Planning Commission DRAFT Minutes 9.25.24

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, 6:30pm, 236 School Rd, Guilford VT
Planning Commission members attending: Charlie Light, Jethro Eaton, Jeannette
Tokarz, Nathaniel Matthiesen, Julie Holland (via Zoom) and Zon Eastes (Select board
liaison
Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 6:41 p.m.
Recognition of the Public: No Public
Rules and Procedures: No changes, as outlined by Select Board. Basic respect and
civility
Changes to Agenda: None
Charlie moved to accept the minutes from the July meeting. Julie seconded and motion
was carried unanimously.
Updates & New Business:
Discussion of Straegic Plan Goals. Public meeting planned in March to go over the land
use part of the Strategic Plan. Decided that each member of the PC pick one goal to
concentrate on and lead the meeting to discuss in depth. The March meeting will be to
engage, inform and provide information to the Guilford community on land usage.
The use of pictures was discussed and Josh Farr, a photographer who lives in town and
is on the Conservation Commission, has taken the lead in soliciting pictures and
producing a show that will be put up at the BBCC for a time period that includes the
March meeting. Photos should be of things that speak to and are important to Guilford
and its legacy. The feeling is that this visual setting will help to increase mindfulness of
the future and set visual content to promote the discussion.
Jeannette has contacted Meg Mott from Putney to moderate the March meeting. She is
adept at community dialogue and is a professor of political theory.
We will discuss case studies of different outcomes re land use planning from “no action”
to different actions and strategies aimed at preserving land, resources, and Guilford’s
legacy.
Discussion of a core group that is working on economic vitality. Lisa Ford, Christina
Belogour and Ali West have taken the initiative on this project. Looking for new
members. Talked aout reaching out to local farms–old and new–to join this effort.

Discussion of what can Guilford do to create housing for young families? For seniors?
Talked about creating overlay map where there is general agreement that development
should not happen.
Changed our meeting date in November to the third Wednesday of the month because
of Thanksgiving. This is the meeting that will be with the Conservation Commission.
Talked about:
The need to get things done.
The controversy over GPI’s housing development plans and the development that
nobody knows too much about across Route 5 which seems to becoming a place to
store trailer truck parts. It does not seem that the town has jurisdiction there, nor the
state, assuming that there are no water, Act 250 issues.
Trying to avoid binary choices. Emphasize that choices we can make are on a
continuum.
Trying to work with other local partners such as Windham Regional and other towns to
best utilize resources and to learn from each other.
Water and sewer solutions. The possibility of extending the water/sewer system up
Guilford Center Road and Route 5. The engineering problems of extending past Tater
Lane because of need for some kind of pump station past that point.
Trying to hook up homeowners with failing septics systems with possible state help and
solutions.
A smart growth plan.
The possibility of infill housing, such as ADUs, shared housing, ec.
How to provide housing that conforms with Guilford’s rural character.
We should have the Guilford Guide done and available by town meeting.
Motion to adjourn was made by Nathaniel and seconded by Jethro. The vote was
unanimous and the meeting was adjourned at 8:05PM.

Link to video recording: https://youtu.be/zGb31_JxZYs