On October 1, the Sturbridge Planning Board voted to dissolve the Zoning Study Committee 6 -1.  After Steve Halterman made this announcement, Mary Blanchard asked what the next steps would be.  Town Administrator Jim Malloy stated there were 2 options, it is either defunct or the BOS could choose to meet with the Planning Board to discuss since the ZSC was jointly formed.  Mrs.  Blanchard then asked if the votes from the previous BOS vote on September 3rd could be combined with the votes from the Planning Board Meeting to determine the final outcome for the Zoning Study Committee.

Scott Garieri didn’t think the BOS should be keeping the Zoning Study Committee if the Planning Board didn’t feel it should continue.  Steve Halterman then suggested the discussion be tabled to a later date.  Mary Blanchard disagreed and thought the BOS Chairman misinterpreted the purpose of the discussion at the September 3rd BOS meeting and that a joint meeting was required with the Planning Board.  Ted Goodwin stated the ZSC had become too politically charged and the only option was to dissolve it.  Mr. Goodwin then made a motion to dissolve the ZSC and Mrs. Blanchard seconded the motion.

Hal White stated the ZSC was the only entity conducting long range planning and asked if there could be another group to do this since the Master Plan would be revisited for another year.  Jim Malloy stated funds from free cash could be used to start the process earlier.  In addition, Jim stated the second hour in the BOS work sessions, not currently being utilized, could be used for Dialog for the Future.  Mr. Garieri agreed focusing on the Master Plan would be more effective.

The Sturbridge Board of Selectman voted to dissolve the Zoning Study Committee 4-1, Steve Halterman was the opposing vote.