Draft #7 12/31/02

TOWN OF IPSWICH -- OUTSTANDING QUALITY OF LIFE

VISION DESCRIPTORS & OBJECTIVES ~~ FIRST YEAR AND MULTI-YEAR GOALS

I. That the Town be Stable and Secure

Next Twelve Months -- New Initiatives/Emphasis:

· With assistance from the Finance Committee, draft financial policies, including statement of appropriate budgetary proportions for debt service, operations & maintenance, capital outlay, and a depreciation or sinking fund; discuss how to achieve objectives of policies, e.g., financing of sidewalk replacements and extensions, GIS data layer development, Septic System Management; develop public information plan to explain written fiscal policies and “sell” these policies to the community

· Develop revenue-neutral, self-supporting plan for collection & disposal of solid wastes not otherwise permitted in mixed refuse waste stream (e.g., white goods, CRTs)

· Secure passage of charter amendment affording greater flexibility in year-end budget management, less likelihood of “unpaid bills”

· Implement GASB 34-compliant fixed assets schedules in financial exhibits

Multi-Year/Ongoing Projects:

· Pursue economically sound, long-range facilities for District Court, fire, police, harbors, and shellfish divisions, and water division maintenance

· Determine the community’s response to the changes in emergency medical response and emergency medical care delivery systems caused by external regulatory and economic forces, and reconfigure the community’s staffing, finance, and/or infrastructure accordingly

· Evaluate feasibility of depreciation funding schedule for fixed assets

II. That the Town be Progressive and Innovative

Next Twelve Months -- New Initiatives/Emphasis:

· Encourage a work environment in which people are not discouraged from introducing new ways of doing business, e.g., the Open Space Bond program, Great Estates Zoning; e.g., encourage progressive land use development policies

· Continue to utilize/expand multi-jurisdictional approaches to regional problems, with particular emphasis on emergency medical response; vandalism; hazardous wastes and recyclicables; as well as continued efforts in dealing with domestic violence; drug investigation; and fire services;

· Expand school curriculum, in addition to preventative programs in fire safety, drug prevention, bicycle, bus & pedestrian safety, and recycling, to provide units on conflict resolution and character education

· Enhance GIS analysis & police community response

· Train police personnel to appropriate levels of incident command system

· Enhance the timeliness of information on Town’s web pages

· Investigate feasibility of land-based wind power as well as other renewable energy sources for development by the Electric Division

· Explore feasibility of cost-sharing & partnering Town and School plant maintenance and physical assets, to determine if shared forces and assets could help fulfill our respective missions achieve tasks more cost-efficiently (e.g., paving & pothole repairs, signage installation, other routine tasks)

· Development-regulating local boards to institute regulations requiring developers to include GIS-based electronic files for all proposed developments, for inclusion in Town’s GIS database

Multi-Year/Ongoing Projects:

· Continue development & refinement of GIS database; develop plan for sharing of databases and automation of repetitive functions, e.g., annual license/permit renewals;

· Expand Arc-Explorer platform via WAN for GIS access at the Library, with multiple portals

· Continue to seek outside sources of revenue to implement innovative programs to better serve the needs of the citizens outside the normal service delivery model

· Ongoing “continuous improvement” team training at lower levels of organization; make training funds available for approved teams/projects; encourage philosophy of empowerment within the organization; allow experimentation & modest, reasonable risk-taking

· Continue and encourage public safety responsiveness to the needs of other departments & citizens to resolve issues distinct to neighborhoods & other departments, e.g. elderly & teen outreach

· Evaluate, select and install preventive maintenance software for town and school plant & facilities

· Develop a plan for renewable energy power sources and water conservation plumbing retrofits for all municipal buildings

III. That the Town Be Pleasing and Beautiful

Next Twelve Months -- New Initiatives/Emphasis:

· On a collaborative basis, pay attention to striping & cleaning in parking lots, both public and private

· Form a Beautification Committee composed of Ipswich residents and organizations, to coordinate and work on appearance of the community; develop a "work plan", with Ipswich Business Association & others; assure timely referrals for action and support reasonable, related budget requests; include element for each municipal building, e.g. timely trimming of shrubbery; stress coordinated public/private partnership for improving day-to-day appearance/cleanliness of community (e.g., visible green strips on corridors such as Central Street)

