Colchester's 2019 Town Plan Audio Experience

Here is a snapshot on the presentation of the Malletts Bay Sewer Project. This was presented during our last discussion on the organization of the 2019 Town Plan.

Colchester is a diverse community rich in historic resources and a variety of cultural amenities. The amenities help define the Town’s community and create a sense of place. As we continue to grow, we will face challenges with preserving and enhancing these amenities while incorporating new resources and cultures. Please answer the following questions to help shape our Cultural Resources chapter. Colchester’s 8th Town Plan meeting was held on September 18th.

From the shores of Malletts Bay and Lake Champlain to the adjacent wetlands, fertile uplands, and dry sandplains, Colchester has an abundance and diversity of natural resources rarely found within a single Town. The Town is looking to continue conserving and protecting its natural resources while demonstrating leadership in environmental stewardship. As we move into 2019 and beyond, natural resources will continue to be an important and defining characteristic of our Town.

The 2012 Heritage Project, 2013 Economic Development Action Plan, and 2014 Town Plan set the groundwork for Colchester to expand the diverse local economy. Each explore pathways and goals required to grow the economy and develop a “brand identity,” Colchester’s 6th Town Plan meeting was held on August 21th in the 3rd floor Outer Bay Conference room.

The concepts of energy use and emissions are heating up in Vermont and nationwide. As the state seeks to push into expanded renewable energy territory, Colchester will be expected to follow suit. What should we do to facilitate this process, and how should our residents be expected to deal with these changes?

Education will continue to significantly influence through its contribution to the economy, the shaping of its students, and its impact on the quality of life within our community. In the 2014 Town Plan, we outlined our public school offerings and higher education options, as well as policies to further our goals. As we move into 2019 and beyond, education will continue to be an important and defining characteristic of our town. The future of our education systems could change significantly in the next years. Do you feel our education system requires areas of improvement? Colchester's 4th Town Plan topic session was held on July 24 at 7:00 PM.

The roads in our Town provide us the opportunity to live where we want while having access to work, grocery stores, and other necessities. The 2012 Heritage Project emphasized the importance of reducing congestion, improving roadway safety, and reducing energy consumption. Moving towards the 2019 Town Plan, the Town of Colchester is interested in learning more about our resident's behaviors and attitudes toward transportation in our community. Are our roads and paths working for you? Colchester's 3rd Town Plan topic session was held July 10 at 7:00 PM at the Meeting House.

With over 240 acres of parks and natural areas, Colchester has historically devoted resources to providing recreational opportunities for residents. As we move into 2019, we’d like to know what is working with our parks and what isn’t. Where should our priorities lie in the creation of our updated 2019 town plan? This Town Plan topic session was held on June 19 at 7:00 PM. For more details on the 2019 Town Plan, visit tinyurl.com/2019TownPlan

Housing needs are always changing. Longtime residents are interested in downsizing, adult children would like to return to Town after college, and many businesses are looking for local housing for their workforce at an attainable value. The Town of Colchester has a special interest in housing and believes that a wide array of housing opportunities will be important to maintain the communities vibrancy, competitiveness, and culture for its residents. This Town Plan topic session was held on June 5 at 7:00 PM. For more details on the 2019 Town Plan, visit tinyurl.com/2019TownPlan