East Charlotte Planning Process Moves Forward
by Edd Merritt,
May 20,2010, Page 5.....

What makes a village a village?

That’s a question East Charlotte residents have been grappling with for the better part of a year.

A temporary task force established February 23 has developed a proposal to ensure that matters go according to the community’s wishes. Jennifer Adsit, Trina Bianchi, Matthew Hough, Heather Manning and Edd Merritt have been meeting as that group.

The task force distributed a survey to residents asking them to prioritize action steps developed at the community meetings. They will present the results of that survey to community members at the next open meeting May 27, beginning at 6:45 p.m. in the Grange Hall on Spear Street. (It’s not too late to return completed surveys to Dean Bloch at the planning office in the Town Hall.)
The task force will suggest that a steering committee to oversee the process be created and that individuals have an opportunity to sign up to help with specific projects. The steering committee would report to the town’s Planning Commission, which would review matters with the appropriate governance groups, primarily the Selectboard and Zoning Board of Adjustment, before taking them to the voters.

If those at the next meeting agree, the current task force will be dissolved, and steering and working committees will be formed. Liaisons between steering committee and work groups would be responsible to see that no one operates in a vacuum.

The proposal also suggests that the steering committee be responsible for informing residents continually through the Charlotte media, and that it hold open meetings, at least quarterly.

At the next meeting, the task force hopes to develop some action steps that the working committees can address immediately. It felt that staying within the democratic process is an important goal; gaining broad input is critical.

The task force encourages you to join them at the Grange on May 27.