Published in the February 5, 2016 edition
MELROSE — The public is invited to participate in a public forum hosted by the Master Plan Advisory Committee on Melrose’s Master Plan to be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016 at the Milano Senior Center.
The public forum is an opportunity for residents to provide input and guidance on the city’s future on a range of topics including land use and zoning, housing, economic development, transportation, energy, open space and recreation, public facilities and services and historic and cultural resources.
The 2016 Master Plan, referred to as Melrose Forward: A Community Vision and Master Plan, will be developed over the course of this year. After its completion, the plan will serve as a policy document guiding decisions on growth and preservation in the city for the next 10 years.
The city last created a comprehensive Master Plan in 2004. The 2004 Master Plan, which is available to review on the city’s website, has been widely referenced by city officials and has been pivotal in shaping the city’s progress over the past decade. To remain vital, it will be updated with current demographics and trends and new goals that represent the priorities of today’s residents will be added.
“The Master Plan update is a process that will help determine our collective policy direction on a wide variety of issues for years to come,” notes Mayor Dolan. “This public forum will begin the process of setting goals for what we value as a community and establishing a long term vision for the city. Public input is the cornerstone of any good guiding policy document, so I encourage everyone to participate.”
The Public Forum will be a combination of an open house and a facilitated conversation. The Advisory Committee will be asking for feedback on a draft vision statement as well as on assets, challenges and opportunities for Melrose now and in the future. Melrose residents are encouraged to provide feedback at the forum or anytime during the process.
The Milano Senior Center is located at 201 West Foster St. Parking is available at the Milano Senior Center, the Beebe School and in the municipal parking lot on Berwick Street adjacent to the railroad tracks. The snow date is Feb. 24, beginning at 7 p.m. at City Hall. For additional information, contact Erin Zwirko at 781-979-4193 or at ezwirko@cityofmelrose.org.
