Municipal Matters
The Selectmen may seek Town Meeting voter approval to establish a Housing Commission in New London as allowed by RSA 674:44-h.
The purpose of a housing commission is “for the proper recognition, promotion, enhancement, encouragement, and development of a balanced and diverse supply of housing to meet the economic, social, and physical needs of the municipality and its residents, viewed in the context of the region within which the municipality is situated.”
This action comes as the result of Master Plan survey results that identified housing as an important topic for the town to consider, Citizen Advisory Committee interest and state-wide discussions on the need for affordable housing.
If approved, the Selectmen will appoint New London residents who have an interest in housing as well as expertise that will assist the commission in its work.
In its first meeting of 2020, the Citizens’ Advisory Committee addressed two topics: Workforce Housing and Master Plan Survey results.
The group reflected on the November CAC meeting when the Twin Pine Housing Authority gave a presentation on Workforce Housing.
This presentation was very favorably received and attendees learned of workforce housing initiatives in surrounding towns, such as Hanover.
The CAC reviewed a description of a “Housing Commission “ and accompanying RSA’s. (see the article above for more). Mr. Paul Gorman, Chair of the Planning Board, gave a very informative presentation on the role of the Planning Board, the extent of its authority, and the process of creating a Master Plan.
He dispelled several misconceptions about the authority of the Planning Board. For example, some of the CAC were surprised to learn that the Planning Board has no power over single family or two-family dwellings, other than that such residences are situated on the minimum acreage.
Additionally, the Planning Board does not have an architectural review component for commercial or residential buildings, so they do not have oversight in this Notes from the Citizen’s Advisory Committee area.
Mr. Gorman listed the top six areas of concern derived from the survey; these will be presented in a report at the town meeting. Some of the areas addressed in the Master Plan Survey are not under the purview of the Planning Board. These will go to the Board of Selectmen who will give the issues to the appropriate town agencies and/or volunteer groups to address.
Several members of the CAC urged that action be taken on these top issues, and not just be written into the Master Plan document.
— Maureen Prohl & Thelma Kaplan, Co-Chairs
The Selectmen may seek Town Meeting voter
approval to establish a Housing Commission in
New London as allowed by RSA 674:44-h.
The purpose of a housing commission is “for the proper recognition,
promotion, enhancement, encouragement, and
development of a balanced and diverse supply of housing
to meet the economic, social, and physical needs of the
municipality and its residents, viewed in the context of
the region within which the municipality is situated.”
This action comes as the result of Master Plan survey
results that identified housing as an important topic for
the town to consider, Citizen Advisory Committee
interest and state-wide discussions on the need for
affordable housing.
If approved, the Selectmen will appoint New London
residents who have an interest in housing as well as
expertise that will assist the commission in its work.
In its first meeting of 2020, the Citizens’ Advisory
Committee addressed two topics: Workforce Housing
and Master Plan Survey results.
The group reflected on the November CAC meeting when the Twin Pine Housing
Authority gave a presentation on Workforce Housing.
This presentation was very favorably received and
attendees learned of workforce housing initiatives in
surrounding towns, such as Hanover.
The CAC reviewed a description of a “Housing Commission “ and
accompanying RSA’s. (see the article above for more).
Mr. Paul Gorman, Chair of the Planning Board, gave a
very informative presentation on the role of the Planning
Board, the extent of its authority, and the process of
creating a Master Plan.
He dispelled several misconceptions about the authority of the Planning
Board. For example, some of the CAC were surprised to
learn that the Planning Board has no power over single
family or two-family dwellings, other than that such
residences are situated on the minimum acreage.
Additionally, the Planning Board does not have an
architectural review component for commercial or
residential buildings, so they do not have oversight in this
Notes from the Citizen’s Advisory Committee
area.
Mr. Gorman listed the top six areas of concern
derived from the survey; these will be presented in a
report at the town meeting. Some of the areas addressed
in the Master Plan Survey are not under the purview of
the Planning Board. These will go to the Board of
Selectmen who will give the issues to the appropriate
town agencies and/or volunteer groups to address.
Several members of the CAC urged that action be taken
on these top issues, and not just be written into the
Master Plan document.
— Maureen Prohl & Thelma Kaplan, Co-Chairs
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.