SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Open Space and Recreation Committee held a meeting to discuss what their objective will be with the upcoming open space plan that is scheduled to be in place by November of 2019.
The Open Space and Recreation Committee is continuing to look at their plan that’s due in November of 2019. (WNG File Photo)
The committee is looking to keep the majority of the process to be internally. Committee member Russ Fox has noted that a majority of the 2019 plan will look similar to 2011, but some things have changed recreationally in Southwick since 2011. This includes the additions of Whalley Park and a disc golf facility, but losing Southwick Country Club. When the previous plan was formed in 2011, Southwick was not the host of the Motocross Nationals, and that has changed during the ensuing years.
If the committee planned on spending $10,000 or more on creating a new plan they would have to send out at least three RFP’s (Request for Proposals) to organizations to assist them with the process. However, due to the minimal changes that are expected to be made with the new plan, the committee isn’t planning on spending that amount.
“We don’t anticipate spending that kind of money,” said Fox.
For Southwick’s last plan on 2012, they received help from PVPC (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission). The consultant would help gather data and statistics to help the committee create their updated plan. Fox noted that since the committee is looking at spending less than $10,000, they could ask for help from one organization, and PVPC will be in consideration.
The Community Preservation Committee has already agreed to take up to four or five percent out of their administrative account to hire a consultant.
The committee was formed due to the town of Southwick needing to update their Open Space and Recreation Plan as every community in Massachusetts has the option to renew their plan every seven years. Southwick’s latest plan was 2011 and the deadline for them to renew the plan is November of 2019. Having a plan in place allows municipalities the ability to apply for various grants from the state.
According to Open Space and Recreation Committee Chairman Dennis Clark, the next meeting will take place on September 13.
