Planning board member nominated to new Middlesex-Westford Road visioning committee

The Planning Board discussed a newly formed Middlesex and Westford Road visioning committee at the July 16 meeting and considered a nomination to represent the board on that committee.

A select-board-established committee will study future land use, utility planning, design standards and safety along the town's main corridor. A planning board member said the effort could provide useful guidance for long-term zoning and economic development and suggested continuity with prior master-plan work.

Several board members expressed concern that the committee moved forward before being brought to the Planning Board for discussion. The chair and other members said they want to ensure the committee's work connects back to the town master plan and the planning board's prior zoning work.

The board discussed representation and membership: the committee will include representatives from the select board, planning board and zoning board, two residents, two business representatives and regional partners such as NIMCOG. The chair recommended Planning Board member Jeremy as the board's representative and said the board will stay engaged on implementation and receive updates from town staff.

No formal vote transcript appears in the record; the chair said he would recommend Jeremy for appointment and asked staff to keep the board informed of committee progress.

The committee's work will include community visioning sessions, surveys and coordination with regional partners; the planning board asked town staff to share materials and timelines as they become available.