Select board approves $23,000 LRPC contract to update Tamworth master plan after funding debate

A planning board representative told the select board on June 30 that the planning board has expanded its scope for the town master plan and wants LRPC (Lakes Region Planning Commission) to compile six umbrella chapters covering land use, economic development, housing, transportation and traffic, recreation and town infrastructure.

“The bottom line is the new contract is $23,000. We have $5,600 appropriated,” the planning board representative said, noting the resulting roughly $17,000 shortfall the boards needed to resolve. The planning board described a summer survey, targeted outreach to local groups and poster-session events to synthesize resident input into recommendations that would guide future capital and spending decisions.

Select board members debated whether to use the town’s contingency or wait until the regular budget cycle next March to appropriate the remainder. One select board member said the town could wait and put the money before voters at town meeting; proponents pushed for starting now so the current planning board could complete outreach and so grant opportunities would not be missed. The planning board representative stressed that LRPC would perform the drafting work and that delaying could risk losing a $2,800 grant for the transportation chapter.

After discussion, a select board member moved to approve the LRPC contract and to fund it by reallocating 50% from four compliance-officer line items and by using the planning board consulting fee; the motion was seconded. The board approved the motion in a 3–1 roll-call vote; Select Board member Roberts voted no.

Board members said the contract must be signed quickly for LRPC to begin work and meet the planning board’s schedule; the planning board expects a compiled draft by the end of the year or in early next year, followed by public review and additional listening sessions before any adoption vote.

The board’s action resolves the immediate funding question so outreach can begin, and members said they will consider specific line transfers or budget adjustments in December if additional funding is needed.