Westhampton Resilient Master Plan Community Survey

The Town of Westhampton is creating its first ever Master Plan. A Master Plan is our collective vision for the future. Your input is essential to identifying what we want our town to be like and to look like over the next 10-20 years.

The plan will address transportation, housing, economic development, land use, infrastructure, facilities and services, culture and history, community connections, and how we can be more resilient in response to the impacts of a changing climate. The Town is also updating our Open Space and Recreation Plan.

Your opinion is an important piece of the planning process and will help shape the Master Plan.

This survey takes about 25-30 minutes.

Please complete by June 5, 2022

We encourage each member of your household to fill out their own survey.

Paper surveys are available at Town Hall and the Library.

Thank you!

Westhampton Master Plan Working Group

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* 1. Please provide a few words or a phrase that best describes Westhampton.

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* 2. What are your favorite aspects of living in Westhampton? (Check all that apply, write-ins encouraged)

Rural Setting

Sense of community

Ability to live in peace, quiet, and privacy

Low-density development (housing, commercial)

Safety

Agriculture, open space, and forested landscapes

Local culture

Westhampton Public Library

Cost of living

Quality of public resources: schools, health and safety, infrastructure (roads, public buildings, utilities)

Proximity to family and friends

Proximity to larger communities (cultural events, restaurants, colleges) and highways

Other (please specify)

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* 3. What aspects of living in Westhampton would you like to see change? (Check all that apply, write-ins encouraged).

Affordability for seniors and young families to live in Westhampton

Diversity of population

Access to public transportation

More opportunities to connect with community (neighborhood and town wide events)

Improved high-speed internet capability

Improved local communication outlets (Town website, newsletters)

Other (please specify)

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* 4. Please indicate your preferences on the following approaches to managing land use and future development patterns in town.

	Agree	Neutral	Disagree
Distribute new development throughout town rather than in concentrated areas	Distribute new development throughout town rather than in concentrated areas Agree	Distribute new development throughout town rather than in concentrated areas Neutral	Distribute new development throughout town rather than in concentrated areas Disagree
Encourage new development to locate in compact neighborhood or village style layout	Encourage new development to locate in compact neighborhood or village style layout Agree	Encourage new development to locate in compact neighborhood or village style layout Neutral	Encourage new development to locate in compact neighborhood or village style layout Disagree
Discourage new development in environmentally sensitive areas	Discourage new development in environmentally sensitive areas Agree	Discourage new development in environmentally sensitive areas Neutral	Discourage new development in environmentally sensitive areas Disagree
Protect farmland, water supplies, open spaces to preserve resources and maintain rural character	Protect farmland, water supplies, open spaces to preserve resources and maintain rural character Agree	Protect farmland, water supplies, open spaces to preserve resources and maintain rural character Neutral	Protect farmland, water supplies, open spaces to preserve resources and maintain rural character Disagree
Protect views and mountain/hill tops	Protect views and mountain/hill tops Agree	Protect views and mountain/hill tops Neutral	Protect views and mountain/hill tops Disagree
Update local bylaws/regulations to minimize the impact of new development (e.g., sustainable development, best management practices, environmental protection)	Update local bylaws/regulations to minimize the impact of new development (e.g., sustainable development, best management practices, environmental protection) Agree	Update local bylaws/regulations to minimize the impact of new development (e.g., sustainable development, best management practices, environmental protection) Neutral	Update local bylaws/regulations to minimize the impact of new development (e.g., sustainable development, best management practices, environmental protection) Disagree

Other (please specify)

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* 5. Please give your preferences for future housing development in town. Options are not mutually exclusive.

