Melissa Whitcomb

This Town Plan for Eden, covering the period 2025-2033, serves as a comprehensive roadmap for the community's future growth and development. It is built upon five guiding principles: respecting and protecting property rights, ensuring fiscally responsible growth, conserving the natural environment, maintaining a safe and healthy living environment, and preserving the town's scenic, rural, small-town atmosphere. The plan addresses critical areas including community profile, historic and natural resources, housing, energy and utilities, economic development, transportation, education, community services, water quality and flood resiliency, information technology, and land use, with the overarching goal of balancing development with environmental protection and enhancing the quality of life for residents.

The meeting addressed community input, including discussion of an email from Kelly Lane regarding her coaching style. The committee discussed the sports committee email, QR codes for sign-ups, team composition, and recruitment ideas. They also covered scheduling, coaches, marketing, outreach, equipment, and ordering needs, including a motion to purchase paint and string for field striping. Action items were assigned for equipment maintenance, sign placement, scheduling, ordering, and coaching confirmations. Finally, the meeting was adjourned.

The Town of Eden's strategic plan focuses on guiding future growth and development while preserving its rural character, natural resources, and historic settlement patterns. Key objectives include respecting property rights, managing growth to avoid undue tax burdens, protecting the environment, maintaining a safe and healthy living environment, and preserving the town's small-town atmosphere. The plan addresses various elements such as land use, transportation, housing, energy, economic development, and community services, aiming to balance economic opportunities with environmental sustainability.

The meeting included discussions with the Lake Eden Association regarding a shoreline restoration workshop involving planting shade trees along the brook at Lake Eden Recreation. The Planning Commission discussed the final chapters of the town plan, with concerns about wording and necessary updates to information. Updates were provided on the beach and highway department, including completed roadside mowing, culvert replacements on Blakeville Road, and under drainage work on Cooper Hill. The board discussed a playground grant application and the Griggs Road grant work. They also reviewed estimates for the foundation of the office addition and vault doors, seeking ways to cut costs. The need to upgrade the main computers to keep up with technology was also addressed.

The meeting addressed concerns about Knowles Flat Road, including surveying the road and replacing a missing property pin. The town plan was sent for public comment, and the planning commission is scheduled to meet in October. Updates were provided on beach preparations, including setting the walk-through and lottery dates, and requiring seasonal residents to vacate by a specific date. Concerns about the animal control ordinance were raised and will be reviewed. A driveway permit was approved for a new house on Knowles Flat Road, pending a final inspection. Grant work for Blakeville engineering is underway, and the selectboard will assess a tree on town property in October. Finally, a letter of interest to rejoin the Eden Youth Sports committee was received.