Strategic Planning Committee Charge

Appointing Authority: Select Board

Membership: 5 members, with a maximum of 7 members with three-year overlapping terms. The members shall be comprised of Town Board and Committee member representatives, at-large community members, and business community representatives, with a composition that provides for a balance of subject matter expertise and input in each priority area of the Strategic Plan. 

Staff Support: Town Planner, Town Administrator and/or their designee.

Overview

The Strategic Planning Committee works with designated Town staff to inform planning andprioritization for the Town's future service needs while identifying the resources and partnerships required to meet those needs. Committee members are expected to seek the overall best interests of the Town of Eastham and conduct inclusive work that reflects the ideas and values of the full community

The work of the Committee is critical in shaping the Town's decision-making, budgeting, and staff resource allocation, thereby increasing the Town's ability to respond to unexpected challenges and/or opportunities.

In collaboration with Town Staff, the Committee will conduct work during both “plan update years” and “active plan years,” with different outputs required for each phase of work.

•  During plan update years, the Committee shall solicit, integrate, and effectively communicate information and ideas generated through data gathering in order to develop a set of strategic goals that can meet requirements for both the Town’s 5-Year Strategic Plan and 10-Year Local Comprehensive Plan (as specified by Cape Cod’s Regional Planning Agency, the Cape Cod Commission).

•  During active plan years, the Committee shall work to support Town progress towards the goals and actions outlined in the Strategic Plan; review and proactively provide comment on new projects and initiatives to determine alignment with Plan priorities; and provide advisory guidance to staff on an annual Strategic Plan progress report for the public.

The Committee shall meet as deemed necessary by the Chair to complete the work outlined in this charge, generally a maximum of one meeting per month with the option of additional meetings in the run-up to the Annual Town Meeting.

Responsibilities

The specific responsibilities of the Committee shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

PLAN UPDATE YEARS

During Plan Update Years, the Committee shall work as follows to developrecommendations and strategic goals that will be presented to the Select Board for review and approval:

• Review progress and achievements under the current 5-Year Strategic Plan and identify which actions should carry over to the next 5-Year Plan.

• Thoroughly and systematically review the Town’s various “subject matter area plans” (i.e., Housing Production Plan, Open Space Recreation Plan, Harbor and Waterways Management Plan, etc.); prior relevant studies (T-Time Survey results, Eastham Market Study, Local Rapid Recovery Plan, etc.); and Townwide goals and initiatives (wastewater planning, broadband, etc.), and determine how these should be incorporated into the next 5-Year Strategic Plan.

• Survey Town committees, boards, and commissions on their goals and work plans for the plan update period and incorporate these goals as appropriate.

•  At the discretion of the committee, call on Town departments and individuals that possess 

expertise and desired input to participate, as needed. The Committee may explore topics with staff, other Town committees, and/or the public including: public safety; business and residential development; the needs and perceptions of specific groups such as part-time non-resident taxpayers and/or the business community; affordable housing; human services and recreation; education; infrastructure needs; capital investment; health and environment; climate change adaptation; community preservation; and anyother relevant topics as determined by the committee.

•  Work with staff to review Plan goals for feasibility in implementation and measuring/tracking progress over time.

•  Provide education and engagement opportunities for the general public on any new goals or actions, and/or those requiring significant financial investment.

•  Work regularly with the Select Board, Finance Committee, and Capital Projects Committee to prioritize identified strategic goals and actions and ensure stewardship of allocated tax dollars.

•  Develop a Town-wide strategic vision, in keeping with requirements of a 10- year Local Comprehensive Plan.

•  Create a tracking calendar and target metrics for key goals and actions.

ACTIVE PLAN YEARS

Once the initial Strategic Plan is accepted by the Select Board, the Committee shall work to support Town progress towards the goals and actions outlined in the Plan.

•  Review new projects and/or opportunities presented to the Town to help staff determine if or how they further progress towards established goals, actions, and metrics.

•  Review and give recommendations on Strategic Plan-related warrant articles for Town Meeting.

•  Work collaboratively with Town staff to formulate and recommend content for an annual update report to the public, illustrating progress toward Plan goals, actions, and metrics.

Legal Reference

Eastham Town Charter- Article III, Section C3

Adopted by the Board of Selectmen July 19, 2017. Revised by the Select Board August 6, 2021

Revised and adopted by the Select Board September 13, 2021

Revised and adopted by the Select Board January 23, 2023

During Plan Update Years, the Committee shall work as follows to develop recommendations and 

strategic goals that will be presented to the Select Board for

review and approval:

ACTIVE PLAN YEARS

Once the initial Strategic Plan is accepted by the Select Board, the Committee shall work to 

support Town progress towards the goals and actions outlined in the Plan.

•  Review new projects and/or opportunities presented to the Town to help staff determine if or how 

they further progress towards established goals, actions, and metrics.

•  Review and give recommendations on Strategic Plan-related warrant articles for

Town Meeting.

•  Work collaboratively with Town staff to formulate and recommend content for an annual update 

report to the public, illustrating progress toward Plan goals, actions, and metrics.

Legal Reference

Eastham Town Charter- Article III, Section C3

Adopted by the Board of Selectmen July 19, 2017. Revised by the Select Board August 6, 2021

Revised and adopted by the Select Board September 13, 2021

Revised and adopted by the Select Board January 23, 2023

Legal Reference

Eastham Town Charter- Article III, Section C3

Adopted by the Board of Selectmen July 19, 2017.

Revised by the Select Board August 6, 2021

Revised and adopted by the Select Board September 13, 2021

Read the full charge to the Strategic Planning Committee.

Email the Strategic Planning Committee.