By K.B. Sherman, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – The Master Plan Steering Committee addressed the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen at their regularly scheduled meeting April 8. The master plan had last been completed in 2001 and the town has been involved in updating it, with approximately 30 people involved with the committee. The plan and its financial impact are to be finalized in May and published in the following months.
Selectman James F. Kane asked what “balance growth while maintaining community character” means in the Master Plan. Kristen D. Las, principal planner/economic development coordinator and a member of the Steering Committee, replied that this referred to growing business in an environment where people could enjoy a friendly, relaxed, walk-around type environment. According to Las, the lack of parking in Shrewsbury Center is an impediment to this goal and keeps the town center from being a destination for shoppers. Kane mentioned public transportation as one potential way to alleviate this problem.
Selectman John I. Lebeaux questioned another item on the proposed plan naming another problem as “mental health issues and town schools” inability to deal with these problems.” Why, he asked, is this part of the proposed town master plan and does this relate to the special town meeting article asking for rezoning along Route 9 to permit medical and dental businesses to be established near the old Spag's shopping area? Las replied that there was no particular connection and that mental health issues were noted by the consultant who had helped create the master plan.
The discussion then ended without any action by the board.
