West Pawlet Village Master Plan
The Town of Pawlet is in the process of developing a Master Plan to help guide the future of the West Pawlet Village. A Master Plan is a document—often with photos, drawings and maps—which outline the desired future vision and general goals of the community. This planning process seeks to invite local residents to provide input on what issues are most important to them and what they would like to see to help shape the plan.
Topics of discussion can include any variety of issues, including business needs, parking, streetscape improvements, housing, zoning, recreation, water and sewer services, tourism, industry, youth and senior activities, trail improvements, and many more. But we need your help—a Master Plan needs to be developed using the input of the community—we want to hear your ideas! Please join us at any of our various events and meetings, described below, to hear different ideas and share your own.
Document Downloads
West Pawlet Village Center Map
Community Survey Results
Open House Notes
Open House Display Boards
Pot Luck Dinner Presentation 1
January 12
Intersection & Streetscape
Pot Luck Meeting 1 - Notes
Pot Luck Dinner Presentation 2
January 27
Village Revitalization
Pot Luck Meeting 2 - Notes
Pot Luck Dinner Presentation 4
February 23
Community Events
DRAFT PLAN Presentation
DRAFT MASTER PLAN VERSION 2.0
(NEW!)
DRAFT MASTER PLAN
(Version 1.0)
Pot Luck Dinner Presentation 3
February 9
Corner Store
Pot Luck Meeting 4 - Notes
Presentation Meeting Notes April 20
Pot Luck Meeting 3 - Notes
News & Announcements
UPDATED VILLAGE MASTER PLAN - (NEW!) June 27, 2023
An updated copy of the Village Master Plan (version 2.0) has been completed and is available for viewing or download in the ’Documents’ section above. This new version is intended to address comments and suggestions since the draft presentation, as well as make minor corrections.
DRAFT MASTER PLAN PRESENTATION
Join us on Thursday, April 20th 6-8pm at the West Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department to review the draft Village Master Plan and provide your comments and suggestions as we move closer to finalizing the plan in preparation for adoption by the Town of Pawlet. This document will be an important tool in future planning as well as assiting the town with securing future grant funding to implement different community needs.
A copy of the Draft Plan is available in the ‘Documents’ section above, or by clicking HERE. We encourage everyone to learn about the ideas and recommendations contained in the plan and provide feedback at our April 20th meeting. If you are not able to attend, you can also submit comments to us via the Comment Form (See yellow button at the bottom of this page for the link to that form).
Thank you, and we hope you can join us!
Community Survey Results Complete
The results of the community survey, conducted Aug-Sept 2022, have been tabulated into a report, and included with the results of a separate user survey of people travelling along the Rail Trail. The purpose of this community survey was to identify priority topics of discussion for the upcoming Pot Luck Dinner Meetings. We invite everyone to review the results, which can be downloaded HERE.
Pot Luck Dinner Meetings Finished
Four Pot Luck Dinner Meetings have been hosted at the West Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department to discuss future village plans on a number of important topics. For more information, see the detailed descriptions in “Prior Events” below.
Upcoming Events
Draft Plan Presentation
Please join us on Thursday, April 20th 6-8pm at the West Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department to review the draft Village Master Plan and provide your comments and suggestions as we move closer to finalizing the plan in preparation for adoption by the Town of Pawlet.
This document will be an important tool in future planning as well as assiting the town with securing future grant funding to implement different community needs.
A copy of the Draft Plan will be made available here on this webpage once it is ready for review. We encourage everyone to learn about the ideas and recommendations contained in the plan and provide feedback at our April 20th meeting. If you are not able to attend, you can also submit comments to us via the Comment Form (See yellow button at the bottom of this page for the link to that form).
Prior Events
Pot Luck Dinner Meetings
We are hosting a series of four “Pot Luck Dinner Meetings” over the next few months to bring people together and discuss some of the topics which were identified as high priority in the Community Survey. Please join us at any one of our four topic meetings to enjoy some food, see the results of the recent Community Survey, and discuss topics identified in that survey as most important to local residents. We invite you to bring a dish of easy-to-eat finger foods, appetizers and other dishes to enjoy with your neighbors! All meetings will be held at the West Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department between 6pm and 9pm on the dates noted below.
Public comments collected from these meetings will be used to craft recommendations for the Draft Plan, which will be presented in the Spring for public review.
Pot Luck Dinner Meetings
We are hosting a series of four “Pot Luck Dinner Meetings” over the next few months to bring people together and discuss some of the topics which were identified as high priority in the Community Survey. Please join us at any one of our four topic meetings to enjoy some food, see the results of the recent Community Survey, and discuss topics identified in that survey as most important to local residents. We invite you to bring a dish of easy-to-eat finger foods, appetizers and other dishes to enjoy with your neighbors! All meetings will be held at the West Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department between 6pm and 9pm on the dates noted below.
Public comments collected from these meetings will be used to craft recommendations for the Draft Plan, which will be presented in the Spring for public review.
Roadway Intersection & Safety Improvements
January 12th 6pm - 9pm
Roadway and intersection safety improvements were one of the top priorities identified by residents in the recent community survey. This pot luck topic will discuss desired safety improvements to the Route 153 / Egg St intersection, including the area around the WWI monument and Rail Trail parking area.
COMPLETE! - View Presentation
Village Revitalization & Cleanup
January 26th 6pm - 9pm
The creation of new local businesses and the cleanup and restoration of vacant buildings were identified as priority topics in the recent community survey, as were pedestrian and sidewalk safety improvements. This meeting topic will discuss ways we could help revitalize the village, attract desired new businesses, improve sidewalks and clean up the village overall.
COMPLETE! - View Presentation
Corner Store
February 9th 6pm - 9pm
The loss of the former Dutchies store was a blow to the community, and many people noted in the community survey that a new store would be very welcome. This meeting will be used to discuss ways the town could help to attract a new corner store in the village, potential locations where it might be located and what features, amenities and services it should include.
COMPLETE! - View Presentation
The Firehouse & Community Events
February 23rd 6pm - 9pm
The West Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department serves in many ways as the heart of the village, often hosting events which bring neighbors together and strengthens our sense of community. This meeting will be used to discuss the long-term needs of the firehouse, if their future plans could help advance other goals in the village, and ideas for new community events.
COMPLETE! - View Presentation
Timeline
Project Start: May 2022 (Completed)
Open House Event: June 27, 2022 (Completed)
Community Survey: August - September 2022 (Completed)
Focus Group (Pot Luck Dinners) Meetings: January - February 2023 (Completed)
Draft Plan Presentation - April 20th, 2023
Final Master Plan - Spring 2023
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the goal of this effort?
The goal of this effort is to develop a vision document which will help guide the Town of Pawlet on achieving both short and long-term priorities for improving the community. The document can be used by local town officials, community leaders and residents to enable an organized and focused approach to getting things done. It can also be used to help leverage future grant funding for specific projects which the community supports.
How is this work being paid for?
The Town of Pawlet Municipal Planning Grant Committee (MPGC) applied for—and was awarded—a grant from the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development through the Rutland Regional Planning Commission. Regrowth Planning, a local planning consultant, has been hired to organize the public outreach and assist the MPGC with the writing of this plan.
How can I submit comments or suggestions?
West Pawlet residents are invited to attend the various meetings and events for this effort, including the Open House, Pot Luck Dinners and presentations scheduled over the year. You may also submit comments and questions through our online form, located here: LINK TO COMMENT FORM