HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-06-20-2020-min (Implementation Committee)
2020 Vision Implementation Committee
June 20, 2003 – Meeting Minutes
7:45 a.m. Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members Present
: Tom Harden, Jeanne Krieger, Nancy Wilson, Helen Cohen, Jerome Smith,
John Bartenstein, Alan Lazarus, and Todd Burger
Others:
Rick White, Candy McLaughlin, Kerry Evans, Wendy Rundle, and Elaine Sterzin
Administrative Matters:
The minutes from the May 2, 2003, Implementation Committee were
presented for approval. The minutes were unanimously approved.
Implications of Override Failure and Future Direction:
Much discussion was held regarding what implications the override vote will have on the plan for
a major roll-out of the 2020 process in the fall. There was a general consensus that the 2020
process needs to continue, even in the current turbulent climate of the Town. There was debate,
however, as to when the process should start with regard to a possible future override vote.
Concerns were voiced that there is too much “noise” in the community for the 2020 plan to be
given full attention by the community right now or even until early fall. There was also
discussion of whether the focus of the next 2020 step should be altered from the original plan.
Many in the group feel that the 2020 process can help open the lines of communication in the
Town and can be used to facilitate open and productive dialogue. Jeanne said that the committee
should maintain its focus in dealing with the future and try not to get bogged down in the day-to-
day activities and political situations in the Town. The override issue should be settled by late
September. She also mentioned that it was time to get out into the community and start drawing
in people who have not been involved in the Town so far.
Many feel that the failed override vote provides an opportunity to the community, and not
connecting to the event would be a mistake. The issues surrounding the override offer
opportunities to talk about trade-offs in the vision and goals. Lack of communication and
understanding of the budget process has caused some disconnect within the community. Alan
Lazarus reported a discussion held at Wednesday’s TMMA meeting regarding a proposal to have
discussion groups regarding budget formation. A suggestion was raised to have community
precinct meetings involving all the town meeting members from that precinct. Candy mentioned
the success of the “No Place for Hate” Study Circles trial, and that the committee hopes to roll
out the actual groups for the fall. Rick voiced the opinion that this might be the time to not only
draw attention to what the town wants for the future but the process of discussing opinions in an
open and productive manner.
Next Iteration:
Wendy suggested that the Process Subcommittee begin to articulate and spell out the steps the
2020 vision should take to move forward. Members need to be recruited to round out the other
subcommittees, and Candy is going to send an email to the current members asking them to
consider whom they think should be involved. Rick, Candy, and Wendy will discuss concrete
next steps before the Process Subcommittee meeting.
Upcoming dates:
7/11 – Process Subcommittee
7/25 – Implementation Committee
Meeting adjourned at 9:06 am.
2020 Vision Implementation Committee 1 June 20, 2003