Comprehensive Plan moves ahead

WASHINGTON — The regular monthly meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Committee drew another full house to the town court for the first meeting of the year on  Monday, Jan. 3. The meeting’s two-hour discussion centered on plans for the Comprehensive Plan vision statement meeting, to be held on Saturday, Feb. 5, at the Millbrook firehouse.

Former teacher Howard Shuman presented the idea of using a questionnaire and a Scantron machine to tabulate participants’ opinions on themes for the vision statement. The results would be instantaneous and allow more time for discussion. There was a murmur of general agreement that this was a much better idea than using colored stickers on posted signs. Committee member Jerry Baker reminded the group that the results should not be considered a vote. The group decided collectively it should be characterized as a poll.

Tony Sloan, village resident and former military strategic planner, followed up on his presentation on performance and warned the group that without these they are “building on a muddy foundation.� But he said repeatedly the criticism was “nothing personal.�

After a discussion about the process the committee decided that the vision statement was still the right place to begin. Committee member Jesse Bonticou said, “I’ve been at this three years. If we start switching I won’t live long enough to see the plan.�

Another three-year veteran of the committee, David Strayer, said, “It’s premature to develop performance measures before there are goals.�

Another committee member, as well as town Planning Board member, Josh Mackey, presented the idea of a dedicated website for the comprehensive planning effort and presented a proposal to construct the site, which he later also presented at the town of Washington reorganization meeting. He said he believes that the site could be up and running before the vision meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 5. The need for committee volunteers to monitor the site’s online forum messages was also acknowledged.

One person in the audience observed that the vision statement should be brief and inspirational.

“Why can’t we just talk about what we want to do?� town resident and frequent committee attendee Barbara Ohrbach asked.

Eric Leine, another resident in attendance, said, “This is democracy gone wild. There has to be some direction.�

Town Supervisor Florence Prisco, who arrived early for the town reorganization meeting, commended the committee as a “group of citizens trying to get their feet under them.�

The discussion would have continued but the room had to be turned over to the Town Board at 8 p.m. for the official town reorganization meeting.

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