Town Of Otis Revitalization Committee Update
By Cynthia Fletcher
June 2025
Beginnings. For the past several weeks, the Revitalization Committee has been working to define its vision and measurable goals. Using a working document compiled by chair Stacey Schultze and vice-chair Glenn Steinberg, the group identified these major elements of town vitality: a strong sense of community and vibrant social life; diverse economic opportunities; access to essential services; a reliable and expandable infrastructure; a healthy and safe environment. The elements ideally are rooted in a core of resiliency and the ability to adapt to change.
Keeping vitality elements in mind, the committee brainstormed items specific to Otis, and categorized each as a strength, weakness, opportunity or threat. From here, the group was able to pair some strengths with opportunities and threats, and some weaknesses with opportunities and threats. This exercise helped to identify quick wins, as well as priority items and short- and long-term projects.
At the same time, the committee considered pertinent town documents and proposals going back about 35 years to get an idea of what had been investigated by groups similar to the Revitalization Committee. Our study of past plans was to ensure that specific work would not be replicated, and to gain overall information prior to launching new ideas. We found the Action Plan contained within the existing Town Master Plan from 2015 to be particularly relevant. It contains categories that roughly align with vitality elements, and provides broad goals and specific objectives within those categories. The committee assessed the status of each line item, our endpoint being to augment completed successes and ongoing programs with right-sized, financially feasible projects aligned with community, committee and board support.
Where are we now? Results from SWOT/TOWS (project analysis methodologies) and Master Plan discussions led to the formulation of seven work groups.
Needs assessment survey—outreach for community/ business/visitor information.
Promotion and community events—quick wins.
Business growth and support, and outdoor rec, culture, and historical—partnering to support and enhance our town integrity.
Downtown—beautification and development of downtown Otis.
Infrastructure—addresses roads, sewers, water, industrial compost, alternative energy, and microgrid.
Services and population retention/growth—focuses on betterment of child-, adult- and health-care, affordable housing, attraction of young people to the community. 7: Managing cost/benefits of proposed projects—grant funding, creative problem solving while maintaining tax rate.
Upcoming. The Revitalization Committee is proceeding with a grant application to MA Development. If the grant is awarded, an assessor will be assigned to evaluate and advise best choices regarding public and abandoned buildings in downtown Otis.
All work groups will partner with and support existing committees, boards and commissions. The Revitalization Committee will be reaching out to groups and to the community as work proceeds.
We will be setting up a Facebook presence for informational purposes, and will advise when that is available.
Our regular meeting is the fourth Monday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the Town Hall conference room. We welcome your participation.
