Montachusett Regional Planning Commission

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Nov 05 2024 9:46 am MONTACHUSETT REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION (MRPC) REMOTE MEETING ONLY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024, 7:00 PM MRPC MEETING MATERIALS: October 3, 2024 MRPC Meeting Material MINUTES 1. Open Meeting, Introductions and Announcements Vice-Chairman K. Munroe called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. This meeting will be recorded to ensure we have an accurate record of our discussion. If anyone has any concerns about being recorded, please let us know. This meeting is held under Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023, signed by Governor Healey on March 29, 2023, allowing local and regional governments to hold public meetings remotely or in a hybrid fashion. All votes will be taken by roll call and all members are encouraged to turn their camera on while voting. 2. MRPC Minutes – September 5, 2024 – Approval of Commissioners Requested Having no questions or comments, G. Corbosiero moved to accept the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded. Roll Call Vote Followed: A. Pease – yes D. Valliere – yes G. Tillotson – yes G. Corbosiero – yes K. Munroe – yes M. Bohart – yes R. Swartz – yes 3. Cash Schedule – September 2024 – Acceptance of Commissioners Requested Treasurer R. Swartz presented the September 2024 cash schedule. The opening balance for September 1, 2024, $465,589.12, total receipts, and transfers for the month $195,267.24, total cash on hand before 1  this warrant $660,856.36, less the amount of this warrant $189,050.99, left a balance after the warrant of $471,805.37. R. Swartz moved to accept the cash schedule as presented subject to audit. Motion was seconded. Roll Call Vote Followed: A. Pease – yes D. Valliere – abstain G. Tillotson – yes G. Corbosiero – yes K. Munroe – yes M. Bohart – yes R. Swartz – yes 4. Guest Announcements and Questions No guest announcements or questions were presented 5. Administrative Matters 5.1 Proposal for Increased Compensation for Grace Belmont and Tyler Godin, Transportation Staff – Actions Requested REPORT: Brian Doherty, Transportation Director, and Holly Ford, Administrative and Human Resources Director met recently with Glenn Eaton, Executive Director concerning changes in roles and staff in the Transportation Department over the last year. The Department has seen the following changes since July of 2023: • Expanding personnel in July of 2023 by bringing on Tyler Godin as a Principal Planner. • Retirement of Brad Harris, Transportation Director of 30+ years in January of 2024. • Hiring of Brian Doherty, former Senior Transportation Planner, as Brad Harris’s replacement in his role of Department Director in January 2024. • Hiring of Grace Belmont in April of 2024 to help fill the role previously occupied by Brian Doherty. Grace Belmont was hired as a Principal Planner in the Transportation Department It was determined that there was a need to revisit salaries at the Principal Planner position within the department to better reflect the going rate for similar positions elsewhere and current job responsibilities within the department. Job performance and employee education was also a consideration in the exercise. A market rate analysis was conducted, reviewing similar public sector positions recently advertised both within the region and statewide. It was further determined that a salary adjustment is justified, in consideration of agency policy of setting salaries on a competitive basis (See Section C, Item 14 of MRPC Personnel Policies and Employee Procedure Handbook). Furthermore, it was noted that both Grace and Tyler have proven themselves capable and valuable members of the team since their hiring. Therefore, it is recommended that their salaries be adjusted. A projection of current and future funding was preformed which confirmed the ability to award the following market-based salary adjustments. 2 In addition to the above, G. Eaton mentioned that both G. Belmont and B. Cahill, a Planner in the Planning and Development department, were hired with the condition that their performance would be reviewed at the six- month mark and if warranted, it may be recommended to increase their salary. M. Bohart asked if in hindsight, we feel like they were hired at too low of a salary. G. Eaton stated that there are many factors that could have gone into calculating their starting salary. Budget at the time they were hired, possible oversight of market rates, and or being cautious about how they would work out. The fact is that both employees are doing a wonderful job. We are constantly looking at the 2020 compensation report as well as other regional planning agencies across the Commonwealth. There are a variety of factors why people are hired at certain numbers and then adjusted later. Both Tyler and Grace are performing very well and taking on more duties. RESOLUTION: BE IT RESOLVED that the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission endorses management’s recommendation to increase to annual salary of Grace