Solicitation for Planning Committee Members at Large

INTERESTED IN HELPING SHAPE YOUR TOWN’S FUTURE?

The Town of Harwich is preparing to update its Land Use Master Plan, or “Local Comprehensive Plan,” (LCP) commencing in 2022. The Plan, which is intended to inform future growth and development in the town, including issues relative to resource protection and infrastructure, was first adopted in 1967 and subsequently updated in 1993, 2000 and 2011.  The Planning Board is ultimately responsible for reviewing the Plan update and submitting it to Town Meeting for adoption.

To this end, the Board of Selectmen is looking for members from the community at large to appoint to the Local Planning Committee.  The Local Planning Committee (LPC) will be advisory to the Planning Board and will work with the Town Planner and Planning Consultant (and other town boards, committees and officials, as necessary) to help guide and develop a draft Plan update for recommendation to the Planning Board.  The Plan update will emphasize public process and engagement.

The Committee will have a total of eleven (11) members: it is anticipated that six (6) will be from local boards and committees and five (5) from the community at large.

Though direct, relevant land use experience (like engineering, law, planning, etc.) is helpful, there are no specific qualifications, criteria, skills, expertise or experience required to serve.
Qualifications could include extensive local history and knowledge; a cultural or other perspective particularly salient to the history or current life of the community; or simply a ‘love’ for the Town.

Candidates from wide and diverse backgrounds offer great value to the process and are encouraged to apply.

It is essential that members not have a pre-determined ‘agenda, be driven by a ‘single-interest,’ or be self-interested; members shall act in the overarching best interests of the town as a whole with a collaborative, constructive, multi-disciplinary, multi-perspective approach to the Committee and its work.

There will be an extensive time and work commitment associated with serving on the Committee.  The estimated time period to prepare and adopt the Plan update is approximately 2 years.   The Committee expects to hold meetings and hearings during this time every few weeks throughout the Plan update process.

After completion and adoption of the Plan update, the Committee may remain empaneled to assist with its implementation.

The Town enthusiastically welcomes responses and looks forward to commencing this important and exciting project.  Those interested in serving as community at large members of the Local Planning Committee should submit a statement of interest, which may include a resume or CV, for receipt by January 15, 2022 to: Planning Department, Town Hall, 732 Main Street, Harwich, MA 02645 or by email to Elaine Banta, Planning Assistant, ebanta@town.harwich.ma.us

The Board of Selectmen, or its designee, will review responses received, hold interviews as it sees fit and notify successful candidates of their selection, the appointments subject to acceptance.

Please feel free to contact the Planning Department at the above address or by telephone at (508) 430-7511 with questions.