Newton Vision Chapter - Newton NH
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Chapter 3: sections of the plan. This section shall
contain a set of statements that
Vision for Newton NH articulate the desires of the citizens
affected by the master plan, not only
Newton Vision Chapter for their locality but also for the region
and the whole state. It shall contain a
The Town of Newton is primarily a set of guiding principles and priorities
residential community that would like to implement that vision.”
to encourage land uses such as
agriculture, single-family homes, local Goals.
businesses, and the conservation and Based on the Survey results, the
protection of natural resources. The
following goals for Newton’s Master
Town of Newton seeks to preserve our
Plan are set forward by the Planning
rural character, our natural, historical
and cultural resources, while Board:
providing municipal and commercial Goal 1. Preserve and protect
services, recreational facilities and Newton’s water and other natural
housing options that support the needs resources.
of the community in a fiscally, socially
and environmentally sustainable Dominant as a priority by 92% of the
manner. Master Plan Survey respondents is
preserving clean private well water,
This vision statement was first with 88% noting the importance of
formulated in 2006, informed by a natural water resources. After water
survey of town residents. In 2021, a resources, other natural resources like
new survey was conducted by the
tree-lined roads, forests and farmlands,
Rockingham Planning Commission for
dark night sky and habitats for wild
the Newton Planning Board with 407
respondents, a high level of animals are cited by a majority as very
participation with comments and important to the character of Newton.
observations. The entire survey is Specific Recommendations for Goal 1:
appended to the Master Plan. The
results are very similar to the past 1. Monitor and chart drought
surveys done in Newton in 1986, 1999 conditions.
and 2006, affirming the vision 2. Provide annual town financial
statement above. and logistical support for the
Country Pond Lake Association
According to RSA 674:2 II(a), the and NH Lake Host Program.
master plan shall include a vision
section that “serves to direct the other
Vision for Newton 6/2021
13. Establish new land conservation Specific recommendations for Goal 2:
goals and strategy within one
Form Newton Chamber of Commerce
year.
4. Create a 5-year land to encompass local businesses within 2
management plan for all public years.
lands to maintain and improve The Chamber can coordinate traffic,
the health of the existing demand studies, work with the State on
ecosystem, biodiversity,
planning, and work with the Board of
connectivity and pollinator
Selectmen and voters on tax incentives
habitats.
5. Execute a formal review of to induce business establishments.
zoning regulations in order to Funding to be explored from grants and
protect Newton’s water and taxpayer support.
other natural resources. This Establish a Village District
should include an examination
subcommittee within two years. This
of the regulations of other rural
will sit within the Chamber of
communities, increases to
residential lot size allowances, Commerce and focus on ways to
and incentives to developers to encourage development in the Village
preserve tree cover, ecosystems, District area.
and natural buffer zones over the
Goal 3. Address deferred
next two years.
6. Institute and enforce strict maintenance of Newton’s
repercussions for zoning Infrastructure, including town
ordinance violations. buildings and highways.
Goal 2. Pursue tax base Comments from the Town Government
development that preserves rural portion of the survey described
unaddressed needs at the Town Hall
character or existing residential
and the Library, as well as deferred
development areas. road maintenance; the result of a
Reasonable commercial and industrial budget that has not increased in 13
development within existing zoning years.
ordinances is highly important to Town building maintenance is being
Survey respondents as a means to planned and budgeted in 2021.
restrain property tax growth.
Specific Recommendations for Goal 3.
Tax growth restraint is a common
theme in similar rural communities 1. Establish a Town Committee in
throughout New Hampshire. year one to plan 5-year Capital
Improvement Plan, recommend
Vision for Newton 6/2021
2annual budget allocations, and regulations, such as junk yards,
seek grants to support town unregistered vehicles, non-compliance
building and highway with Planning Board conditional
approvals, speeding and littering.
maintenance, and establish
reserves. Specific Recommendations for Goal 5
2. Explore expansion of impact
fees to support the town’s capital 1. Expand funding for more hours
needs. and/or support for code
enforcement.
2. Add one-year reinspection
condition on all approvals.
Goal 4. Simplify and clarify the
zoning regulations and
application process.
Many survey respondents express the
need for improved communication of
zoning ordinances and procedures.
Specific Recommendations for Goal 4
1. Institute a Planning Board
review and amendment of
applications within one year.
2. Approve and publish on the
town website the Master Plan
revisions within one year. This
includes the new Introduction,
Vision Chapter and Survey.
3. Establish a standing Master Plan
Steering Committee for ongoing
Master Plan reviews and
updates.
Goal 5. Improve enforcement of
existing town regulations.
