Aug 8th Newsletter

Hello!

Over the past year I have sat in as an interested citizen on numerous Planning and Zoning and Board of Selectmen meetings, as well as working sessions to update Deep River’s Affordable Housing Plan and our Plan of Conservation and Development.  I also reviewed Deep River’s Storm Wastewater Annual Report when it was posted on the Town’s website for public review, and submitted several comments and suggestions to the firm drafting the report. No public comment on this report had been received in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 or 2021.

Something I have noticed is that many of these plans and documents are completed as required by the State or other authority, and once submitted, they are rarely looked at again. Their recommendations don’t appear to drive the strategies and activities of the boards and commissions charged with executing them.  The last Plan of Conservation and Development (2017) had numerous excellent suggestions, few of which saw the light of day again, much less made it through execution to a point of completion. 

Why is this?  Is it the process?  The board and commission structure? The changing composition of the volunteer boards?  The personalities, busy calendars and conflicting priorities of the various chair people and Selectmen?

A lack of skill or will?

As First Selectwoman, I plan to put the strategic planning, leadership, and communication skills I learned over a successful business career to work for you. I will integrate the vision, priorities and projects detailed in our various plans, structure program review, and drive accountability for program execution.

Thank you for your continued interest and support of my campaign.

Warm regards,

Katie