Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
02-05-2026 MPIC Minutes
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Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Thursday, February 5, 2026, 7:00 P.M. Zoom Meeting Present at the Meeting: Emilio Mauro, Chair (Finance Committee); Peg Mead, Vice Chair, (Citizen -at -Large); Patricia Boyden (Select Board); Jim Quigley (Planning Board); Alan Rapoport (Economic Development Committee); Mike Nourse (Historical Commission); and Janice McCarthy (Playground and Recreation Commission) Not Present: Bob MacDonald (Conservation Commission); and Sonja Grauds (School Committee) Staff Member: Connor Murphy, Town Planner Guest: Krista Moravec, Consultant, Horsley Witten Group Item #r - Introductions — Chair welcomes attendees and introduced MPIC members. Chair Mauro called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. He welcomed everyone to the Master Plan Implementation Committee (MPIC) meeting, along with Connor Murphy, Town Planner. He explained that the MPIC is meeting via Zoom, airing on CCTV, and he would like to welcome the viewers. Item #2 - Action Plan Update — Review the Final Draft of the updated Master Plan Action Plan Update regarding the ongoing Master Plan Action Plan update process and the progress of the Action Plan Working Group and Horsley Witten Group — Krista Moravec, Horsley Witten Group, and Connor Murphy, Town Planner. Emilio Mauro introduced Krista Moravec, Horsley Witten representative. Ms. Moravec explained she has been working with Mr. Murphy and the Action Plan Working Group for the past g to 4 months on the Final Draft of the Action Plan update and will give a high-level presentation. The Canton Master Plan — Action Plan 5-Year Status project has been a review program of the Action Plan and looking at and assessing the first five (5) years of plan implementation. Ms. Moravec presented the Action Plan 5-Year Status. Purpose: Review of "easy win" items (2-years or less to complete) and short-term items, which can be completed within five (5) years; determine the status of ongoing Action Items; determine the new factors, studies, and conditions that impacted Master Plan implementation in the past or will impact implementation going forward; and update responsible parties and timeframes for the next 5-years. Master Plan Implementation February 5, 2026 Page I of 5 Committee — Minutes
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Process: Each lead responsible department or board received a list of actions assigned to them; their feedback was compiled; and the Master Plan Implementation Committee subcommittee / working group reviewed the information and each Action Item and made updates accordingly. With that part of the process complete, it is now being presented to the full Master Plan Implementation Committee for review, with the updated Action Plan eventually being posted on the Town Website, approved by the Planning Board, and presented to the Select Board. Undated Action Plan: There is now an updated Action Plan, which compiles the 2025 reported status of action items; considers the responsible parties and working group reports and recommendations; has updated action items and the reasons for those changes; and provided the status, and entitled: 2026 Reported Status: The following status designations were assigned to each Action Item: • Action was Completed • Not -completed: Updated action o Change to Lead and/or Support o Timeframe o Text edits • Not completed (no change); and • Non -completed (no longer relevant). Updated action that was provided with a new lead and/or support. • More appropriate for other staff/department based on responsibilities • New municipal positions, including Housing Coordinator; Town Communication Specialist; and Stormwater Department. Action no longer relevant: • Reference to the Hazardous Mitigation Plan which has expired • Hiring a full-time Emergency Management Director (this is the Fire Chief) • Establishing a bike share program, no longer considered an option • Zoning amendments that became irrelevant because of the MBTA Communities Act • Reference to an outdated parking study • Establishing an advisory Housing Committee - the Affordable Housing Trust plays this role • Establishing local historic districts is not endorsed by the Historic Commission. Next Steos: Planning Board review of Action Plan 5-Year Status Update; and Distribution to Leads and Supports for confirmation. Chair Mauro asked if everyone had time to review the draft Action Plan Spreadsheet that was sent to all the committee members. He put the Spreadsheet up on the screen, so everyone can see what the final recommendations of the Working Group were. Master Plan Implementation February 5, 2026 Page 2 of 5 Committee — Minutes
