CPC members plan open‑space awareness campaign as select board reviews advisory committees

At a meeting of the CPC (acronym used in the transcript; full name not specified), Chair Lynn said the select board and the town manager's staff are carrying out a four‑stage review of advisory committees that could constrain what committees may do without staff oversight. "We think you should have an awareness campaign, an awareness initiative about open space and the importance of it," Lynn said, adding that the committee should prepare the content and turn it over to staff to format and distribute.

Lynn outlined the review as four stages: staff liaison conversations with Kim and Matt; a meeting among the select board liaison, committee chair and vice chair with Kim and Matt; a public workshop before a select board meeting to solicit input; and staff recommendations to the select board. She said the motivation is concern about legal liability when committees undertake projects beyond an advisory role.

Members cited the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners' recent water‑restriction policy as an example of the difference between regulatory boards and advisory committees. In that instance, Lynn said, the board established policy and then worked with staff — Amanda, specifically — who assisted in preparing public materials. Lynn and others emphasized that Amanda can "arrange and format" materials but that the committee must supply the substantive content and messaging.

The group noted several scheduling and procedural items that could affect timing: a reminder that chairs' meetings will not take place in July and August and that Fall Town Meeting is Nov. 16, with a mid‑October deadline for warrants. Lynn said whoever leads the committee will meet with Matt and Ken as part of the review process.

Next steps: the committee will scope the proposed awareness campaign (messaging and desired outcomes) and provide those materials to Amanda or other staff for formatting and distribution as the select board review progresses.