Town of Thompson Plan of Conservation & Development 2021 Adopted 4 March 2021 Town of Thompson Plan of Conservation and Development - 2021 Contents Introduction and Acknowledgments ................................................................................................. 5 1.1 Introduction................................................................................................................. 5 1.2 Acknowledgments .................................................................................................... 6 Town Overview ............................................................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Location ....................................................................................................................... 7 2.2 History ......................................................................................................................... 9 2.3 Demographics .......................................................................................................... 12 Governance ..................................................................................................................................................... 14 3.1 Board of Selectmen .................................................................................................. 14 3.2 Budget and Finance ................................................................................................. 16 3.3 Civic Engagement .................................................................................................... 16 3.4 Suggested Action Steps .......................................................................................... 19 Infrastructure and Public Works ........................................................................................................ 21 4.1 Overview of Infrastructure and Public Works ...................................................... 21 4.2 Road Construction and Maintenance ................................................................... 21 4.3 Public Buildings and Facilities ............................................................................... 24 4.4 Waste Management ............................................................................................... 25 4.5 Sidewalks, Bike Paths and Trails ........................................................................... 27 4.6 Public Parks and Green Space .............................................................................. 28 4.7 Suggested Action Steps ......................................................................................... 32 Safety Services ............................................................................................................................................. 34 5.1 Fire and EMS ............................................................................................................. 34 5.2 Emergency Management ...................................................................................... 36 5.3 Law Enforcement .................................................................................................... 38 5.4 Pandemic Response and Recovery ....................................................................... 41 5.5 Suggested Action Steps ......................................................................................... 42 Local Identity ................................................................................................................................................ 43 6.1 Historic Landmarks and Artifacts ........................................................................ 43 6.2 The Thompson Historical Society – Advocacy.................................................... 47 1 6.3 Villages...................................................................................................................... 48 6.4 Municipal Branding ................................................................................................. 49 6.5 Suggested Action Steps ........................................................................................ 50 Housing ............................................................................................................................................................. 52 7.1 General Overview .................................................................................................... 52 7.2 Affordable Housing ................................................................................................. 53 7.3 Housing Density ...................................................................................................... 55 7.4 Suggested Action Steps ......................................................................................... 57 Economic Development ......................................................................................................................... 59 8.1 Overview ................................................................................................................... 59 8.2 Factors Affecting Economic Development ........................................................ 60 8.3 Economic Development Commission: Roles, Responsibilities & Advocacy ... 61 8.4 Economic Development Initiatives ...................................................................... 62 8.5 Suggested Action Steps ........................................................................................ 65 Transportation .............................................................................................................................................. 67 9.1 Overview ................................................................................................................... 67 9.2 2016 Road Safety Audit .......................................................................................... 67 9.3 Additional Intersections Requiring Attention .................................................... 68 9.4 Complete Streets .................................................................................................... 70 9.5 Suggested Action Steps ........................................................................................ 73 Agriculture ......................................................................................................................................................75 10.1 Overview ................................................................................................................. 75 10.2 Inventory of Agricultural Assets .......................................................................... 77 10.3 A Farm Friendly Community ................................................................................ 78 10.4 Challenges Faced By Farmers in Thompson ...................................................... 81 10.5 Agriculture Commission – Roles, Responsibilities and Advocacy .................. 81 10.6 Suggested Action Steps ....................................................................................... 82 Recreation & Trails ..................................................................................................................................... 84 11.1 Thompson Recreation - Background ................................................................... 84 11.2 Recreational Assets ................................................................................................ 84 11.3 Recreation Commission – Roles, Responsibilities and Advocacy ................... 87 11.4 Recreation Department Challenges .................................................................... 87 2 11.5 Recreation Department Goals .............................................................................. 88 11.6 Suggested Action Steps – Recreation ................................................................. 88 11.7 Thompson Trails - Inventory and Usage ............................................................. 89 11.8 Thompson Trails Committee……………………………………………………………………………………….95 11.9 Challenges for Thompson Trails ....................................................................... 96 11.10 Suggested Action Steps –Trails .......................................................................... 96 Conservation and Open Space ........................................................................................................... 98 12.1 Overview .................................................................................................................. 98 12.2 Inventory of Dedicated Open Space .................................................................. 99 12.3 Commitment to Conservation ........................................................................... 100 12.4 Challenges to Conservation ................................................................................ 101 12.5 Conservation Commission – Roles Responsibilities and Advocacy .............. 103 12.6 Suggested Action Steps ...................................................................................... 103 Water Resources ........................................................................................................................................ 105 13.1 Overview ................................................................................................................. 105 13.2 Dams & Flood Management...............................................................................