“Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.”
— Henry Ford
Adequate Physical Infrastructure (Friday PM)
Participants:
Facilitator/Scribe: Dan Normandeau/Elizabeth Catlin
John Wilcox Jared Flynn Alex Blakeson Jack Manix Barbara Gilmore John Pandelaki Jason Evans
Strengths
Route 5 and 30 corridor
Strong school buildings
Adequate town hall
Community center
Well-maintained roads
Responsive fire department
Covered bridge
Iron bridge – biking, jogging, extra access
Grange buildings
Town ownership of SEVCL
Rural dirt roads
3 boat landing
Pollution monitoring by Connecticut River watershed Alliance
Both rivers- swimming holes and kayaking
Hydro sources
The Town Common
Library
Historical Society
Recycling bins
Good public officials
Congregational Church
Trailer park
Dutton Pines State park
Post office
Weaknesses
Physically spread out
Noting for elderly/disabled
Lack of transportation for elderly
Lack of elder housing
Lack of tasteful, green affordable housing
Mud season
No Internet access
Covered bridge limits access
Library in wrong place
Failing septic systems
Minimal public transportation
Not trash disposal in town ‘
More recreation space
Better erosion control
Energy sustainability policies?
Safe pedestrian access
Traffic calming
Police presence
Maple Valley
No tapping hydro sources
Long-range planning?
Consideration of future needs
Developing tax base-economic plan
Need to share school/civic resources
Future
No nuclear threat
Good use of Maple Valley
Town swimming pool/pond
Recreational facilities on CT. River
Neighborhood watch
Space for pre-school
Open lands for farms & rec. owned
by town.
Future
Town playground
Planned affordable communities
Elder care housing
Retain dire/gravel roads
Better public transportation
More businesses for tax base
Better waster disposal system/collection service
100% energy sustainability
Better info about services
Internet access for all
Evacuation plan
Library as community gathering place
Five issues/concerns:
1. Housing.
2. Internet and Telecom access for all.
3. Town commitment to 100% energy sustainability/ “green.”
4. Community Recreation facility.
a. (Park, pool, playground, ice cream).
5. Make physical infrastructure reflect rural character through
open lands, roads.