Guilford Planning Commission meeting 07.22.26

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Attendees: Jethro Eaton, Michael Knapp, Nathanael Matthiesen, Marty Ramsburg, Jeannette Tokarz, Michael Szostek, Selectboard liaison
Absent: Christina Belagour, Charles Light, Nathanael Matthiesen
Public: Jean Zeeb

Agenda
Meeting started at 6:34 pm
Minutes of 6/24/26 meeting approved unanimously. Jethro made the motion. Michael seconded

New Business
1. The Guilford Guide has won the Vermont Planner’s Association ‘Project of the Year’ award. The award ceremony will be held in Winooski on July 29. Rick Zamore will attend to accept the award

Old Business
1. The next edition of the Town Plan is due in 2030. A working group composed of Michael K., Marty, Jeannette and Bob Tobin are reviewing the goals of the Strategic Plan and Town Plan to consolidate them where possible, archive those that have been achieved and set aside those that seem to be no longer relevant. In the first phase of this effort the SMART metric will be used to assess the goals:
– Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time bound. Other metrics may be used as appropriate.
– The group is meeting every other week until the project is complete.
– Updates will be posted on the Town website
2. Facilitate community conversations regarding Guilford’s future. The 2030-2038 Town Plan should reflect the community’s goals for its future and be a ‘living document.’  The commission will need to develop a community engagement plan that is inclusive and welcoming to all to encourage participation in planning for the future of the Town. The Vermont Council on Rural Development’s Community Leadership in Action guide has concrete suggestions. The Vermont Planning Manual is also helpful.
– Jeannette will share that document with PC members. Selected chapters will be discussed at the August meeting.
3. Planning Commission Charter creation. The draft Charter distributed to members in advance of the meeting was well received. Michael S. requested that the Mission Statement include acknowledgement that Guilford is part of a larger community (other towns, the state, the New England region) and reflect that perspective in its work.
– A revision that includes this perspective will be discussed at the next meeting.
4. Planning Commission landing page ‘Land Use’ topics. The list of topics previously distributed to members was reviewed.
– Since the ADU information is readily available that will be posted first while working on the Act 181/159 summary

Meeting adjourned at 7:36 pm. Marty made the motion to adjourn, Jethro seconded. Passed unanimously

Next Meeting
August 26, 2026 6:30 pm
Zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83942012410