Strategic Long-Range Planning Committee Formed

By John Voket

After more than a year of deliberation, the Board of Selectmen took action this week, formally appointing four Newtown volunteers to a nonpolicymaking long-range strategic planning committee. The four residents who have accepted posts on the committee are Michael Floros, Anna Wiedemann, Peter Marshall, and Kathryn Fetchick.

Mr Marshall, a former comptroller for an international company, said the formation of this committee is an exciting prospect for the town. In his career, he was often engaged in long-range planning and the allocation or recommendation of capital allocations for those projects.

“By moving in this direction, forming a long-range planning process, the town has an opportunity to stake out its future,” Mr Marshall said. “I think this [kind of committee] is valuable for towns.”

Ms Fetchick, who is a Republican candidate for the Board of Education, said she was happy to see the plan for seating a long-range planning committee getting off the ground.

“I feel that this is an important issue for the town,” she said. “The group is small to start so that we can lay the groundwork as to how to proceed. Once that is done, then we can figure out how many additional people will be needed and what their qualifications should be.”

Ms Wiedemann, who is a Democratic candidate for the school board, expressed similar sentiments.

“I am pleased to be appointed,” Ms Wiedemann said. “My attitude is always, knowledge is power.”

She said being part of this group will be a good learning experience.

“I am always willing to volunteer my time and efforts and am more than happy when I can come away with a new skill,” she said.

Calls to Mr Floros for comment were not immediately returned.

What was first floated in April 2006 as a concept that few other Connecticut towns and cities currently utilize, the long-range planning committee members would serve as a liaison between members of the public, special interest groups and town agencies, and the Board of Selectmen in determining the need, scope, and cost of possible capital projects and initiatives beyond the scope of the town’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

The eventual full complement of members could number as many as a dozen, but over the course of discussions, the selectmen seemed more comfortable aiming for a core group of six to eight. They suggested the group develop various volunteer subcommittees, as needed, to research or address ideas that come from the work of the core committee.

According to the charge that was approved several months ago, the selectmen will request the long-term planning committee members to “consider the town’s financial capabilities as well as other funding sources. Develop a process for creating and updating a long-range strategic plan, and make periodic reports of finds to the Board of Selectmen.”

The charge suggests the committee would do well to review the current five-year CIP Regulations and Plan (as to Board of Finance methodology); the Town Plan of Conservation and Development; the Strategic Plan of Economic Development; Newtown’s Open Space Plan; the school board’s population consultant’s and State of Connecticut Demographic Projections for school enrollment; as well as the Fairfield Hills Master Plan.

The full committee or members of its subcommittees are recommended to meet with representatives of the Board of Finance for CIP, debt policy, fund balance policy; the Board of Education for future school needs, i.e., middle school, additional schools; and the Parks and Recreation Commission for fields and recreation facilities, i.e., recreation center/community center, swimming facility.

In addition, members of the proposed long-range panel should tap the expertise of the Board of Fire Commissioners regarding future facilities and personnel; the Police Commission for similar concerns; the Commission on Aging for senior center/recreation center; the Economic Development Commission for Strategic Plan of Economic Development and Newtown Technology Park; and the Planning & Zoning Commission for Plan of Conservation and Development.

Also, the Open Space Task Force on the open space plan and acquisitions strategy; the Fairfield Hills Authority on issues related to the master plan and implementation thereof; the Ad Hoc Cultural Arts Committee for arts center/community center; and the Water and Sewer Authority for regulations and capacity.

Staff contacts would include the financial director, community development director, public works director, and the superintendent of schools, incorporating the resources of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, the HVCEO (Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials) and the National League of Cities.