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Public attendee Greg Murphy stated that he will review the documents later and asked if they are available on the website. He referred to the spreadsheet, and it is clear and transparent. What happens next, and once he reviews this, he would like to ask more questions. Connor Murphy explained that the Update Plan is online, He will send the Plan and Spreadsheet to Greg Murphy and upload the Spreadsheet to the website. He will be presenting this draft updated Action Plan to the Planning Board on February 18l", and then to the Select Board, with the Planning Board having final approval of the updates, There are no substantial changes to the Plan, and it does not require a public hearing, just a vote from the Planning Board, It is a luxury for the Town to have these many action items, and it casts a wide net and sets these priorities, When the Master Plan and the goals are referenced, it assists in soliciting Grant funding or other land use initiatives, Chair Mauro explained that the 2020 Canton Master Plan was prepared by Horsley Whitten and is on the Town website. That had been an 18-month process and was approved at the 2017 ATM. This update process shows how many responsible parties are working on these goals and how much we have accomplished. Ms. Mead asked that once the spreadsheet is posted, it should say "pending approval of the Planning Board" because it is still a draft and Mr. Mauro agreed. A motion was made by Ms. Boyden and seconded by Ms. McCarthy to recommend the updated Master Plan to the Planning Board for adoption. Roll Call Taken, Motion Approved (7-0-0), (Yes - Boyden, Mead, McCarthy, Nourse, Quigley, Rapaport, and Mauro). Greg Murphy had concerns about how updated goals are implemented, so that there is no unnecessary overlap between departments. is there more than one responsible party to coordinate with to ensure efficiency. Are we looking at goals that might call for new assets; or renovations; and are the departments looking at cost updates for maintenance capacity to protect our investments. He also suggested having a way to create a mechanism to track our goals, a type of dashboard, and finding ways to make it more of an active process, not a five (5) year process. He also wondered if an annual check -in with each Department or Board on where implementation stands would be an option or if departments could submit yearly reports to the Select Board. Chair Mauro noted that this is why there is a lead responsible party for each Action Item, with supporting parties, to ensure coordination on implementing the recommended action items. Connor Murphy explained that the action items update had no huge overhaul. The departments often work together on the same shared goals, and these Master Plan Action Items are suggestions and non -binding but recommendations. Some items take a few years to complete with reasons such as funding, capacity, and infrastructure. It takes time to do updates and collect data. Action Items can take years to complete and there are well over too action items. He noted that Canton has been more proactive than many towns at prioritizing the importance of the Master Plan. Ms. Moravec explained that Horsley Whitten audited the existing Plan but did not create a new one. She wanted to thank everyone, and she really enjoyed working with everyone. Master Plan Implementation February 5, 2026 Page 3 of 5 Committee — Minutes
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Chair Mauro explained that Master Plan is more of a goal -based study with very little finance related information included in it, It is designed for goals the town has for implementation. The expectation is that implementation will involve further studies or projects to realize the Action Items. One example he used was how the Climate Action Plan builds off some of the goals of the Master Plan and future individual Climate Action Plan related projects will then be developed and explored to determine feasibility and fiscal capacity. The Focus Area of Route 138 was discussed. The Master Plan encourages development on Rt. 138, but the actual groundwork and details for that would be done by responsible parties like the Town Planner and the Economic Development Committee, as examples. Mr. Mauro also wanted to thank Horsley Whitten and Krista Moravec for developing this update, and Connor Murphy for all of his work behind the scenes. Item #3 — Town Planner Updates -Connor Murphy, Town Planner Mr. Murphy explained that he reviewed the Zoning Articles at the last meeting, and they have been submitted and are on the Warrant for Town Meeting. The Community One Stop Growth Grant Portal opened two (2) weeks ago and that is for Economic Development and Community Planning. He is hoping to be active on using that portal and work with department heads and Town officials to find grant opportunities for the Town. Item #4 — Acceptance of Minutes A motion was made by Ms. Mead and seconded by Ms. Boyden to Approve the September 25, 2025, Minutes as presented. Roll Call Taken, Motion Approved (6-o-1) (Yes — Boyden, Mead, Rapaport, Nourse, Quigley, Mauro) (Abstain - McCarthy). Chair Mauro decided to hold off on reviewing the November 20, 2025, Meeting Minutes until the next meeting to allow him time to revise them. Item #5 — Upcoming Meetings The next MPIC meeting will be held on March 19, 20026 @ 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. He will speak with Tom Birmingham and Jen Wexler who would like to present their Specialized Code Town Meeting Article to see if that date would work for them to attend. Adjournment A motion was made by Mr. Nourse and seconded by Ms. McCarthy to adjourn the meeting, Roll Call Taken, Motion Approved (7-0-0). Chair Mauro thanked attendees, Canton Community TV, and the audience who tuned in and watched the meeting. Master Plan Implementation February 5, 2026 Page 4 of 5 Committee — Minutes
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Connor Murphy MPIC — Town Planner Master Plan Implementation February 5, 2026 Page 5 of 5 Committee — Minutes