Planning Commission Minutes, 01.23.2023
Planning Commission DRAFT Minutes
Wednesday, January 23, 6:30 p.m., 236 School Rd, Guilford VT
Planning Commission members attending: Julie Holland, Charles Light, Jeannette Tokarz, Jethro Eaton, Zon Eastes (Selectboard liaison)
Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m.
Recognition of the Public: Jean Eastman, David Eastman, Nancy Detra. Bill Jewel (Energy Committee).
Invited guest: Rob Szpila, Windham Region Seniors’ Health Collaborative
Rules and Procedures: No changes. Follow Robert’s Rules and basic respect and civility
Changes to Agenda: None
NEW BUSINESS
The purpose of this meeting was to hear presentations by Rob Szpila on the Windham Aging Report; Jethro Eaton on the housing workshop he attended as rep of the Guilford Planning Commission; Julie Holland on ARPA’s final report; and an update on progress re the strategic planning consultant.
Rob spoke on the Windham Aging Report which could be summed up as: Vermont is getting older fast and Windham county is outpacing the state. Along with a graying population, there is a declining population of young people in their prime earning years. The report examines the impacts on health, transportation, etc.; collected a wealth of data and reports on that data; and is a result of collaboration with other organizations and academic institutions.
The report notes the high rate of poverty in Windham County, the lack of housing, the high cost of housing, the shortfalls in the transportation system, and the workforce shortages, especially in health care.
Rob spoke of the need for a plan for the future that would look at outcomes, strategies, and have a way to measure progress on benchmarks. There is a need to connect with all local towns, conduct extensive public meetings and listening sessions and identify priorities.
The follow up discussion looked at concerns about getting a cross section of the population involved, especially low income folks without access to computers and/or reliable transportation. A possible pathway would be one on one conversations with affected seniors and the population living in poverty, as well as the health and social workers who are involved in helping, as to what they identify as their needs and possible solutions.
The group also discussed climate refugees and immigration to Vermont because of environmental catastrophes taking place elsewhere, i.e. fires, floods, droughts, tornadoes, etc. Where will any new workforce live? What about seniors who can no longer live in their homes and what accommodations can we offer that will let the elderly age gracefully and in place? Possible solutions including house sharing among seniors and with their care workers, ADU’s, co-housing, nursing homes, assisted living, group homes with mixed ages, etc.
Nancy Detra spoke about the Brattleboro Affordable Housing Project and the necessity to replace single family zoning with the ability to put up multi-family units.
Access to potable water and wastewater treatment were mentioned as limiting factors in a rural environment. Possible residential and senior development in Algiers was discussed.
Bill talked about the issue in an energy context re homes and transportation.
Jethro presented a report on the housing meeting in Wilmington. He spoke about the missing middle, the lack of a workforce due to, among other things, the high cost and unavailability of housing. For example, Brattleboro needs 500 units now. Winston-Prouty is working on mixed income housing.
Julie spoke about ARPA’s final report and recommendations to the SB. She described the ARPA Committee’s work in gathering community input, organizing a survey, prioritizing categories that came out of this outreach and their recommendations to the SB. The report, which is available on the Guilford Town Web Site, analyzes both the projects recommended for funding and other projects that need more work. There is presently $184,648.24 remaining in Guilford’s ARPA funds. The ARPA report has been recommended by Katie Buckley as an example for use throughout the state because of its successful efforts at community outreach and identification of “shovel ready” projects.
Re the strategic planning consultant we are waiting for final contracts from D&K.
Julie motions for adjournment, Jethro seconds and it passes unanimously. PC adjourns at 8:01.
The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 15, 2021 at 6:30 at the town offices.