Belmont, Principal Planner in the Transportation Department, from $67,275.00 to $78,000.00 per year, effective September 30, 2024, for the reasons above provided to the Commissioners at this evening’s meeting. R. Swartz moved to accept the resolution as presented. The motion was seconded. Roll Call Vote Followed: A. Pease – yes D. Valliere – yes G. Tillotson – yes G. Corbosiero – yes K. Munroe – yes K. Nartowicz - yes M. Bohart – yes R. Swartz – yes RESOLUTION: BE IT RESOLVED that the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission endorses management’s recommendation to increase to annual salary of Tyler Godin, Principal Planner in the Transportation Department, from $62,500.00 to $78,000.00 per year, effective September 30, 2024, for the reasons above provided to the Commissioners at this evening’s meeting. G. Corbosiero moved to accept the resolution as presented. The motion was seconded. Roll Call Vote Followed: A. Pease – yes D. Valliere – yes G. Tillotson – yes G. Corbosiero – yes 3  K. Munroe – yes K. Nartowicz - yes M. Bohart – yes R. Swartz – yes 5.2 Other Administrative Matters G. Eaton took a moment to acknowledge Linda Quinlivan’s time with MRPC. Linda will be retiring on October 31, 2024, and this will be her last MRPC Commission Meeting. Mr. Eaton thanked Linda for her service to the organization and recognized that Linda joined us after going through some challenges within the department and as an agency. G. Tillotson also thanked her for all her assistance with a lot of procedures and audits. G. Corbosiero also thanked Linda for all her help while he was Chairman. R. Swartz stated he like everyone else will miss her. L. Quinlivan stated she enjoyed her six years with MRPC, but she is looking forward to doing a lot of nothing for a bit. 6. Department Updates Status of all ongoing projects can be found by clicking on the link, below: https://mrmapper.mrpc.org/webapps/v2.27/CurrentProjects/ MRPC staff will be prepared to answer questions about any contract with any local, state, and federal entity. Commissioners are welcome to ask questions about projects in their respective communities. 6.1 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) No additional updates to report other than what is listed on the current projects listing. 6.2 Planning & Development 6.2.1 Review and Acceptance of 2024 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the Montachusett Region – Acceptance Requested K. Chapman introduced Tracy Murphy, Senior Planner and Zach Kay, Regional Planner. Stating they worked diligently to update the CEDS (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy), and they would be presenting some highlight. Tracy stated that they changed up the report format a little bit this year. There is an executive summary which is about 40 pages long. Tracy reviewed all appendices and the contents. Appendix A lists the regional projects. We have 71 projects with 13 communities that are represented. We have one economic development partner, North Central Chamber of Commerce. Appendix B lists all demographics and trends, and Appendix C has the public participation input and resources. Because MRPC wants this to be a usable tool for our community, we put some relevant resources in there so you can pick it up and look at the back and see what resources are available. The difference in the content is we have references to quotes, goals and strategies that are aligned with the Massachusetts Economic Development Plan, the North Central Mass Chamber Plan and the Central Massachusetts Workforce Blueprint. Mass Hire and the North Central Mass Chamber participated in this process having very valuable input. Additionally, there is an emphasis on tourism in the region and we 4 also incorporated emerging sectors, the shifts to high tech manufacturing. We have a section on entrepreneurism which we are seeing a lot of, and we want to support that. Zach then reviewed the demographic data. We included new graphs breaking down ethnic and racial proportions between 2010 and 2022 for Leominster, Fitchburg, Gardner and Clinton which are four of our more urbanized areas. There is an update to the overall regional ethnic graphs as well, they are a bit more representative of Hispanic populations. You should notice the poverty rates in the region have all been updated. There are improvements to our healthcare inventory and narrative to be a little more representative of the recent closure of the Nashoba Valley Medical Center. Tracy added that we completed the SWOT analysis. While working on the SWOT, we had some lively conversations on all the characteristics of the region identifying strengths and opportunities which far outweigh our weaknesses and threats. There are many opportunities in this region. Continuing, Tracy spoke about the vision and goals. The Montachusett region strives to preserve and balance open spaces, places of industry and commercial ventures while enhancing the quality of lives and making areas attractive for current business owners, employees and those considering business relocations or expansions and to workforce development. We listed seven primary goals: 1. Continue improving/ replacing aging and inadequate infrastructure 2. Facilitate effective collaboration with regional economic stakeholders and partners 3. Foster economic diversification, business creation, and support with one regional voice 4. Promote and provide for climate resiliency 5. Support workforce development, business attraction, and retention through collaboration with regional workforce partners. 