WELLESLEY UNIFIED PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016, 7:00 PM
WELLESLEY COMMUNITY CENTER
MINUTES
Steering Committee Members Present: Kathleen Woodward, Marcia Testa-Simonson,
Marjorie Freiman, Ellen Gibbs, Ann Marie Gross, Amir Kripper, Diogo Teixeira, Ann-Mara
Lanza, Lise Olney, Deborah Carpenter, Katy Gibson, Miguel Lessing, Chris Cavallerano, Suzy
Littlefield (alt. for Larry Shind), John Roslansky, Owen Dugan, Bettina Eikeboom (alt. for Mark
Wolfson), Michael D’Ortenzio, Richard Howell, Don Kelley, Hal Marcus, Chris Shedd, Regina
LaRocque, Joellen Toussaint, Hans Fischman, Demian Wendrow, Michael Tartamella, William
Giezentanner, Marlene Allen, Thomas Ulfelder, Dennis DiSchino, Kevin Hanron, Kathleen
Nagle, Laura Rodormer, and Bongani Musikavanhu
Steering Committee Members Absent (not including alternates or members represented by
alternates): David Smith, Robert Kenney, Harriet Warshaw, Steve Yang, Michelle Chalmers,
Heather Sawitsky, David Himmelberger, Tripp Sheehan, Barbara McMahon, Dave Donohue,
Derek Redgate, and KC Kato
Staff Present: Meghan Jop, Michael Zehner, Mike Pakstis, Heather Lamplough, and Victor
Panak
Consultant Team Present: Larissa Brown (Stantec), Erin Garnaas-Holmes (Stantec), Jane
Wiseman (Institute for Excellence in Government), Daphne Politis (Community Circle), Barry
Keppard (MAPC), and Noémie Sportiche (MAPC)
Meeting Documents: October 6, 2016 Steering Committee Meeting Agenda; Memo from
Michael Zehner, dated September 29, 2016, re: Appointment of Steering Committee Members;
September 29 and October 4 Steering Committee Membership Lists; Memo from Michael
Zehner, dated September 29, 2016, re: Modification of Charge to Steering Committee; Amended
Charger to the Steering Committee, approved by the Board of Selectmen on September 27; Draft
Minutes of the August 30, 2016 Steering Committee Meeting; Memo from Michael Zehner,
dated September 29, 2016, re: Unified Plan Brand and Logo; Logo Brief; Proposed Work Plan
from Stantec RFP Response; Unified Plan Overview Handout
Committee Housekeeping Matters
Mr. Zehner opened the meeting at approximately 7:00pm and welcomed the members of the
Steering Committee. Mr. Zehner recognized Mrs. Freiman and Mrs. Carpenter, who made
opening comments behalf of the Board of Selectmen and Planning Board.
Appointment of Steering Committee Members: Mr. Zehner welcomed the at-large members
of the Steering Committee, appointed by the Committee at the October 6 meeting. Mr.
Zehner indicated that the Steering Committee would need to consider the appointment of
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Minutes of the October 6, 2016 Unified Plan Steering Committee Meeting
three additional at-large representatives to the Steering Committee, as recommended by the
Project Management Group: Bongani Musikavanhu, Steve Yang, and Michelle Chalmers.
Mr. Cavallerano made a motion to appoint Mr. Musikavanhu, Mr. Yang, and Mrs.
Chalmers. Mrs. Gibbs seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously by the
Steering Committee.
Modification of Charge to Steering Committee: Mr. Zehner reviewed the modified Charge to
the UP Steering Committee, striking the requirement that the Committee appoint a Chair and
Vice-Chair as discussed at the October 6 meeting. Mr. Zehner noted that the revision had
been approved by the Board of Selectmen and Planning Board on the recommendation of the
Project Management Group. Mr. Zehner indicated that no action by the Steering Committee
was necessary, but welcomed any questions or comments. There were no questions or
comments from the Steering Committee members.
Approval of August 30, 2016 Steering Committee Minutes: In the Committee’s consideration
of the minutes of the August 30 meeting, Mr. Zehner referenced that there had been a request
from at least one member of the Committee that additional detail be added to the minutes.
Mr. Zehner recognized Mrs. Gibson, who indicated that she is not looking for a lot more
detail, but a little more specificity, such as “discussed deliverables” should include some
more specifics. Mr. Zehner suggested that the minutes be held, and the Committee could
approve at the next meeting. Mrs. Gibson made a motion to continue consideration of the
minutes to the Committee’s next meeting. Mr. Lessing seconded the motion. The motion
was approved unanimously by the Committee.
