Westbrook community survey form

8/7/2019 Westbrook community survey form

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PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT SURVEY FALL, 2010

Westbrooks Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) is its vision for the future as defined by the people who live and workhere. Recognizing that not everyone can attend the public information meetings, we are asking you to use this survey to tell us whatis important to you. Please fill it out and either mail it back or drop it off at Mulvey Municipal Center Land Use Office or the LibraryNO LATER THAN DEC 15 . If youd like to discuss the POCD further, please feel free to contact Town Planner, Meg Parulis, at 860 399-3046 or [email protected] . To read more about the POCD, please check the Town website www.westbrookct.us .

1. Are you a: full time resident seasonal resident business owner non-resident property owner

2. Do you: own your home/business rent your home/business

3. How long have you lived in Westbrook? under 1 year 1-5 yrs 5-15 yrs over 15 yrs not applicableIs this number full-time part-time combination of full-time and part-time

4. How long have you owned a business in Westbrook?less than 1 year 1-5 yrs 5-15 yrs over 15 yrs not applicable

5. Where is your property located in Westbrook? north of I-95 south of I-95

6. What is your age? under 20 years 20 to 34 years 35 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65+

7. What is the highest level of education that you have completed?high school undergraduate graduate post-graduate

8. What is your household income?Under $25,000 $25,000 - $50,000 $51,000 - $75,000 $76,000 or more

9. How important were the following factors in your decision to live in Westbrook?Very Somewhat Not a NoImportant Important Factor Opinion

a. Born and/or raised in the areab. Vacationed herec. Small-town atmosphered. Un-crowded, quiet living conditionse. Outdoor recreation opportunitiesf. Friendly people

g. Located near workh. School systemi. Town services and facilities j. Affordability

10. Below is a list of general goals for the Town. How important are these goals to you?Very Somewhat Not NoImportant Important Important Opinion

a. Preserving/enhancing community characterb. Revitalizing Town Centerc. Managing economic developmentd. Guiding residential development

e. Addressing housing needsf. Providing alternative transportation options(transit, pedestrian, bicycle)

g. Preserving open spaceh. Having adequate utilitiesi. Protecting natural resources j. Providing community facilitiesk. Managing vehicular transportation

(roads, maintenance)l. Protecting and managing coastal areasm. Providing quality education
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.westbrookct.us/http://www.westbrookct.us/http://www.westbrookct.us/http://www.westbrookct.us/mailto:[email protected]


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11. How well do you think Westbrook is doing in addressing these goals?

Excellent Good Fair Poor No Opiniona. Preserving/enhancing community characterb. Revitalizing Town Centerc. Managing economic developmentd. Guiding residential developmente. Addressing housing needsf. Providing alternative transportation (transit/pedestrian/bicycle)g. Preserving open spaceh. Having adequate utilitiesi. Protecting natural resources j. Providing community facilitiesk. Managing vehicular transportation (roads, maintenance)l. Protecting and managing coastal areasm. Providing quality education

Strongly Strongly NoAgree Agree Disagree Disagree Opinion

12. Programs and services for seniors in Westbrook are adequate.

13. Programs and services for youth in Westbrook are adequate.

14. The Town website is adequate/helpful.

15. There should be more commercial development on Route 1.

16. There should be more commercial development at exits 64/65.

17. The Town should take steps to conserve energy includinginvesting in renewable technologies that may have higherinitial costs but result in long term savings.

18. The Town Center has been identified as the heart of the community both in terms of its central location and historic and culturalimportance. As such, there has been much study and public discussion on ways to improve its commercial and social value.

Please rate each of the following recommendations.

a. Expand parkingb. Encourage consistent signagec. Alleviate traffic congestiond. Slow down traffice. Increase pedestrian safety through paving patterns/sidewalksf. Minimize the number of driveways onto major roadsg. Bury above ground utilitiesh. Expand opportunities to live in or near Town Centeri. Explore shared public/private sewage disposal options to

facilitate business expansion/opportunity

j. Create an open market area (Farmers Market)k. Offer financial incentive (e.g. tax deferment, abatement, low-

interest loan or other) to encourage building upgradesl. Preserve distinctive trees / historically significant structuresm. Ensure that new development and re-development has

appropriate architectural style and scalen. Promote businesses and activities that attract boaters/touristso. Create a unified streetscape through installation of street trees,

planters, decorative streetlights, pavers and street furniture(benches, trash receptacles, etc.)

p. Provide bike racksq. Provide a public restroom facility

Very Somewhat Not Bad NoImportant Important Important Idea Opinion


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19. A recent study of housing needs has shown that many people who work in Westbrook cannot afford to live in Westbrook andthat first time home-buyers and seniors on fixed incomes are being priced out of the market. How important are the following?

a. Allow accessory apartments within single family homesb. Permit greater residential density for projects designated as

affordable housing in selected areasc. Require a percentage of all new development to meet

affordability criteriad. Permit conversion of large homes to multi-family residencese. Allow two-family dwellings in all districts if designed to look like

single family homes


20. The Town has been pro-active in acquiring Open Space with a focus on protecting the quality and quantity of surface andgroundwater resources. How would you rate the following additional program goals and objectives?

a. Establish greenways to create contiguous forest lands and linkopen space parcels

b. Develop recreational trails in Open Space parcelsc. Collaborate with regional partners to create a natural heritage

trail linking scenic, cultural and recreational areasd. Create a kayak launch on Patchogue River behind Mulveye. Create a public boat launch on Long Island Soundf. Preserve green breaks along town roads to maintain rural

character and scenic vistasg. Preserve vegetated buffers to wetlands and watercoursesh. Preserve farmland


21. The Town has identified future capital improvements and expenses. Please indicate their importance to you.

a. repair town roadsb. maintain existing facilitiesc. dredge/maintain harbor channeld. acquire Open Spacee. create parking for Town-owned Open Spacef. create downtown parkingg. construct sidewalks along Rte. 1 & Rte. 153 to train stationh. replace jetties at West Beachi. expand the Fire Station (new bay and offices) j. create a dog parkk. build a new community center (to support recreation programs,

civic functions and cultural activities)l. replace fire equipment as it ages


22. The Town has chosen not to pursue a sewer system and sewage treatment plant for areas south of Route 1 and other areas of concern because of the cost ($43.5 million in 1999 dollars or $62 million in 2004 dollars for multiple community systems toserve specific neighborhoods), lack of a disposal site, and concern that sewers would encourage increased development.Instead the Town has embarked on a phased sewer avoidance plan to upgrade and maintain individual septic systems.

a. Septic systems that dont work well contribute to pollution inLong Island Sound.

b. The Town should require property owners to upgrade septicsystems that do not work well.

c. The Town should make sure septic systems are maintained andpumped every 5 years.

d. The Town should support a sewer system south of Route 1.

Strongly Strongly NoAgree Agree Disagree Disagree Opinion


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23. Traffic problems in the following areas should be addressed:

1. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

24. The three things/places I like best about Westbrook are:

1. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

25. The three top issues facing Westbrook are:

1. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

POCD Steering CommitteeMulvey Municipal Center866 Boston Post RoadWestbrook, CT 06498

Documents

Westbrook community survey form