6. Promote the redevelopment and reuse of Brownfields 7. Provide for more affordable housing. Tracy shared that there is a little more research that needs to be done on the cost for the different strategies and actions. Yesterday, the MRCEDS committee meeting voted to release the document for a 30-day comment period which will end on November 1st. We will send a copy of the document to all our communities in the region. Comments can be sent to tmurphy@mrpc.org or my mail to MRPC, 464 Abbott Ave., Leominster, MA 01453. M. Bohart thanked Tracy and Zach for their patience while completing this and thanked Zach for proving the specialized demographic analysis section with the pie charts. M. Bohart initially worried about how the demographics would average throughout the entire Montachusett region. The pie charts showing the demographic change in the three cities and also Clinton was an eye opener. It was helpful and made it very easy to understand. We are an unusual region in that we have a few communities a bit more urban which change the demographic dramatically. This format was great. G. Tillotson mentioned that we are seeing growth in younger people coming into town where English is a second language. It’s phenomenal to go into a town meeting and come across larger groups of what would have been smaller groups in the past. He also mentioned the importance and growing need of 5 more affordable housing. The town of Ayer has been trying to build affordable housing for three years, but the state hasn’t moved forward with it yet which is very frustrating. Due to the update having a deadline of October 31, 2024, MRPC requested the support of the Commissioners contingent upon the comments. Montachusett Region Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (MRCEDS) REPORT: In 1994, the communities within the Montachusett Region worked in cooperation with the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) to create this region's first MRCEDS. Since then, this document has been updated and maintained by MRPC so that communities in the Montachusett Region will be eligible to access federal Economic Development Administration funding (EDA) as needed. Numerous MRCEDS meetings were held and a draft update of the CEDS was distributed to MRCEDS Committee Members, Montachusett Economic Development District Committee Members, and Montachusett Regional Planning Commission Members. Additionally, communities in the region were encouraged to submit significant projects in their communities that will prompt regional Economic Development opportunities. Comments on the draft will be taken until Nov 1, 2024. At the October 2nd, 2024, MRCEDS Committee Meeting, the committee voted to recommend that MRPC endorse the updated MRCEDS document at the October 3, 2024, MRPC monthly meeting, subject to the incorporation of any relevant comments received up through November 1, 2024. RESOLUTION: BE IT RESOLVED that the MRPC endorses the updated Montachusett Region Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy document, subject to the incorporation of any relevant comments received up until November 1, 2024. G. Tillotson moved that the MRPC endorses the updated MRCEDS document as presented, subject to the incorporation of any relevant comments received up until November 1, 2024. Motion was seconded. Roll Call Vote Followed: A. Pease – yes D. Valliere – yes G. Tillotson – yes G. Corbosiero – yes K. Munroe – yes K. Nartowicz - yes M. Bohart – yes R. Swartz – yes G. Tillotson thanked the staff and recognized all the hard work that went into getting this done. 6  T. Murphy provided a quick update on the FILLTERR (Future Industrial Lands for Long-Term Economic Recovery) grant. We’ve collected all the infrastructure in our towns and cities, and we have done a small dive analysis on some of the communities that won’t fit into this project. We wanted to let you know that we are moving forward with the project. This project is the next big project that both Tracy and Zach will be working on. K. Chapman mentioned two surveys that have been sent out, a flood survey from the state and a climate pollution reduction survey which is for the collaboration we are doing with CMRPC for our Comprehensive Climate Action Plan for the region. 