What's Inside:

A recap of our recent workshop, survey feedback, upcoming engagement opportunities including Housing and Economic Development Survey, and an educational skill builder.

Thank you to all who attended the Middleborough Master Plan Land Use, Housing, and Economic Development Workshop!

(Images from Anna Milton, Nemasket Week reporting)

Our workshop at the Hideaway

We spoke with community members in Middleborough about Land Use, Housing, and Economic Development last week with free refreshments from the Hideaway. We heard about your thoughts related to community events in Town, housing needs, sustainable economic development, and more.

Some comments we heard about economic development included strengths like Middleborough Energy and the downtown, and opportunities like agri-tourism and expanding bike networks. Residents also mentioned concerns about cost of living, aging infrastructure, lack of diverse housing options, and not enough local businesses. Additionally, some community members were interested in learning more about land use in Town, which you can access in our int eractive StoryMap.

Each of these topics—land use, housing, and economic development—will be addressed in the Middleborough Master Plan Update.

Read about the event here

Thank you for your responses to the Open Space and Recreation & Natural Cultural Resources survey!

You shared your vision for the future of Middleborough:

As SRPEDD and the Town of Middleborough engage with the community and create an updated Master Plan, we value your continued input. Below are some of the main themes that we heard after reviewing the 97 responses (94% from residents) within our Open Space and Recreation & Natural Cultural Resources survey:

Recreation and Accessibility: Community members want to see more water access, bike paths, hiking or walking trails, and playgrounds, parks, or picnic areas in Town. Residents also would support physical accessibility improvements, such as places to rest and paths navigable by wheelchairs, as well as increasing public transportation to open spaces.

Preserving Open Space: Residents were interested in keeping sites like the Nemasket River, Oliver Mill Park, and Tispaquin pond protected in Town. In general, residents support the protection of farmlands, rivers, wetlands, wooded areas, and parks.

Sense of Community: Survey participants have described popular events in Middleborough, such as the Sip and Stroll, library programs, and True Grit art gallery and Burt Wood School of Performing Arts Theatre shows. In addition, community members expressed an interest in additional events, such as festivals and farmers markets, to be held downtown.

Natural Cultural Resources: Community members have an interest in learning more about indigenous/archaeological sites in Middleborough. Some responses indicate that the Robbins Museum and Tom Thumb Museum are useful resources to learn about these sites.

Resilience and Sustainability: Survey participants support additional sustainability resources in Town, such recycling resources, locally grown produce, pollinator gardens, and more. Additionally, we heard concerns about insect-borne illnesses as well as downed trees on participants’ property.

Below are selected results from the OSRP survey

When asked "What kinds of restoration efforts or improvements do you think the Town could make to natural areas in Middleborough?" respondents indicated that Clearing overgrown vegetation from rivers and streams and Maintaining existing hiking trails, such as at Pratt Farm were top priorities for the Town.

Respondents indicated that the top feature they would like to see downtown was more Community events, such as festivals, farmers markets.

Help us shape your Master Plan!

Take the survey!

Do you have feedback that we didn’t hear? Take the Land Use, Housing and Economic Development survey or join us at our next community workshop.

The final of our three topic-based workshops will be held this Fall. Sign up for our newsletter or follow us on social media to hear more about the date and location of our upcoming workshop, which will cover the topics of services, facilities, transportation, circulation, and related issues.

Other ways to engage include participating in our surveys, talking with us at tabling events, looking out for updates on our social media pages, or reaching out to us with your questions!

Do you have ideas about the ways SRPEDD and the Town of Middleborough can provide civic engagement opportunities that ensure all community members can be heard? Contact Maria Jones, SRPEDD Senior Public Engagement and Communications Planner, here.

Skill Builder: What is Civic Engagement?

What is a Civic Engagement? Civic engagement refers to “individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern” (American Psychological Association). Civic engagement also includes developing and utilizing knowledge, skills, and peer networks to improve the quality of life in our communities. These actions happen inside and outside of the political process (Youth.gov).

At SRPEDD, we aim to provide communities with opportunities to be civically engaged, such as the Middleborough Master Plan workshops. Other workshops include topics like environmental restoration, such as the living willow fence installation at Long Pond in Lakeville, and youth engagement, such as hearing from mentors of the Taunton Together Youth Program as part of the Regional Pedestrian Plan.

Civic engagement is essential for SRPEDD and town planners to understand your vision to enhance quality of life in your community. After hearing from you, SRPEDD connects cities and towns with funding opportunities, technical assistance, and works with them to create planning documents that provide guidance toward implementing your community vision.

SRPEDD and the Town of Middleborough