HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-09-2020-min2020 Vision Committee
Minutes of March 9, 2012
Selectmen's Meeting Room
Members present: Fernando Quezada, Margaret Coppe, Dan Krupka, Marian Cohen,
Jane Warren, Andrew Dixon, and Selectman Liaison George Burnell
Staff: Candy McLaughlin
Action Items:
Continue recruiting volunteers for the Demographic Change Subcommittee.
Get staff input for survey
Meeting Began: 7:45 a.m.
The Committee approved the minutes from February 10, 2012.
Subcommittee to broaden Asian - American participation in local government.
Fernando gave an update on membership recruitment, stating that committee members
Peter Lee, Bhumip Khasnabish, and Dan Krupka have agreed to be on the subcommittee.
Dan consented to serve as chair. Susie Lee -Snell and Meena Kathandaraman have
accepted membership invitations. It was decided to contact TMMA and the League of
Women Voters to recruit people with experience in community involvement. After
discussion about the membership requirements laid out in the subcommittee's charge, a
change was unanimously approved to replace "PTAs" with "civic organizations."
Candy will send the amended charge to the Town Clerk.
Planning for community survey. FY13 funding to support a 2020 Vision survey will be
available on July 1 if approved. Marian suggested that we probably would not need a
consultant to design the survey, but would use the funds to pay for expenses of
administering the survey and for analyzing and publicizing results. A concern was raised
about potential "survey fatigue" if multiple departments all ask the community for
information within a short time frame. Candy will find out more about the information
needs of departments who have future community survey plans, and perhaps much of the
data could be collected in one place.
There was discussion about the nature of surveys — how people answer and what they
expect to happen next. A survey introduction was suggested to state that survey results
will be viewed as a statement of community values and be used to inform future
decisions of the Town. Members agreed with Jane's suggestion that an open -ended
question be included; follow -up to the responses could be part of future community
engagement efforts.
Previous Task Force recommendations. Members present discussed the handout
summarizing recommendations from past 2020 Vision Task Forces and reviewed positive
outcomes from a number of these recommendations. Fernando suggested that there is not
necessarily a straight line between a Task Force recommendation and a specific action;
often just bringing attention to issues is helpful. This document will be the basis for
ongoing committee discussion.
Margaret asked about changes to the Town's website, and Candy responded that some
things will be done over the next few months. A Webmaster position included in the
FYI budget will be filled early in July if approved. There was some discussion about
the possibility of setting up web pages or blogs for elected officials who were interested,
but not everyone agreed. Candy stated that the Town should have a policy about this in
case it comes up.
Meeting Adjourned: 9:07
Future meeting schedule — all on Fridays at 7:45 a.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room
o April
o May 4
o June 8