Unified Plan Brand and Logo: Mr. Zehner discussed the development of the brand and logo
for the Unified Plan, with the assistance of Mr. Howell. Mr. Howell spoke about the ideas
behind the logo brief and eventual logo. Mr. Howell suggested that the logo should reflect
the process and goals associated with the Unified Plan. There was consensus among the
Committee that the developed logo was satisfactory.
Introductions and Swearing in of At-Large Members: Mr. Zehner recognized Mrs. Nagle, as
Town Clerk, to swear in the at-large member of the Committee. Mrs. Nagle performed the
necessary swearing in. Mrs. Nagle referenced that all members were subject to Open Meeting
and Ethics laws.
Review of Unified Plan Structure and Roles
Overview: Mr. Zehner recognized Dr. Larissa Brown with Stantec. Dr. Brown discussed the
agenda for the meeting. Dr. Brown introduced the consultant team and their roles: Erin GarnaasHolmes (Stantec), Jane Wiseman (Institute for Excellence in Government), and Daphne Politis
(Community Circle), along with Noémie Sportiche (MAPC).
Dr. Brown discussed what the Unified Plan is, describing the process and the Plan itself. Dr.
Brown discussed both the strategic and comprehensive/master plan aspects of the Plan. Dr.
Brown discussed the various stages in the development of the Plan, and the expected schedule
moving forward.
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Minutes of the October 6, 2016 Unified Plan Steering Committee Meeting
Strategy for Town Government: Dr. Brown recognized Mrs. Wiseman to discuss the strategic
plan aspects of the Unified Plan. Mrs. Wiseman discussed the uniqueness of the Unified Plan.
Mrs. Wiseman described her role as bringing best practices into the planning process. Mrs.
Wiseman discussed the role of customer driven government, analytics, and transparency. Mrs.
Wiseman presented related examples.
Community Health Element: Mrs. Wiseman recognized Mrs. Sportiche. Mrs. Sportiche
explained the role of MAPC and the grant-funded effort to develop a public health element as
part of the Unified Plan. Mrs. Sportiche discussed the relationship between public health,
planning, and policy development. Mrs. Sportiche discussed the timeline for the public health
element, noting that the timeline would be different due to the associated funding for this
element.
Community Engagement: Mrs. Sportiche recognized Mrs. Politis. Mrs. Politis discussed the
importance of the Unified Plan work and the role of public engagement in the process to
develop the Plan. Mrs. Politis discussed the necessary steps to engage the Wellesley community
in the planning process. Mrs. Politis asked members of the Committee to provide information on
their networks, and invited interested members to volunteer to serve on a Community
Engagement subcommittee (now known as the Community Engagement Advisors).
Questions, Discussion, Community Engagement Sign-Ups and Assignments
Dr. Brown invited questions and comments from the Committee.
Mrs. Freiman asked about the timeline for the development of other working groups. Dr. Brown
indicated that such groups would not start meeting until February or March of 2017, but that the
type of groups are dependent on the development of the vision and to-be-determined important
issues. Dr. Brown indicated that the groups would likely be established in December or January,
noting that there would likely be groups on public health and Town government. Dr. Brown
discussed the function of the working groups.
Mrs. Gibson asked whether the Unified Plan is intended to be the only plan, versus a collection
of information that would eventually inform separate comprehensive and strategic plans, noting
State requirements for comprehensive (master) plans. Further, Mrs. Gibson asked how financial
information and constraints would be built in to the Unified Plan. Finally, Mrs. Gibson asked
about the scheduling of the focus groups and any preparation that the participants may need
beforehand.
Dr. Brown responded, explaining the intent of the Unified Plan to be a combined plan, to include
everything required under the Massachusetts General Laws. Dr. Brown explained that
communities are not precluded from including more information and elements than what is
specified in the Massachusetts General Laws. Dr. Brown explained the intent with respect to
strategic planning and developing goals and expectations for Town government, including the
financial aspects of Town government. Dr. Brown explained that the Unified Plan will establish
Town-wide strategic planning, which will create a framework for other Town departments and
boards to create their own plans. Lastly, with respect to the focus groups, Dr. Brown explained
that they are an opportunity for the board representatives to the Steering Committee to discuss
their roles and objectives, representing their personal opinions, but also those of the boards. Dr.
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Minutes of the October 6, 2016 Unified Plan Steering Committee Meeting
Brown indicated that there is not a need for significant preparation for these meetings.
Additionally, Dr. Brown indicated that a short survey would be sent to the Steering Committee
members in the following week.
Mrs. Gross asked about the December 10 visioning forum and whether there would be other
opportunities for the public to participate in visioning. Dr. Brown explained scheduling
constraints, but also noted that four additional meetings would be held in January. Dr. Brown
discussed the format for the January meetings and other participation opportunities. Mrs. Gross
followed up by asking the consultant team to send out any meeting dates well in advance.