· Complete a town character statement for buildings and landscapes and distribute to developers and town departments

Multi-Year/Ongoing Projects:

· Implement landscaping & greens protection along with traffic circulation & parking improvements in the North Green area

· Reinforce our dedication to improvement of the appearance of our community by conveying a crisp message of neatness and uniformity through such measures as uniform paint scheme for municipal vehicles; ongoing emphasis on ordinary maintenance on and timely replacement of municipal fleet

· Determine if the use of the Town-owned parcel directly across the street from [Old] Town Hall as a passive park/overlook for the Ipswich River is feasible

· Work to cooperatively remove graffiti & other conditions that lead to blighting, as well as to pursue illegal dumping activities and cleanups thereof

· Continue to operate and support the open space bond program

· Promote, via the local Cultural Council, placement of art work (sculpture, etc.) in public places

· Develop action plan to relocate overhead wires to the rear of buildings in the central business block (Central/Market/Depot/Hammett Streets)

IV. That Recreational and Avocational Opportunities Enrich Lives

Next Twelve Months -- New Initiatives/Emphasis:

· Develop public access and stewardship plan for the Wendel property; seek adequate funding source to sustain maintenance needs identified in planning process

· Complete the County Street pocket park (Sydney’s Reservation) as a passive park/river overlook

· Direct the implementation of $717,000 transportation enhancement grant for the Downtown Riverwalk (probable construction commencing in summer of 2003)

· Continue communication between the YMCA and the Town to enhance programs, share revenues & facilities

· Develop and implement a plan for cooperative sharing of use of Town Hall display cases

· Enhance the level of cooperation between the municipal government and the local YMCA on projects of common interest, e.g., development of skateboard park

Multi-Year/Ongoing Projects:

· Emphasize procurement of open space parcels on which active recreation facilities can be developed

· Develop stewardship plan for other key open space holdings, with emphasis on public access and use; rely on Water Supply Protection, Open Space and Recreation Fund to fund intern positions to draft such plans

· Explore collaborative with the School Department for adult education opportunities entailing both classroom and out-of-doors venues

· Continue offering regular multi-age community recreational gatherings

· Encourage and recognize volunteers in town government service

· Develop a Culture & Fine Arts strategy having multiple, mutually reinforcing elements, to enhance Ipswich as a recreation and business destination, e.g., more widespread use of the Performing Arts Center, band concerts, extended library hours, art gallery exhibits, downtown dining promotions, etc.

· Increase library hours on weekends for the enjoyment and benefit of the townspeople

V. That People in Ipswich Feel Safe

Next Twelve Months -- New Initiatives/Emphasis:

· Seek support for and implement a truck traffic management plan for the town

· Update the emergency response plan for water operations and do a vulnerability assessment of our public drinking water supplies

· Re-tool the proposals for public safety staffing, into a multi-year, phased funding plan, undertake extensive public education campaign, and seek community consensus and funding of the first year’s element

· Analyze & respond to quality of life issues such as noise abatement from such diverse sources as barking dogs, motorcycles, and construction equipment

· Begin a campaign emphasizing responsible citizenship and respect for fellow human beings and for compliance with the laws of the land; effect attitude changes to induce responsible behavior rather than introducing new technology to detect violations

Multi-Year/Ongoing Projects:

· Implement recently completed studies of police, fire and ambulance recommendations at levels consistent with Town’s expectations

· Direct patrols in response to citizens' complaints; analyze & respond to quality of life issues, parking, traffic, disorder and abatement of the perception of fear; engage in

· community outreach in the identification of problems & implementation of solutions;

· work to improve neighborhood visibility & response of public safety personnel to emergencies; introduce innovative police patrols in areas not conducive to traditional patrol methods

· Train personnel to meet the challenges of crime, fire & other issues

· Work to ensure that a combination fire department can continue to function efficiently for the town & justly for the groups so employed

· Continue to plan & implement plans for natural threats & disasters and enhance our preparedness for emergency response/terrorist threats

· Explore opportunities to implement traffic calming measures at appropriate locations in Town

VI. That There be Good Communication and Cooperation

Next Twelve Months -- New Initiatives/Emphasis:

· Reformat departmental reports submitted to Board of Selectmen so that they appear less like diaries and more descriptive of progress on major projects, with notations of milestones completed, impediments to progress

