Planning Board to Discuss Town Center Initiative Monday Night

The Planning Board will be attending the Board of Selectmen's meeting on Monday night at 7 p.m. The two sides will be discussing a possible grant the Planning Board is applying for through a partnership with the Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance (MSGA).

The MSGA is an urban development group that aides various communities throughout Massachusetts by way of legislative influence, economic stimulus support, issues concerning land protection, and as with the Planning Board, acquiring these grant funds from the MSGA.

The grant the board is applying for will go towards the ongoing Town Center Initiative.

Just one part of the Planning Board's Master Plan, the Town Center Initiative is a multiphase project that deals with downtown area parking, shaping and preserving built and natural environments, and general development of retail, housing and cultural/educational centers throughout the downtown area.

“We and the [MSGA] are in great alignment with our thoughts on where and how to spend money on this large-scale project,” said Vice Chair, Elizabeth Cregger explaining why the Board sought involvement with the MSGA.

Monday, the board will detail these recent grant efforts for the Selectmen and recommend how best to allocate these grant funds should they be received. The overall goal of Monday's meeting will be to impart the finer points of the Town Center Initiative to the Selectmen as Spring Town Meeting nears, when total funds for the Town Center Initiative and various other town projects will be voted on.

“We are cautiously optimistic,” said Board Member Lance Grenzeback when asked if he thought the funds would be granted to the town through the MSGA.

For more information on the Town Center Initiative, click or, for official documents, visit the town's website.