Community Forum to be Held April 25
NORFOLK — Town Administrator Justin Casanova-Davis and Town Planner Richard McCarthy, Jr. would like to share information on the development of the Town of Norfolk’s 2035 Master Plan.
The Town of Norfolk began setting the foundation for its Master Plan, which is a roadmap for the town’s future planning and development decisions, late last year. The Master Plan will provide the basis for decision-making in Norfolk for the next 10 years. The last Master Plan for the Town of Norfolk was implemented in 2007.
The planning process allows Norfolk community members to evaluate the town’s strengths, identify issues and challenges, and envision the type of community they wish Norfolk to be in the future.
The final Master Plan will address areas including housing, historical and cultural resources, transportation, public health, economic development and more.
The Town is working with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) on the project, which is guided by a Steering Committee comprised of Norfolk Planning Board members, select board member at-large and residents. The Steering Committee members are: Chad Peck, Chris Montfort, Eric Diamond, John Weddleton, Gary Sullivan, Melissa Meo, Kevin Kalkut, Erin Hunt, Dan Feyock, Joe Burke, Jen Pittore, Charles Iacono and Pat Day.
The role of the Steering Committee is to offer advice and guidance, oversee the project and incorporate community input into the overall Master Plan. The process is strengthened through engagement with Norfolk residents, business owners and other stakeholders. The Steering Committee will be meeting monthly, starting in March 2023,
and is now working toward establishing a community vision through gathering resident
input.
The Master Plan will be completed in two phases. Phase one is projected to be completed this summer, while phase two will be completed in early 2024.
“The 2035 Master Plan is a massive undertaking, and one that hasn’t happened in Norfolk for over 16 years,” Town Administrator Casanova-Davis said. “This is the town’s chance to set a path that can lead to meaningful progress and developments.”
Community Forum:
The town will seek input from community members through a series of upcoming community workshops and surveys.
The first opportunity, a Norfolk Master Plan Visioning Forum, will be held on Tuesday, April 25, at 7 p.m. at the Freeman Kennedy School cafeteria, 70 Boardman St.
Registration is not required.
“Community input is not only valued but an absolute necessity in curating a purposeful Master Plan that will serve the community and its residents,” McCarthy said. “We often hear our residents talk about the change they wish to see in the town and now is the chance to come out and have their voices heard.”
Stay Updated:
The town will continue to share updates on the Master Plan process and opportunities for community members to be involved.
Those interested in learning more or receiving updates on the 2035 Master Plan can subscribe to emails by clicking here.
To learn more about the Norfolk 2035 Master Plan, visit the project website here.
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