The three regional planning agencies serving southeastern Massachusetts (SRPEDD, OCPC and MAPC), in affiliation with institutions of the state higher education system such as Bridgewater State College and UMass and other public and non-profit organizations in the region, will establish the Center for Southeastern Massachusetts to improve growth management in the region.
OBJECTIVES: Provide a central source for municipalities, corporations, non-government organizations and citizens of southeastern Massachusetts to collectively implement the principles of regional cooperation agreed to in the New Mayflower Compact ratified on October 25, 2000 and the growth management recommendations of the Vision 2020 Task Force as outlined in the 1999 Agenda for the Future.
1. Provide outreach, education and training to public officials and citizens of southeastern Massachusetts. Participate with ongoing efforts including the Community Preservation Institute at U Mass Dartmouth and the Citizens Planner and Training Collaborative (CPTC). Investigate other models for training (such as the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions, the I-495 Institute for Local Officials and the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture "Agricultural Business Training Program.") and augment with training responsive to specific local needs. Organize and sponsor workshops and an annual southeastern Massachusetts Growth Management Conference. 2. Develop and maintain the Vision 2020 web site (www.semassachusetts.org ) with information and links useful to local decision makers and citizens. The website will feature: Bylaw library; Forum for discussion of regional issues and posting of new ideas; Information and data about the region; and Resource directory (national and local) of valuable organizations, contacts and links.
1. Provide outreach, education and training to public officials and citizens of southeastern Massachusetts.
Participate with ongoing efforts including the Community Preservation Institute at U Mass Dartmouth and the Citizens Planner and Training Collaborative (CPTC). Investigate other models for training (such as the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions, the I-495 Institute for Local Officials and the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture "Agricultural Business Training Program.") and augment with training responsive to specific local needs. Organize and sponsor workshops and an annual southeastern Massachusetts Growth Management Conference.
Participate with ongoing efforts including the Community Preservation Institute at U Mass Dartmouth and the Citizens Planner and Training Collaborative (CPTC). Investigate other models for training (such as the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions, the I-495 Institute for Local Officials and the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture "Agricultural Business Training Program.") and augment with training responsive to specific local needs.
Organize and sponsor workshops and an annual southeastern Massachusetts Growth Management Conference.
2. Develop and maintain the Vision 2020 web site (www.semassachusetts.org ) with information and links useful to local decision makers and citizens. The website will feature:
Bylaw library; Forum for discussion of regional issues and posting of new ideas; Information and data about the region; and Resource directory (national and local) of valuable organizations, contacts and links.
3. Prepare a regional policy plan, coordinated through the three RPAs, that establishes action strategies in the areas of Open Space and Natural Resources, Economic Development and Urban Reinvestment, Land Use and Housing, and Infrastructure.
The planning process should bring together federal, state and local government, non-government agencies, corporate citizens, civic groups and residents. The final plan should reflect action steps that coordinate all levels of government and draw from the expertise of non-government organizations. (e.g. The Natural Resources Atlas completed by the Manomet Center and the EOEA Biomap can serve as resources for the Open Space and Natural Resources.) 4. Provide technical assistance through the regional planning agencies on the implementation of growth management concepts. As appropriate, utilize RPA staff or contract with experts to provide local communities support with such items as: bylaw drafting, visioning, and structuring land purchases. 5. Conduct research on issues relevant to growth in southeastern Massachusetts. Utilize academic institutions for research on such issues as: alternatives to real estate tax funding of education; developing eco-tourism in the region; and restructuring the cranberry industry. Use faculty led/student manned initiatives for polling citizens on growth related issues and field work. 6. Advocate for effective growth management and regional cooperation. Build coalitions with other organizations working to reform state laws that are at odds with good growth management, such as zoning vesting provisions and Approval Not required (ANR) plans. Provide facilitation and meditation at the sub-regional level to support negotiated solutions.
