Board of Commissioners State of the Town Address

April 24, 2023 Board of Commissioners State of the Town Address Approved: ____________________ May 22, 2023 Page 1 of 2 Minutes Board of Commissioners State of the Town Address 7 p.m. April 24, 2023 Board Meeting Room, Town Hall Annex, 105 E. Corbin St. Present: Mayor Jenn Weaver and commissioners Mark Bell, Robb English, Kathleen Ferguson and Matt Hughes Absent: Commissioner Evelyn Lloyd Staff: Human Resources Manager Haley Bizzell, Communications Specialist Dale Edwards, Assistant Town Manager and Community Services Director Matt Efird, Town Clerk and Human Resources Technician Sarah Kimrey, Town Manager Eric Peterson, Senior Communications Specialist Cheryl Sadgrove, Public Space and Sustainability Manager Stephanie Trueblood and Communications Manager Catherine Wright 1. Opening of the work session Mayor Jenn Weaver called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. 2. Agenda changes and approval There was none. 3. In-depth discussion and topics The mayor presented the 2023 State of the Town address. She began by encouraging residents to sign up for the emergency notifications system OC Alerts and to attend the Engage Hillsborough: Safety event on April 29. She also recognized the efforts of the town board and staff and highlighted recent accomplishments in Hillsborough, including the Hillsborough Arts Council’s revamping of the Last Friday Arts Walk, the opening of the Dorothy Johnson Community Center and progress on the planned train station. She also touted positive prospects and projects that will bring more people to Hillsborough. Weaver focused much of her speech on the Comprehensive Sustainability Plan and urged residents to read it. She said the plan sets forth goals, actions and strategies to guide the town to reach its vision in a sustainable way “as applied to not just the physical development of the town, but the economic health, community connectivity, equity, public health, safety and energy.” The mayor also stressed the need to seriously take on the issues of housing affordability and transportation. She said the Comprehensive Sustainability Plan addresses those challenges with options including walkable communities and pursuing opportunities to increase income-restricted or subsidized housing. She also urged residents to consider changes in their routines and to recognize that a more equitable and environmentally sustainable Hillsborough is incompatible with the status quo. She implored residents to become familiar with the Transportation for the Future Act, which could provide towns with tools to make transportation planning easier if passed.  April 24, 2023 Board of Commissioners State of the Town Address Approved: ____________________ May 22, 2023 Page 2 of 2 4. Adjournment Weaver adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sarah Kimrey Town Clerk Staff support to the Board of Commissioners