Mr. Musikavanhu asked a follow up question about Massachusetts General Laws requirements
and the flexibility to explore other issues. Dr. Brown indicated that the State statute is not overly
constraining, and also discussed the ability to react to other issues that arise during the process.
Small Group Discussions
Hearing no additional questions, Dr. Brown explained the small group exercise, asking group
members to identify their top five issues and priorities, then discuss these amongst the group and
categorize them, and then have the group agree on the top five issues and priorities. Once
completed, Dr. Brown indicated that the groups would report back to the full Committee.
Groups Report Results to the Whole
Please find attached the Steering Committee October 6th Meeting Activity Summary providing an
overview of the results of the exercise the reporting of the groups.
Dr. Brown thanked the Committee members for their participation in the exercise.
Next Steps
Dr. Brown discussed next steps, including upcoming interviews and focus groups. Dr. Brown
indicated that the next Steering Committee meeting would be on December 7, and that this
meeting would include a discussion of the needs assessment, and planning for the upcoming
public forum. Dr. Brown generally discussed the plan for the public forum and options for
engagement at the forum.
Mr. Zehner suggested that Committee members reach out to staff or members of the Project
Management Group with any questions or concerns. Mr. Zehner indicated that the consultant
team would be in contact with Committee members about interviews, and discussed future
communication to the Committee. Mr. Zehner encouraged board members to discuss the Plan
with their fellow board members and staff, and that all members should discuss the Plan with
their contacts and networks. Mr. Zehner discussed the importance of the Unified Plan. Mr.
Zehner asked if there were any questions.
Mr. Wendrow asked when the meeting would be broadcast on Wellesley Media. James Joyce
indicated that the meeting would be available on-demand from the Wellesley Media website. Mr.
Zehner also noted that the Planning Department’s Facebook page would have information on the
Plan, and that a new website, www.wellesleyunifiedplan.com, would be available shortly.
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Minutes of the October 6, 2016 Unified Plan Steering Committee Meeting
Public Comments
Mr. Zehner asked for any public comments. Hearing none, Mr. Zehner thanked the members for
attending and closed the meeting at approximately 9:00pm.
Minutes Prepared by: Michael Zehner
Minutes Approved: February 8, 2017
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Steering Committee October 6th Meeting Activity Summary
Page 1
Steering Committee October 6th Meeting
Activity Summary
October 6, 2016
The Wellesley Unified Plan Steering Committee held its first full meeting of all members, including
At-Large representatives, on October 6th. At that meeting, the consultant team led an activity
for the appointed members of the Steering Committee. Members formed small groups and
discussed what they considered to be the top issues facing Wellesley today. These issues were
recorded on sticky-notes and sheets of paper. Each group narrowed their list to five major issues
and presented their choices to the entire Committee.
Below is an example of one table’s exercise results:
www.wellesleyunififedplan.com
Steering Committee October 6th Meeting Activity Summary
Page 2
The issues raised by members of the Steering Committee ranged across many categories, but
there was consensus around several major issue-types. In each table’s lists, some of the most
commonly raised issues included:
•
•
•
•
•
Housing – either the expansion of housing options and affordability or the preservation of
homes and neighborhood character;
Celebrating open space and natural resources and expanding recreation opportunities;
Maintaining or expanding diversity of and engagement in Wellesley’s community;
Reducing traffic and increasing opportunities for alternative modes of transportation; and
Increasing efficiency of town government.
The number of issues recorded on each sticky note collected were counted and categorized
into the general topics shown below. While not a scientific approach, this exercise gives a
general impression of the issues that the Steering Committee prioritized:
Many comments about housing were concerned with access to affordable housing (especially
for seniors who may be downsizing), for example: “Affordability and sustainability of remaining in
Wellesley after retirement” and “Senior housing- retain seniors and residents who wish to
downsize.” Many comments called for increased diversity in different ways including
demographic diversity, business diversity and diversity of housing types and character.
www.wellesleyunififedplan.com
Steering Committee October 6th Meeting Activity Summary
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A “Wordle” word cloud of the words recorded from the exercise demonstrates some of the most
common themes:
After “town” and “community” and “Wellesley,” some of the most commonly used words were:
• “Space”
• “Housing”
• “Resources”
• “Maintain”
• “Traffic” and “transportation”
• “Health”
Overall, this exercise demonstrated the breadth of issues that Steering Committee members
consider priorities for Wellesley and establishes a starting point for discussion around the topics
that will be addressed in the Unified Plan.
www.wellesleyunififedplan.com