Sustainable Communities Initiative
We, the undersigned, urge the Windham Board of Selectmen to accept the
invitation to participate in the Sustainable Communities Initiative’s regional
planning process and sign the partnership agreement with the Regional Planning
Commission. A collaborative grassroots effort to integrate local interests,
priorities and perspectives into regional plans and ultimately into a
state-wide strategy will greatly enhance our rural oasis by integrating
sustainable development goals and principles in our priorities for future
development.
A majority of the towns recognize the
benefits of being a part of this initiative and have signed on to be a
contributing part of it. This is a collaborative relationship and does not take
away from local control. HOWEVER, not being involved might put Windham at the
risk of losing some control as our silence precludes our input and feedback
while our neighboring towns make plans that affect our shared resources,
opportunities, traffic and quality of life. It is in the best interest of
Windham to ‘take a seat at the table’ from the very beginning, put forth our
priorities and cooperate with our neighbors as they develop their individual
plans and the regional plan for a sustainable future.
We can grow wisely by working with our neighboring communities and developments
that closely mirror the scale and character of our rural town.