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Vision Statement The Town of Charlton’s Comprehensive Plan is a reflection of our values, aspirations and our shared vision. Through an extensive planning process, hundreds of citizens expressed their views about Charlton and identified its perceived strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Identification of these community values and aspirations provide a basis for development of a shared vision. The public input process resulted in the identification of broad areas of consensus concerning the future direction for our town. The following vision statement defines these expectations, offers a direction for the future and provides a benchmark that we can use to measure our success. There was a considerable level of citizen involvement in providing the input needed to develop this vision statement. Over 740 citizens returned survey forms, 70 people participated in a visioning workshop to discuss our future, four different focus groups (Senior Citizens, Agriculture, Teens, and Businesses) were held to identify specific needs and issues related to those groups, and 56 people participated in a community image survey. In addition, multiple people from organizations, government agencies, area non-profit groups, and individuals were interviewed on specific topics. From all this input, the following major themes emerged with community consensus: üManagement of Growth üCommunity Character üEnvironmental Quality üSense of Community üInfrastructure Capacity and Public Services üAgriculture üRecreation üHousing The Town of Charlton’s vision statement describes the future as we choose for it. It is written from the perspective of fifteen years in the future and it expresses what we intend to achieve by this time. Vision Statement In the Year 2019, the Town of Charlton is recognized as having a high quality of life, exceptional livability, a strong identity, civic pride, and opportunities for all citizens to participate in our community life. We have managed residential and business growth in a way that has retained our essential rural and historic character, a quality environment, and active agriculture. Charlton is a community that sets high standards for protecting and maintaining the quality of our built and natural environment. Charlton remains essentially a farming and rural residential community, and the Hamlet of Charlton serves as the focus for community life. Town government provides quality community services and effectively responds to concerns and needs of all citizens. Our infrastructure is consistent with the rural nature of our town, the capacity of our resources, and with our growth management strategies. Topic Visions Management of Growth – Charlton effectively uses land use planning tools to promote controlled and managed growth while protecting rural lands from inefficient use, and preserving open spaces and the environment. Business growth is predominated by businesses that are consistent with the scale and character of the town. Community Character – Charlton values its rural vistas, historic character, and other irreplaceable natural and scenic views. We celebrate our history by preserving historic sites, buildings and landscapes, by interpreting our rich history for present and future generations, and by ensuring that new development is done in a manner which preserves our historic character. The aesthetic character of Charlton, defined through our rural, natural and historic context, is protected through careful attention to our roadways, streetscapes, scenic views, residential neighborhoods and small businesses. Our standards for development reflect the special character citizens desire to be maintained. Environmental Quality – Charlton recognizes that environmental quality contributes to our quality of life and effectively balances growth with protection of our woodlands, streams, wetlands, wildlife habitats, air, water resources and other essential natural resources. Sense of Community – Our many cultural activities and events are a source of community pride. Charlton invites all citizens to join and participate fully in the life of our community and retains its strong history of citizen involvement, volunteerism, and caring for others. Community facilities and programs are readily available. The Hamlet serves as a focus for community life. Infrastructure Capacity and Public Services – Charlton coordinates infrastructure policies with development policies, community character goals, and environmental capacity. Charlton provides for safe streets, well maintained roads, biking and walking opportunities and public transportation especially for senior citizens. Town government provides a high quality of affordable public services, exercises leadership, and effectively communicates with and responds to citizens. Agriculture – Active farms and farmland remain predominant land uses and landscape features of Charlton. The community is farm-friendly and proud of its support for active agriculture and modern agricultural techniques. Policies are in place to assist farm profitability and to reduce pressures for selling productive farmland for non-farm development. Recreation – Parks, open spaces, walking and biking trails, and diverse programs provide high quality recreational opportunities for all ages. Housing – Charlton has neighborhoods that meet the needs of all residents and that offer diverse housing opportunities. Housing needs of senior citizens are met. |
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