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Date: 2/3/2021
SOUTHAMPTON – On Jan. 20, Town Administrator Ed Gibson gave a presentation to the Planning Board on the Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) for the board’s approval.
The Planning Board accepted Gibson’s 219-page draft and will schedule a meeting to look at the plan deeper and develop strategies on what to do next.
Five goals were determined for the town’s open spaces. The draft states that this plan is an update of Southampton’s 2012 Open Space and Recreation Plan and continues a rich history of open space planning in the town.
Goal one is to identify and preserve important parcels for ecological, recreational, cultural, and historical value to create a town-wide green network.
Goal two is to protect Southampton’s remaining agricultural lands, promote local farming, and create opportunities for residents to become involved in local agriculture.
Goal three is protecting the town’s water resources.
Goal four is to promote land-use policies that protect the town’s natural lands and rural community character.
Goal five is to provide adequate recreational facilities to serve a variety of needs for all citizens of the town.
According to the draft plan, the OSRP Update Group, and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), the group distributed a survey to Southampton residents and facilitated a public visioning session on Dec 18, 2019, to determine the community’s goals and priorities around open space planning in town.
The updates working group consists of Gibson, Select Board Chair Maureen Groden and Vice Chair Francine Tishman, Yvonne Battey-Davis and Nancy Ruscio of the Council on Aging; Janet Brown of the Community Preservation Act Committee, Paul Furgal of the Greenway Committee, Brittany Gutermuth of the Conservation Commission, Paula Maak and Mark Reed of the Recreation Committee, Cindy Palmer of the Planning Board and James Walunas of the Water Commission.
While no meeting was scheduled, residents are encouraged to keep checking the town’s website, www.townofsouthampton.org, for upcoming meetings.