The town’s Comprehensive Plan, was formulated from the thoughts, ideas and values of the residents; The Plan describes where they live, historical roots, the topography, architecture, occupations, government, social life and a vision for its continued growth . The plan is key in the work of the Town Board and established committees.
The governing body of the town seeks to insure that the health, welfare and safety of its citizens is faithfully carried out, according to that plan, in a way that balances the good of the whole community with the rights of the individual.
Laws required, based on circumstances of changing times, are enacted in keeping with the Comprehensive Plan; Example, The introduction of cell towers, or of solar heating, require that the service they bring does not change in a major way the scenic views, maintenance of undeveloped open land and natural beauty of this small rural town.
The Planning Board, for instance, does their work on sub-divisions , cognizant of environmental impacts and the established goals of the Comprehensive Plan.
The Comprehensive Plan requires that it be reviewed and updated periodically so as to adapt to growth in a balanced way. That need was met by the town government in establishing a Comprehensive Plan Committee. The committee oversees the implementation of the Comprehensive plan, coordinates the work of various other established committees , seeks to elicit comments and recommendations from the public, engages in research , recommends policies, local laws, which are in keeping with the present plan.
In the recent past the Comprehensive Plan Committee reviewed the proposed sign law for its value in communicating the desired message and fitting the towns image; assisted the Town Board in assembling data on the speed limit in the Spencertown hamlet in response to a citizens call for lower speed. At present we are assessing hamlet parking needs in response to calls from residents for improvement .