The Long Range Planning Committee is preparing for its next public gathering, which will use a round table setup to gather ideas.
Frank Fish of BFJ Planning said it might be easier for people to talk in that setting. "People are much more comfortable talking at a table," he said. "We've found that the discussion is good when you have this type of meeting."
The four members of the committee met Monday afternoon to review last week's public hearing, where more than 180 people gathered to hear and share ideas about the future of downtown. Maintaining the town's New England image and developing a town green were among the residents concerns.
Committee Chairwoman Christine Wagner said the comments would be used to establish topics for the next public input session, scheduled for Jan. 19.
That meeting will be in a round table format with several tables set up for discussions on particular town aspects to examine in a master plan. Concepts that may be in the breakout sessions include transportation, parks and emergency response facilities such as the New Canaan Fire and Police departments. Nothing has been finalized, Wagner said. "We're still developing the scope of work," she said. "Nothing has been left off the table."
Wagner said the committee and its consultants would work on those breakout topics at planning meetings Dec. 17 and Jan. 4. The committee will also talk about the cost of the second phase of the master plan. Fish and other consultants from Perkins Eastman Associates will meet with several town officials to get their thoughts before the Dec. 17 session.
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