Draft - Minutes of the Pittsfield Planning Commission February 24, 2026

​Pittsfield Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
DRAFT
 
 
To listen to a recording of the meeting click here:  https://bit.ly/4kZ689G
 
Date:  February 24, 2026
 
Present:  Mark Stugart, Rose O’Brien, Tim Hunt, Ann Kuendig, Ari Lattanzi-TRORC 
 
AGENDA

1. Review outreach materials and assign outreach tasks
2. Confirm Top Hazards
3. Review status of 2020 LHMP Actions
4. Review Town capabilities and vulnerabilities
5. Set next meeting date
6. Adjournment

 
Tim called the meeting to order at 6:07pm. Mark  seconded. All in favor.

1. Review Outreach materials and assign outreach tasks-Ari Lattanzi reviewed the poster she put together to publicize the public meeting. It was agreed to add color and the word Flood to the poster. Mark offered to print and distribute posters around town. Ann offered to have posted on the town website, social media FB page and Front Porch Forum. The group reviewed the community survey Ari drafted. It was agreed to add different locations to submit the completed survey and a March 12 deadline. Ann offered to have the survey’s printed and distribute to Town offices, Library, Pit Stop and Town Meeting as well as post the online version to the Town website, and social media FB page and Front Porch Forum.  Ann will provide the TEAMS remote access link to the public meeting which will be on the Agenda for the regular Select board Meeting on March 19 to begin at 6pm. Ari agreed to provide the group with the public meeting presentation by Monday March 9.The survey link is https://forms.office.com/g/evz37VibZW
2. Confirm Top Hazards-Based on several hazard ranking exercises from the group, Ari presented the following:

 
PCC LHMP Sub-Committee Meeting                                           pg 2
February 24, 2026
 
 
Probability of Significant Event
Impact to People
Impact to Built Env
Impact to Natural Env
Impact to Economy
Average Impact
Score

Fluvial Erosion 
4
3.0
4.0
4.0
3.0
3.5
14.0

Flooding
4
3.0
4.0
3.0
3.0
3.3
13.0

Ice
4
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
12.0

Heat
4
4.0
1.0
2.0
2.0
2.3
9.0

Drought
3
2.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
2.8
8.3

Wind
4
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
8.0

Snow
4
2.0
2.0
1.0
2.0
1.8
7.0

Infectious Disease 
2.5
4.0
1.0
1.0
4.0
2.5
6.3

Invasive Species
2.5
1.0
2.0
4.0
3.0
2.5
6.3

Cold
3
2.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
1.5
4.5

Hail
2.5
1.0
1.0
1.0
2.0
1.3
3.1

Wildfire
2.25
1.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
1.3
2.8

Landslides
1.75
1.0
2.0
2.0
1.0
1.5
2.6

Earthquake
1.5
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.5

 
She said if we keep this ranking, the top five would be the priority hazards for the 2026 LHMP. The Community Survey results could also impact priority ranking. Hazards can be combined based on similar causes/effects, so Pittsfield could prioritize the following for mitigation strategies:

1. Flooding & Fluvial Erosion
2. Ice / Snow
3. Heat
4. Drought
5. Wind

 

1. Review Status of 2020 LHMP Actions- The group reviewed status of 2020 actions and made changes. The Actions pertaining to roads and highway department will be sent to George for review.
2. Review Town capabilities and vulnerabilities-the group discussed the ways vulnerable populations and their contacts are identified. A list of at-risk residents is included in the town’s Emergency Management Plan.  Because of the growing number of rental properties, there is no way to know the number of vulnerable people who may be residing in Pittsfield during an emergency. The group discussed putting together a what to do in an emergency and local contacts to be provided as a resource to homeowner associations and air bnb or VRBO properties. Abandoned structures that might be at risk of falling into the river during a flood emergency were also discussed.

 
PCC LHMP Sub-Committee Meeting                                           pg 3
February 24, 2026
 
Ari was thanked for her presentation and Mark adjourned the meeting at 7:50pm. Tim seconded. All in favor,
 
Next meeting date:  Thursday March 19, 2026. 6:00pm at Pittsfield Town Hall
                                                                      Minutes by
Approved:                                                       s.Ann Kuendig
 
Mark Stugart, Rose O’Brien, Craig Westling, Tim Hunt, Tim Thody, George Deblon, Dave Colton, Ann Kuendig