While no serious revisions to the MOU are currently being considered,
last year's data projects spurred planning district members to analyze
the document, originally drafted in 1983 and fully revised in 1998.
Included in the analysis is an open dialogue about MRVPD member entities
and the potential to include Mad River Glen and Moretown.
MRG AND MORETOWN
Schwartz says that there has yet to be a serious formal discussion of
the potential for MRG and Moretown to join the MRVPD, but the steering
committee has been discussing the various ways they could participate.
Potential areas for cooperation and collaboration, according to
Schwartz, include building a relationship with other organizations like
the Mad River Path Association and the Friends of the Mad River.
While Mad River Glen no longer receives Mad Bus Service, Schwartz said
their participation in the transportation advisory committee (TAC) is
another method for MRG to get involved.
TWELVE YEARS
The MRVPD is not in any way soliciting members, rather the group is
focusing on analyzing the data in the MOU to determine "what makes sense
now," according to Schwartz.
"It's been 12 years. We want to analyze what we have to see if those
agreements make the most sense today and ask ourselves if we have
everyone that needs to be a part of the dialogue," he said.
Schwartz also said that it is his understanding that Moretown was
offered the opportunity to join the planning district and declined.
"Only about a third of Moretown is actually within The Valley. They've
got different watersheds, but there is definitely an impact on The
Valley," said Schwartz.
HEALTHY DIALOGUE
"I've heard that something like 70 percent of people in Moretown don't
drive through the village on a daily basis," Schwartz said.
Schwartz said that while the planning district isn't actively seeking
new membership, they continue to have an open, "healthy dialogue" about
the arrangements they have with their partners.
The planning district is currently comprised of Fayston, Waitsfield,
Warren, Sugarbush and the Chamber of Commerce. Each town and Sugarbush
pays $21,010 as partners.
This was the first year in seven years that there was a low percentage
increase in membership costs, according to Schwartz.
PAYING MEMBER
Schwartz said part of the conversation regarding the MOU data analysis
is whether it makes sense that the chamber is a non-paying partner with a
vote and Sugarbush is a paying member with a vote.
"The MOU was written in 1983 and was very specific to the time period;
when it was rewritten in 1998, it expanded and said that the planning
district could participate in anything Act 250 related, any project that
has a Valleywide impact," Schwartz said.
"This is an opportunity to talk and look at all of our different
interests. We're not soliciting members; just doing an oil change on the
MOU," he added.
For more information about the MRVPD call 496-7173 or visit
www.mrvpd.org.
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