Barre names members to Comprehensive Plan Committee

More people could be added to group looking at land use in town

BARRE – The Town of Barre has named members to a committee to update a comprehensive plan from 2017.

The group will be headed by Town Councilman George McKenna. Other members approved by the Town Board on Wednesday include John Depatie from the Planning Board, Cyndy Van Lieshout, Scott Burnside, town assessor Stephanie Underhill, Larry Gaylard from the Zoning Board of Appeals, Wes Miller of the Planning Board, Kelly Dudley of the ZBA, Kathy Klein and Gary Palmer.

The Town Board said more members could be added. McKenna said he would like to see a more diverse representation with more people from small businesses outside of agriculture and some younger adults. He said the current members include many from the ag community.

McKenna said the current members cover different communities of the town, from barre Center, East barre, West barre and South Barre.

He expects the comp plan will include a survey for residents to weigh in on many issues, including large-scale solar and wind energy projects.

Barre will be working with Barbara Johnston from LaBella Associates on updating the plan, which sets policies and goals for land use. Barre has about 2,000 residents and just under 800 households. There are 34,563 acres in the town and agricultural is just over half of the total.

Town Supervisor Sean Pogue said there will be many opportunities for public to weigh in on the plan in the coming months.

If there are any amendments to the plan, there will be at least one public hearing for the residents to comment on the changes.