6.3 Transit & Transportation B. Doherty mentioned a public information meeting that we are holding on October 30th which is related to a safety action plan we are putting together. We’ve worked on this for over a year and we are halfway through the process. At the end of this process, when we endorse the plan by the MPO next September, this will allow us to pursue additional federal funds for actual tangible shovel-in-the-dirt projects in the region above and beyond what we typically see on the Transportation Improvement Program or any other program in the region. This meeting will be held in the Fitchburg City Hall at the Legislative Building on October 30th at 6:30pm. This will be a hybrid meeting. An invitation will be sent out soon. 7. New Business Open session - This time is reserved for topics that the chair did not reasonably anticipate would be discussed. K. Munroe asked if anyone had any updates on Nashoba Medical Center and asked for an update on the letter that the commissioners voted on at the last meeting. G. Eaton said he is still working on the letter, but he should be able to get the letter out tomorrow. 8. Adjournment - The date of the next MRPC meeting – November 7, 2024, 7:00 p.m. G. Corbosiero made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded. Having no objections, the meeting was adjourned at 7:46 pm. This meeting will be recorded by the GoToMeeting app and will be made available for viewing at https://www.youtube.com/user/MontachusettRegion/videos. This notice is subject to change with reasonable notice provided to all. The Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is located at 464 Abbott Ave., Leominster, MA and is accessible to people with disabilities. MRPC provides reasonable accommodations and/or language assistance free of charge upon request (including but not limited to interpreters in American Sign Language and languages other than English, open or closed captioning for videos, assistive listening devices and alternate material formats, such as audio tapes, Braille and large print), as available. For accommodation or language assistance, please contact MRPC by phone (978- 345-7376), fax (978-348-2490) or by email mrpc@mrpc.org. All requests should be made as soon as possible prior to the meeting. Sign-language, CART or language translation or interpretation, requests should be made at least ten business days before the meeting. The MRPC fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. The MRPC operates without regard to race, color, national origin, English Proficiency, ancestry, creed, income, gender, age and/or disability. Any person who believes they or any specific class of persons, to be subject to discrimination prohibited by Title VI may by themselves or by representative file a written complaint with the MRPC. Complaints are to be filed no later than 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination. Please contact Glenn 7 Eaton, Executive Director at 978-345-7376 ext. 310 for more information. Anyone in need of translation services for any MRPC meeting or document should contact the MRPC directly in advance in order to arrange applicable services. Please contact the MRPC at mrpc@mrpc.org or (978) 345-7376 ext. 300 with questions, concerns or assistance needs regarding accessibility and/or language services. Cualquier persona en necesidad de servicios de traducción para cualquier reunión o MRPC documento pueden dirigirse a la MRPC directamente con antelación para organizar los servicios correspondientes. Meeting Attendance Name M/A Representing Appointment Date Present Absent Arpano, Abby A Ashburnham 12.2023 X Vacant M Ashburnham X Leab, Doug A Ashby 7.2023 X Pease, Alan M Ashby 7.2001 X Bialecki, Rebecca A Athol 7.2020. X Norton, Kathy M Athol 11.2023 X Copeland, Shaun A Ayer 7.2020. X Tillotson, Geoff M Ayer 7.2022 X Vacant A Clinton X Duffy, Phil M Clinton 12.2011 X Angus, Neil N/V DREZ 7.2023 X Bohart, Mary Jo A Fitchburg 7.2021 X Butland, Alyne M Fitchburg 7.2020. X Labonte, Amber A Gardner 1.2024 X Swartz, Robert M Gardner 7.2019 X Burke, Russell A Groton 7.2022 X Cunningham, Peter M Groton 7.2016 X Minar, Kara A Harvard 7.2021 X Thornton, Doug M Harvard 9.2024 X 8 Kresge, Mark A Hubbardston 7.2023 X Munroe, Kristofer M Hubbardston 7.2023 X Dolan, Kelly A Lancaster 7.2023 X Streeter, Frank M Lancaster 7.2023 X Vacant A Leominster X Valliere, Dean M Leominster 7.2019 X Vacant A Lunenburg X Reid, Amanda M Lunenburg 7.2022 X Poodry, Deb A Petersham 7.2024 X Vacant M Petersham X Jackson, Melanie A Phillipston 7.2022 X Telepciak, John M Phillipston 7.2001 X Barclay, James A Royalston 7.2017 X Nartowicz, Kyle M Royalston 7.2022 X Oelfke, Bill A Shirley 7.2020. X Yocum, Barbara M Shirley 8.2017 X Newman, Kirsten A Sterling 7.2023 X Newman, Eric M Sterling 8.2024 X Bennett, Jeff A Templeton 7.2023 X Rich, Dennis M Templeton 7.2017 X Vacant A Townsend 9.2024 X Shifrin, Laura M Townsend 7.2019 X Vacant A Westminster X Ferris, Michael M Westminster 7.2025 X 9  Beauvais, Andrew A Winchendon 7.2025 X Corbosiero, Guy M Winchendon 7.2011 X Guests: Carol Hoffses – Townsend Planning Board Staff: G. Eaton, H. Ford, K. Chapman, L. Quinlivan, B. Doherty, J. Stanton, T. Murphy, Z. Kay, G. Belmont DOCUMENTS/EXHIBITS DISTRIBUTED FOR THE MEETING September 5, 2024, MRPC Meeting Minutes October 3, 2024, MRPC Meeting Agenda October 3, 2024, MRPC Meeting Agenda with Details MRPC Grant Opportunities Spreadsheet MRCEDS Final Draft MRCEDS 24 Cover Summary Final Appendix A Priority Projects Final Appendix B Regional Demographics Final Appendix C Public Participation & Resources Final 10