Many Survey respondents comment
with concern and frustration over
common violations of existing town
Vision for Newton 6/2021
3MASTER PLAN SURVEY – were also invited to provide their
2021 SUMMARY REPORT thoughts. Of the responses received, no
FROM ROCKINGHAM individual taking the survey lives
PLANNING COMMISSION* outside of Newton and only nine
Full Survey found in Appendix
participants owned a business in
Newton. Over half of survey
Results participants (57%) have lived in Newton
Between April 16, 2021 and May 17, for more than 10 years, just under half
2021 a total of 407 individuals took the of participants were over the age of 55
survey and provided 26,125 responses (45%), and 63% work full time.
or comments to the survey questions.
The full survey results are available at
The survey was a predominantly online
https://publicinput.com/Newton2021
survey with links posted on the Town
and on the Newton Planning Board
website, information within an article on
website at https://www.newton-
the Carriage Towne News, posted on the
nh.gov/newton-nh-planning-board.
unofficial Newton community
Facebook pages, announcements at Next Steps
multiple municipal board meetings, The Newton Planning Board is working
flyers handed out at the Transfer Station, on drafting updates to the Vision
and on flyers posted around Newton. Chapter of the Master Plan and then
Paper surveys were made available at working on a more routine basis of
the Newton Town Hall and Public updating additional chapters. Any
Library. (However, no paper surveys updates to the Newton Master Plan
with responses were received.) This will require a public hearing prior to
survey is neither statistically nor Planning Board adoption in
scientifically valid, however, it does accordance with RSA 674:1-4.
represent the most comprehensive
insight into the needs and wants of
Newton since the 2006 Master Plan
Survey which had a total of only 66
participants. This survey will serve as
one of many sources used in the current
Master Plan update; other sources may
include public meetings, census data,
and other resources.
The survey was intended primarily for
residents, however, individuals who
own property or a business in Newton
Vision for Newton 6/2021
4The Newton Master Plan Survey was potential negative side effects
developed by the Newton Master
We need to work to reduce the tax burden
Plan Steering Committee, a
on homeowners. Clean industry would be a
subcommittee of the Newton
good add. Unique boutiques and cafes
Planning Board, with assistance from
would lure tourist in. If taxes don't reduce,
Rockingham Planning Commission.
retired people won't be able to live here.
Summary of Findings I've seen the increased traffic on Rt 108. It is
The following outline some of the ideal for businesses that cater to tourists
major survey findings. The survey itself without taking away from the character of
was published to assist the Newton Newton.” “
Planning Board in updating the Master
Plan, however, some questions were
also included to assist other municipal from certain types of businesses.
Services provided by the Town
boards, services, and functions. Many
are generally highly regarded, but
of the items asked about in this survey
costs and impacts on tax rates
are the same as previous Newton was a strong concern.
surveys published in 1984, 1998 and
2006 to allow for tracking changes in The major themes are consistent with
priorities and concerns over time. previous survey findings, however,
there was an increase in concern about
Several major themes emerged from commercial development impacts on
survey responses: existing residential areas.
• Most residents want to maintain What Do You Like Best About Living
Newton’s rural character, but in Newton?
many expressed a desire to Top three answers:
encourage commercial
development that had low • 80% Like the rural atmosphere.
impacts on residents and natural • 49% Like the natural features.
resources. The implications on
the tax rate from different types
of development (single-family, “I love the small-town
55+ facilities, and commercial atmosphere, you know your
development) was also a large neighbors, you know the town
concern. officials, and dumpday is more of
• Many are concerned about a community day than it is an
protecting Newton’s natural effort. “
resources, particularly water
resources and open spaces, and
Vision for Newton 6/2021
5• 43% Like that it is near main • For future housing options, more
highways.
“While remaining rural is a key to my vision
of the future of Newton this town must
What Features are Important to
bring businesses into offset property tax.
Newton’s Character?
Many features of Newton showed Newton needs growth in more than just
strong preferences among residents: housing in order to keep up with changing
times.”
• 81% thought locally owned
business were important or very
important. residents preferred single
family and generally did not
• 88% felt it is important to keep
want more multifamily or
commercial uses in the currently
allowed zoning districts. manufactured housing.
Seventy-nine percent (79%) • Amenities such as open spaces,
indicated it was important to trails, farmers’ markets, bike
increase separation between paths and recreation facilities
commercial/industrial uses and were overall desired by most
residential uses. residents.
• 94% of residents indicated that Cost of Town Services
maintaining open spaces, natural From participant comments received
areas, and working farms are throughout the survey property taxes
important or very important. (both town and school portions) are a
• 99% felt that healthy water major concern for residents. The survey
resources were important or very
focused on the cost for town services
important.
specifically as it is more related to land
What Features should the Town pursue use planning activities. However, the
more of? survey results indicate tax rate impacts
There were some areas where residents are a major influence about future
had diverse opinions about what decisions for Newton.
Newton needs more of:
• There was a mix of the types of
commercial property uses that
were more desired in Newton,
but generally low impact
businesses/industry or services
(such as restaurants) were
preferred.
Vision for Newton 6/2021
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