drew about 30 volunteers from across town.
Those who committed to working on the project agreed to explore two questions: what each likes about living in Brookline and wants to see maintained, and what they would like to see enhanced over the next decade, Putney said.
"It was a mix of newcomers, longtime residents, those involved in groups, and others who have never participated," said Putney, a resident for 2-1/2 years.
Putney said the town isn't the first municipality to utilize the model. More than 500 communities nationwide have used it during the past decade, including Portsmouth.
The approach worked so well on the Seacoast, Putney said, that Portsmouth adapted it for other types of city planning.
"The Portsmouth example caught our attention," he said.
He said reports delivered today will cover zoning and taxes, transportation and safety, the environment and education.
The program also explores how to maintain "a small town feel" as the population explodes.
Putney said that since 1990, the town's population has roughly doubled, jumping from about 2,500 to 5,000.
"This is far from the end point," Putney said, observing that today the planning board and other local officials will be hearing the reports for the first time.
Putney said all participants in the study circles were volunteers.
While the planning board supported and encouraged the endeavor, he added, it consciously took a hands-off approach.
When volunteers make their reports, they won't be discussing costs, Putney added. Members of the study circles were directed to focus on issues, not expenses, understanding that they would be making recommendations.
The issue of costs comes up in the next phase, Putney said.
Meanwhile, the volunteer said he is hoping his neighbors show up for the meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. in the upper room at Town Hall.
"The study circles process has been a great way to initiate some dialogue about the town's future," Putney said. "Thursday's an important opportunity to expand that dialogue beyond the study circles to any residents who wish to participate."
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