Revised Draft – 12/21/04

Based on "Discussion Paper: Public Participation and Review Plan", October 2004.

1. Organize a public kickoff meeting to
1. inform citizens about the planning process
2. inspire citizens to participate in the planning process
3. gather input on issues facing the town
4. gather input on how best to maximize public participation

Currently scheduled for January 18, 2005.

2. Produce educational and informational material to inform and educate citizens about the planning process, including
1. Establish a web page within the town's website for posting information related to Smart Growth planning.
2. Produce material for the Vermont Voice newsletter
3. Develop letters and flyers for direct mail, public posting, or hand distribution
3. Establish methods for ongoing public input throughout the process, including:
1. Schedule time for public comment and questions on comprehensive planning at each Plan Commission meeting.
2. Elected officials and Plan Commission members will make themselves available to answer questions or direct people to resources on comprehensive planning. Telephone numbers are available on the town website at www.townofvermont.com.
3. Solicit input from former Plan Commission members.
4. Seek out those willing to share their specialized expertise and experience both as it might contribute to "process" (such as survey research, mapping and writing) and "issues" (such as agriculture, housing, transportation and recreation).
4. Schedule focus group meetings to identify the most important issues to be explored in a survey of town residents.

To be determined: Number of focus groups and topic areas.

5. Conduct a community demographic and opinion survey to learn about residents' views on comprehensive planning and issues facing the town. The survey should identify the highest priority issues, and the distribution of opinions on preferred approaches to addressing issues.
6. Appoint subcommittees including citizen volunteers and Plan Commission members to work on each of the elements of Smart Growth Planning.

To be determined: Number of subcommittees, one element per subcommittee or multiple?

Note: This is the major part of the work of developing the comprehensive plan.

7. Schedule periodic public presentations of current information and progress on planning.

To be determined: Presentations at regular Plan Commission meetings or at special meetings?

8. Hold public hearings at the Plan Commission level before sending recommendations to the Board, and at the Board level before adopting the plan.