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Date: 5/23/2022
MONSON – A recent survey and focus group that were used to assist in creating a plan in guiding the allocation of future Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds revealed that Monson residents are most interested in protecting open space and outdoor recreation.
The survey was released by the Monson Community Preservation Committee (CPC). Approximately 200 residents completed the survey.
Leslie Duthie, member of the CPC, said the group has been active since 2007. “Over that time, we have focused on ‘low hanging fruit’ that needs addressing,” she said. This includes housing, open space preservation, historic restoration and outdoor recreation, all of which are funded through the CPC’s preservation funds.
Now that the survey is complete, Duthie provided an overview of the results. She explained that protecting open space/land and funding more outdoor recreation projects was a shared vision of majority residents.
She went on to say that people have some specific recommendations for the four program areas. For housing, residents suggested that the town work more closely with the Housing Department to obtain more housing. Some expressed that a focus should be on obtaining housing for disabled and older individuals. A focus group that discussed this topic said there is not a lot of land suitable for these units in town. “Monson doesn’t have a lot of flat land,” said Duthie.
She added, “People felt homes in Monson [are] moderately priced.”
With historic restoration, Duthie said, “Projects seem to be expensive.” She continued, “[The CPC] has spent almost $2 million on historic restoration.” Duthie said the expenses are high because the restoration needs to be done a particular way.
She shared that something people are interested in doing is a project for community use, such as continuing to use Memorial Hall for various events. In the past, Duthie said one of their largest projects included the restoration of Memorial Hall, which they appropriated $1.5 million for. As this building is used for a variety of events in town, Duthie said preservation of this building, among others, is necessary.
Additional historic restoration survey results revealed that residents would like to preserve the historic documents in town.
Regarding outdoor recreation, Duthie said the town came together for a “limited focus group,” to discuss some specific topics. As many enjoy outdoor recreation, some individuals are looking for areas in which this can take place. “[People are] often looking for more sports fields, [but] unfortunately we don’t have additional flat land to put in a big soccer field,” said Duthie.
Other requests for outdoor recreation were to install additional lighting for certain areas, such as the tennis courts on State Street. Duthie said the tennis courts were turned into an ice-skating rink last winter. As the sun sets earlier in the winter, lighting is required for such activities.
One of the downsides with outdoor recreation is that the CPC can’t fund any indoor recreation. For instance, if people wanted more indoor basketball courts, the CPC would not be able to assist with the funding, said Duthie.
The last of the four program areas – open space – revealed that people are in favor of protecting more land, obtaining rural communities and adding more walking or bike trails. “The last two years [especially] have shown how important that is,” said Duthie, regarding outdoor trails.
She added that they recently completed their open space plan and having public land is “crucial.”
Duthie noted that residents also expressed interest in a Greenway, which is a North-South corridor that allows passage of wildlife. This would allow animals to travel from southern to northern Monson safely, she said. “[The] parcels link together for animals to cross.”
With all the data collected from the survey and focus group, Duthie said the CPC will review the plan that the consultant put forward. The consultant, JM Goldson, was hired by the CPC to create the survey and collect the data. Now, they are responsible for developing a plan to move forward.
Duthie said JM Goldson has done CPC plans for other towns and “has a good idea” on what Monson needs. Once the plan is complete, the board will need to accept the plan.
Overall, Duthie said this provides their committee with guidance. “Once we look at the plan, [this will] adapt and guide CPC projects over the next five years.”