· Commence use of new financial management system using PC-based WAN and MUNIS software; increase accessibility by user departments for departmental reports, budget management, and electronic approval of requisitions

· Evaluate costs & benefits of improving communications between key employees and between field & office, using Nextel phones and/or cell phones

· Re-write recycling flier and solid waste transfer station instruction sheet; place this updated information also on web site

· Initiate semi-annual meetings of all members of development-regulating citizen boards and their agents

· Automate some part of town business via the internet; make it simple and make it happen – at least one item each year—e.g., beach sticker renewals, burning permits

· Work with Fine Arts Director to have high school students (community service project or otherwise) air more than just the Selectmen and School Committee meetings on cable TV.

Multi-Year/Ongoing Projects:

· Install public access PC in main lobby of Town Hall, with “Town of Ipswich website” as home page

· Encourage expansion of municipal WAN using fiber-optic I-Net to include all schools; evaluate feasibility of introducing wireless WAN technology

· Explore electronic & printed media options for ease of transmission & retrieval of data, e.g., public access to forms, regulations, bylaws, charter, misc. licensing requirements, and databases, e.g., budget information, real property, and GIS

· Communicate and implement more effectively the Vision of the Town and the value and contributions of its employees

· Provide periodic updates on major projects using the Town’s web site. Continue staff newsletter, web-based suggestion box (multi-dept quality team effort), Utilities Department newsletter, and install a wall-based suggestion box in Town Hall

· Using GIS and desktop publishing, prepare a brochure describing open space holdings, conservation lands, parks, beaches, forest trails, and regulations for their use

VII. That the Quality of Government Services Be Excellent

Next Twelve Months -- New Initiatives/Emphasis:

· Complete the conversion of Code Enforcement office files to coincide w/new 911 emergency response system

· Issue all municipal personnel appropriate identification cards

· Review in-house versus contract maintenance for municipal and school fleet

· Review hazardous and non-hazardous waste produced by both Town and School facilities and develop a plan to reduce, reuse and recycle material reducing the waste stream to a level that has been established by the state

· Secure restoration in FY04 of Tier One budget cuts that have limited staff’s opportunities for sustaining professional development

Multi-Year/Ongoing Projects:

· Explore feasibility of e-government software applications for permit applications and status tracking

· Develop plan for database sharing, public web access, and electronic automation of repetitive functions currently performed on separate, uncoordinated and/or unshared databases, either electronically or manually; utilize information technology plan as a resource

· Train both field and office workers in CPR, First Responder, Defibrillation, and in identifying “suspicious behavior” partnering with public safety services in emergency response and crime prevention

· Stress customer service orientation at all levels in organization & extend training

· therein; encourage "culture change" in organization, stressing continuous improvement

· Practice the philosophy of "praise in public", "criticize in private"

· Continue longevity awards program, appreciation dinner

· Assure departments are adequately staffed to carry out assigned tasks

· In furtherance of improving employee morale, sustain efforts working internally on issues of employee professionalism

VIII. That Citizenry Be Motivated and Participative

Next Twelve Months -- New Initiatives/Emphasis:

· Work with School staff to plan and implement more community programming on CATV PEG channels, use of local studio (FinCom, Planning Board, ConsComm, or otherwise)

Multi-Year/Ongoing Projects:

· Encourage expanded volunteerism, & review outreach efforts to accomplish same

IX. That We Care for the Environment

Next Twelve Months -- New Initiatives/Emphasis:

· Complete the identification of lands in the Bull Brook/Dow Reservoir watersheds for protection, develop Source Water Protection Plan, and secure funding as necessary to implement same

· Draft a stormwater management plan for maintenance of in situ treatment of stormwater, detention ponds, and identify a financing mechanism to help assure timely execution thereof; comply with Phase II Stormwater Management guidelines on a timely basis

· Strive for increased curbside recycling participation and expand materials to be accepted in recycling program

· Prepare guidance memo suggesting amendments to Planning Board’s Special Permit Regulations and its Site Plan Review Regulations, amendments to the Zoning Board of Appeals’ Regulations, and amendments to the Conservation Commission’s Regulations, all with respect to stormwater runoff standards

· Develop a town-wide Septic System Management Plan and identify funding sources to assure it becomes possible to implement; prioritize environmentally sensitive areas for initial inspectional activity, e.g., ACEC, wetlands, areas in town subject to Source Water Assessment Plan (SWAP) protection requirements

