Plaistow Planning Board members on April 16 discussed the status of the town’s master plan update, pending site-subdivision and site-plan regulations, and options for regional planning support to accelerate work on zoning and economic development.

Board members said the board has received draft edits to its bylaws and expects a redraft to be circulated the following day, with a plan to consider formal readings and a vote at subsequent meetings. The planning-board discussion focused on next steps for the master plan review being led with assistance from the regional planning commission (RPC), and on whether to contract a so-called “circuit rider” — a paid RPC staff or consultant who would provide regular hours and technical support to the town.

The board said it has asked RPC for a status update and expects the consultant review of the site-subdivision and site-plan regulations — including technical input on soil testing and lot sizing from consulting engineer Steve Keach — to be completed by the next meeting. Members noted that the draft had been edited mostly to align definitions with the zoning ordinance and that a public hearing will be required before adoption.

Board members raised staffing and budget questions for a circuit-rider contract, noting the town had budgeted a reduced amount for the service this year and that any contract would need a scope and price. The board said previous circuit-rider work had focused on the housing chapter of the master plan and that RPC would likely be asked to provide (a) an assessment of which master-plan sections are behind schedule, (b) a proposed update schedule, and (c) targeted assistance (for example, outreach or application review support) separate from full master-plan work.

Members discussed forming a more focused economic-development effort, citing examples from neighboring towns that use a small committee with community representatives in addition to planning-board liaisons. Board members said an economic-development subcommittee or advisory group could help draft goals, public-facing descriptions for ballot items, and outreach language so voting residents can better understand proposed zoning changes.

The board also discussed how to make zoning amendments clearer to the public, with one member calling for simplified presentation (for example, tables) and topical ballot descriptions so voters are not overwhelmed by long, technical documents. Members reviewed an earlier election in which many ballot items received hundreds of nonvotes and agreed better public education before hearings would be needed.

The planning board asked the town to host RPC’s legislative and master-plan source materials on the planning page of the town website (in addition to the email push they receive) so committee members and the public can access the underlying documents and hyperlinks.

No formal action was taken on adoption of the master plan or on a circuit-rider contract at the meeting; board members asked staff to request updates from RPC and to prepare a draft scope for any future contract so the board can review potential costs and services.

Ending: The board asked the master-plan subcommittee to meet soon and report back; members said they hope to present a redraft of bylaws and schedule public hearings as required in advance of any votes.