New Comprehensive Plan Committee meets first time

MILLBROOK — Despite stating they wanted closer cooperation with the village of Millbrook, the first meeting of the town of Washington’s full Comprehensive Plan Committee (CPC) was held on Tuesday, Oct. 12, the same night as the regularly scheduled Village Board meeting.

Maureen King, CPC member,  said that date was decided late on Thursday and that everyone had a sense of urgency about getting started. The full committee was present, with the exception of David Strayer, including new members Josh Mackey and Kate Farrell.

Once again the discussion turned to the vision statement, with veteran committee member Jerry Baker commenting that everyone wants the same thing, though he said it “turned out to be more difficult than what we thought.� The village role in the plan, affordable housing and the results of the community survey were discussed as important points in the plan.

Karen Mosca reminded the group that the 17 percent response rate in the town of Washington was exactly the same as that of Rhinebeck. Margaret Irwin of River Street, the consultant to the committee, said the survey should be regarded as anecdotal and not representative of all the views in the town.

New member Farrell spoke about the necessity of getting the public involved. She recommended making a circle and including everyone.

From the audience, Tony Sloan pointed out that diversity of housing and stabilized taxes are not compatible and urged the committee to include a financial analysis of the proposed plan. Longtime CPC member Tim Marshall stated his concern with extending the process.

“We’ve been in the same place for four months and it’s time to move ahead,� he said.

The visioning meeting on Saturday, Dec. 11, proposed by the subcommittee, was agreed to with details on the content and process to be discussed at the next meeting, which will be held on Monday, Nov. 1.

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