· Implement drainage improvements on North Main Street to minimize pollution of the Ipswich River

· Install signage and manage town-owned vacant properties in keeping with newly-adopted uniform regulations

· Coordinate beaver dam management to help assure protection of town roads and culverts as well as assist private owners in protecting their property

Multi-Year/Ongoing Projects:

· Develop Forestry Management Plan per DEM regulations

· Draft policies with respect to preserving open space and watershed protection & stewardship of current holdings; continue to identify funding sources for acquisitions & stewardship

· Continue DPS cooperative effort w/state & federal agencies to identify & plan resolution of issues that detrimentally impact the environment (e.g., via barn inspections, harbor rules, water quality studies); provide education of responsible pet ownership & consequence for transgressions

· Ensure proper response to hazardous material spills & storage

· Ensure our waterways are safe & properly used

· Ensure that the shellfishery resources are properly regulated & maintained

· Create a corridor overlay protection district to preserve Town's rural character & protect open space

· Determine appropriate development and use plan for greater utilization of Boone Park, and implement same

X. That a Diversity of Neighborhoods and People is Maintained

Next Twelve Months -- New Initiatives/Emphasis:

· Manage the 40B process to help mitigate adverse impacts on infrastructure and operating costs while at the same time enhancing affordable housing opportunities

· Manage the new inclusionary housing bylaw, using the recently re-activated Ipswich Housing Partnership for oversight

· Support the efforts of the North Shore Housing Trust for reuse of Green Street Annex as affordable elderly housing, and transfer the Memorial Building to Oak Hill for redevelopment as elderly housing

· Continue a training program in which volunteers engage in one-on-one instruction of residents who wish to improve their English language skills; and implement an ESL program if sufficient funding materializes

Multi-Year/Ongoing Projects:

· Continue to engage the Board of Selectmen and other citizen committees in periodic a discussion of the various options which might be pursued, e.g., zoning changes, to assure a diversity of neighborhoods; use creativity to develop programs to help assure Ipswich remains affordable to its senior citizens, many of whom are on fixed incomes, whether it be expanded tax exemptions, reverse mortgages, loans for home repairs, etc.

· Support initiatives enabling senior citizens to remain in their homes rather than being “taxed out of them”

XI. That Our Youth Are Well-Prepared for Citizenship

Next Twelve Months -- New Initiatives/Emphasis:

· Develop use of new Young Adult Area (Homework Center) at library through expanded holdings of YA materials, closer contact with schools and scheduled programs for young adults.

· Continue efforts in promoting among Ipswich youth the concepts of self-respect and respect for others

Multi-Year/Ongoing Projects:

· Continue adult mentoring program for at-risk youth

· Continue to work toward responsible conduct & an understanding of the necessary consequences of poor decision-making on the part of youth, by properly implementing police response & cooperative programs such as Juvenile & Youth Diversion

· Provide whatever support is necessary to ensure the success of programs implemented by others

· Continue to support the police-school community collaborative in the areas of emotional intelligence/meaningful after-school programs, and strong partnerships between youths and adults to diminish negative behaviors; stress reinforcing role of recreation department in this activity

· Encourage involvement & interaction of municipal employees in school and student projects, e.g., community service curriculum component, website maintenance, videography

· Provide training & programs to reduce violence, diminish drug use & resolve conflict

· Continue positive interaction between police and youth at activities sponsored by the Recreation Department and Police, such as Zone café programs.

XII. That the Town Have a Strong Local Economy

Next Twelve Months -- New Initiatives/Emphasis:

· Explore ways our local government can help make Ipswich more "tourist-friendly", either as a “destination community” or as a “pass through” community, e.g., by providing interpretative signage at places of historic interest and pointers to shopping, dining, galleries, etc.

· Work with owners of Hammatt Street parking lot to redesign, better manage, and increase parking availability

· Manage the development phase for Turner Hill and New England Biolabs to ensure a timely completion and enhancement of property tax revenue stream

· Whenever the planning commences for a major land development project (e.g., Turner Hill, New England Biolabs) convene all citizen boards, identify data needs and coordinate collection thereof, fostering improved understanding of the differing perspectives of the various agencies having jurisdiction

Multi-Year/Ongoing Projects: