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The Sudbury Planning Board voted on April 8 to support Article 19 at the Annual Town Meeting. Article 19 would appropriate $20,000 for consultant services—related to the ongoing planning and visioning process for the Sewataro/Liberty Ledge property—if passed by Town Meeting.
The Select Board report, as published in the warrant states:
“The purpose of this article is to authorize limited funding for professional planning support to assist the Town in conducting a structured, transparent, and inclusive public visioning process for the Liberty Ledge/Sewataro property.
Under the direction of the Town Manager, the consultant will support Town staff and any duly appointed public body designated to oversee the visioning effort by providing guidance on best practices for community engagement, facilitating the identification of opportunities and constraints, conducting studies, and preparing a summary of potential conceptual options based on public input.
The consultant’s role will be advisory and process-oriented only. Any recommendations regarding future use, disposition, or capital investment related to the property shall remain the responsibility of the Select Board.”
The article is available on page 25 here.
Deliberation was brief among the members of the Planning Board. Chair Steve Garvin noted “My take is the Planning Board is always in support of planning processes, so we would support this article.”
Member John Sugrue quickly agreed.
Member Kirsten Roopenian commented at greater length about the article: “It’s focused on a structured visioning, public visioning process. It’s not a blank check for a full plan. I think what it doesn’t do… is it doesn’t authorize construction, or sale, or long-term lease, or any of [those] specific uses. It just puts together a well-thought-out collaboration between the committee and this consultant who’s going to, Adam you just said it, [they] would synthesize all of the ideas that are heard.”
Member Ahnu Sha made the motion to support the article. Member John Sugrue seconded the motion and the Board was unanimous in favor.
The discussion begins at timestamp 2:00 below.