The planning process should bring together federal, state and local government, non-government agencies, corporate citizens, civic groups and residents. The final plan should reflect action steps that coordinate all levels of government and draw from the expertise of non-government organizations. (e.g. The Natural Resources Atlas completed by the Manomet Center and the EOEA Biomap can serve as resources for the Open Space and Natural Resources.)
The planning process should bring together federal, state and local government, non-government agencies, corporate citizens, civic groups and residents.
The final plan should reflect action steps that coordinate all levels of government and draw from the expertise of non-government organizations. (e.g. The Natural Resources Atlas completed by the Manomet Center and the EOEA Biomap can serve as resources for the Open Space and Natural Resources.)
4. Provide technical assistance through the regional planning agencies on the implementation of growth management concepts.
As appropriate, utilize RPA staff or contract with experts to provide local communities support with such items as: bylaw drafting, visioning, and structuring land purchases.
5. Conduct research on issues relevant to growth in southeastern Massachusetts.
Utilize academic institutions for research on such issues as: alternatives to real estate tax funding of education; developing eco-tourism in the region; and restructuring the cranberry industry. Use faculty led/student manned initiatives for polling citizens on growth related issues and field work.
6. Advocate for effective growth management and regional cooperation.
Build coalitions with other organizations working to reform state laws that are at odds with good growth management, such as zoning vesting provisions and Approval Not required (ANR) plans. Provide facilitation and meditation at the sub-regional level to support negotiated solutions.
Build coalitions with other organizations working to reform state laws that are at odds with good growth management, such as zoning vesting provisions and Approval Not required (ANR) plans.
Provide facilitation and meditation at the sub-regional level to support negotiated solutions.
STRUCTURE AND OPERATION
The Center for Southeastern Massachusetts will have an efficient structure uniquely designed for meeting its mission. With a small staff, the Center will emphasize using the strengths and resources of the various partnering organizations to achieve the mission. The web site, academic research projects, and training initiatives will focus on specific local needs. The professional staff will coordinate existing programs, modify offerings and develop new initiatives as needed.
The three regional planning agencies serving southeastern Massachusetts (SRPEDD, OCPC and MAPC) will organize this partnership utilizing a Joint Powers Agreement. A Board of Directors consisting of representatives from the founding partners will govern the Center. A regional network will be established by creating partnerships with Bridgewater State College, UMass Dartmouth and other public institutions to deliver services utilizing faculty and students at those institutions. Additional partnerships will be sought with other public and non-profit organizations representing various regional interests. One of the founding partners will be given the administrative and coordinating responsibility for the Center, including management of the web site. Memoranda of Understanding (MOU=s) will be negotiated among all the partners to define their specific role and responsibilities in addressing the objectives, utilizing the strengths of each of the partners. The MOU would further define the levels of compensation for the assigned roles and responsibilities.
FUNDING
Both public (federal, state and local) and private funding will be sought for the different elements of the Center. The Center will have both professional and support staff with a maximum of three full-time positions. The offices of the Center will be located at one of the RPAs, minimizing the overhead expenditures. A detailed budget breakdown is attached, indicating the cost for information services, equipment and staffing.
Estimated cost: $500,000 for start up; $250,000 annual operating cost.
WORK PROGRAM
Short Term (Year 1): Create the partnership among MAPC, OCPC, SRPEDD through means of the Joint Powers Agreement; develop memoranda of understanding with other institutions; organize the training programs; identify resources that can be re-directed to growth management issues; launch the web site; develop a region-wide visioning process; develop detailed long term work program. Long Term (Years 2-5): Expand the Center for Southeastern Massachusetts. Undertake other tasks noted above.
Short Term (Year 1): Create the partnership among MAPC, OCPC, SRPEDD through means of the Joint Powers Agreement; develop memoranda of understanding with other institutions; organize the training programs; identify resources that can be re-directed to growth management issues; launch the web site; develop a region-wide visioning process; develop detailed long term work program.
Long Term (Years 2-5): Expand the Center for Southeastern Massachusetts. Undertake other tasks noted above.