INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM

TO:

STEVE VISIONARY

FROM:

TROY DURR ASSISTANT PLANNER

SUBJECT:

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION STRATEGY FOR MASTER PLAN

DATE:
PLANNING BOARD, CARVER DEP, CONSERVATION BOARD

CC:

As the Town of Carver begins to receive more pressure to expand

economically and residentially we believe it is essential to make a new
Master Plan. As the Town population continues to grow in size with
the increase of residents moving out of Boston, it is important to
address the effects it may have on the culture of the Town. The
following memorandum will outline a plan that shall help with the
increased growth pressure, maintaining our rural culture, supporting
agriculture, and protecting out natural resources.

Background Information
Due to increasing population of the town relative to new accessibility
to Boston as well as a fluctuating cranberry industry the integrity of
Carver is at risk. This includes, but is not limited to:

Over Development

Conservation of Rural Character

Protection of Natural Resources

Continued Support of Agriculture

Stakeholders in This Plan

In order to get a full understanding of the issue at hand to help create

an exceptional Master Plan we will need to make sure we try to get
the input of everyone that may be effected. This includes, but is not
limited to:

Cranberry Farmers
Developers/Builders/Construction Workers

Business Owners

Home/Property Owners
Communities

Conservation Groups

Realtors
People In Surrounding

Young Adults (16-25 y/o)

By using a set strategy of public participation methods for each group

we can reach out to each group in a specific way to get their valuable
input.

In order to get the information we need from the public it is very

important to use a wide variety of participation methods. By using
multiple methods we can be more certain that we are getting the
ideas and wants of the effected community and not just a biased
sample. By following a rough outline of public participation strategies
below we should be able to get the necessary information in a timely
fashion.

Outline of Public Participation Methods

Meeting

Participatio
n
Method

Input From

Meeting at

Seniors

Why

Having an input from the seniors

Senior Center

in the Town is very important as

they have seen the Town grow and
know the history
Home owners are one of the most
important inputs to get as they
live here and pay taxes.

Mail Out
Survey

Home Owners

Phone Survey

Home Owners

4*

In Town
Survey

All Age Groups Out

That Day

By talking to people who are out

enjoying the town we can have an
input of what people like.

Online
Survey

Young Adults

By making a survey internet

accessible we can contact people
in the group of 16-25
By mailing to just business we
can get the input needed from
business owners who bring
revenue to the Town.

Specialized
Mailing

Business

Town
Meeting

Everyone Available

Town
Meeting

Everyone Available

By completing a phone survey we

can get the input of those who
may not have the time to fill out a
paper copy.

Having a Town meeting

with Planners, Builders
and other people on the
project will help give
everyone involved a
better understanding of
the plan.**

*An in Town survey may be used if we feel insufficient responses or biased

views was received through our mail and phone surveys. If we deem an in
town survey necessary we will set up a table to get input on what areas of
conservation people would most like to see.
**This town meeting should be open to everyone of the general public and
held in a comfortable setting such as the Library. During this meeting
groups will discuss in what direction they would like the town to move in.

By roughly following the guidelines of the table above I believe we

should be able to get the input, advice, and ideas from all of the
important facets of the Town to help in the Master Plan. By following
my plan I believe we can limit the amount of public disagreement

while making the most possible people happy. For example, by talking
to seniors at the senior center we will be able to learn a great deal of
local knowledge or history that could not be achieved through
research. Also by having the citizens of the town participate we will
promote the basic principle of democracy. As we let the citizens help
us we will gain trust and connections from them while better
educating the general public. By creating a new Master Plan we will
be better prepared to deal with the problems that may occur from an
expanding Town. This in hand will help keep our agricultural
background, protect our natural resources, and maintain our rural
culture as a Town
Potential Strengths/Weakness
Like any Plan, this may come with some problems while trying to gain
the opinion of the Public. One problem with the mail out surveys is
that it can be costly. If not enough people respond to the surveys it
can make that portion of the Plan very cost-inefficient. I believe that
the rest of the methods would be relatively effective at getting input
from all of the different age groups of people in the area. Having an
online option should be a great way to help get young adults involved
with the preservation of their town, while a face to face meeting at the
senior center can provide us with a great view of how Carver has
changed through the years. Finally, by wrapping up all of our public
participation methods with a few town meetings I believe everyone
will be able to get a better feel for what we are trying to achieve. This
will be a great time to show everyone plans that can make it potential
plans that could help benefit the future of Carver.