	Agree	Neutral	Disagree
Encourage a mix of housing types and prices to create a diversity of housing compatible with local character	Encourage a mix of housing types and prices to create a diversity of housing compatible with local character Agree	Encourage a mix of housing types and prices to create a diversity of housing compatible with local character Neutral	Encourage a mix of housing types and prices to create a diversity of housing compatible with local character Disagree
Encourage more moderate-income housing ($300,000 or less per unit)	Encourage more moderate-income housing ($300,000 or less per unit) Agree	Encourage more moderate-income housing ($300,000 or less per unit) Neutral	Encourage more moderate-income housing ($300,000 or less per unit) Disagree
Assist low/moderate income homeowners with upgrades to weatherization, septic systems, wells, lead paint removal, etc.	Assist low/moderate income homeowners with upgrades to weatherization, septic systems, wells, lead paint removal, etc. Agree	Assist low/moderate income homeowners with upgrades to weatherization, septic systems, wells, lead paint removal, etc. Neutral	Assist low/moderate income homeowners with upgrades to weatherization, septic systems, wells, lead paint removal, etc. Disagree
Allow duplexes compatible with local character	Allow duplexes compatible with local character Agree	Allow duplexes compatible with local character Neutral	Allow duplexes compatible with local character Disagree
Allow accessory dwellings compatible with local character	Allow accessory dwellings compatible with local character Agree	Allow accessory dwellings compatible with local character Neutral	Allow accessory dwellings compatible with local character Disagree
Allow new senior housing and retirement communities that are compatible with local character and meet the needs of older adults	Allow new senior housing and retirement communities that are compatible with local character and meet the needs of older adults Agree	Allow new senior housing and retirement communities that are compatible with local character and meet the needs of older adults Neutral	Allow new senior housing and retirement communities that are compatible with local character and meet the needs of older adults Disagree
Allow multi-family apartments or townhouses compatible with local character	Allow multi-family apartments or townhouses compatible with local character Agree	Allow multi-family apartments or townhouses compatible with local character Neutral	Allow multi-family apartments or townhouses compatible with local character Disagree
I prefer new housing to be on lots with frontage on existing roads (current zoning requires 250 ft road frontage and 50,000sf lot size)	I prefer new housing to be on lots with frontage on existing roads (current zoning requires 250 ft road frontage and 50,000sf lot size) Agree	I prefer new housing to be on lots with frontage on existing roads (current zoning requires 250 ft road frontage and 50,000sf lot size) Neutral	I prefer new housing to be on lots with frontage on existing roads (current zoning requires 250 ft road frontage and 50,000sf lot size) Disagree
I prefer new housing to be in developments on new subdivision roads (current zoning requires 250 ft road frontage and 50,000sf lot size)	I prefer new housing to be in developments on new subdivision roads (current zoning requires 250 ft road frontage and 50,000sf lot size) Agree	I prefer new housing to be in developments on new subdivision roads (current zoning requires 250 ft road frontage and 50,000sf lot size) Neutral	I prefer new housing to be in developments on new subdivision roads (current zoning requires 250 ft road frontage and 50,000sf lot size) Disagree
I prefer new housing to be in subdivisions with houses clustered on smaller lots with remaining land in the subdivision placed in permanent conservation	I prefer new housing to be in subdivisions with houses clustered on smaller lots with remaining land in the subdivision placed in permanent conservation Agree	I prefer new housing to be in subdivisions with houses clustered on smaller lots with remaining land in the subdivision placed in permanent conservation Neutral	I prefer new housing to be in subdivisions with houses clustered on smaller lots with remaining land in the subdivision placed in permanent conservation Disagree

Other (please specify)

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* 6. Please give your preferences for new business development in town.

	Agree	Neutral	Disagree
Small business development in a manner that does not impact residential neighbors and preserves rural character	Small business development in a manner that does not impact residential neighbors and preserves rural character Agree	Small business development in a manner that does not impact residential neighbors and preserves rural character Neutral	Small business development in a manner that does not impact residential neighbors and preserves rural character Disagree
Home-based businesses	Home-based businesses Agree	Home-based businesses Neutral	Home-based businesses Disagree
Arts and cultural businesses	Arts and cultural businesses Agree	Arts and cultural businesses Neutral	Arts and cultural businesses Disagree
Farms or agricultural businesses	Farms or agricultural businesses Agree	Farms or agricultural businesses Neutral	Farms or agricultural businesses Disagree
Forestry, wood products	Forestry, wood products Agree	Forestry, wood products Neutral	Forestry, wood products Disagree
Mining, sand and gravel excavation, rock quarries	Mining, sand and gravel excavation, rock quarries Agree	Mining, sand and gravel excavation, rock quarries Neutral	Mining, sand and gravel excavation, rock quarries Disagree
Small scale solar fields	Small scale solar fields Agree	Small scale solar fields Neutral	Small scale solar fields Disagree
Small service-based businesses, retail, or restaurants	Small service-based businesses, retail, or restaurants Agree	Small service-based businesses, retail, or restaurants Neutral	Small service-based businesses, retail, or restaurants Disagree
Continue to allow shopping centers up to 50,000 square feet (as currently allowed under Zoning Bylaw)	Continue to allow shopping centers up to 50,000 square feet (as currently allowed under Zoning Bylaw) Agree	Continue to allow shopping centers up to 50,000 square feet (as currently allowed under Zoning Bylaw) Neutral	Continue to allow shopping centers up to 50,000 square feet (as currently allowed under Zoning Bylaw) Disagree

Other (please specify)

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* 7. Please give your preferences for historic and cultural goals in town

	Agree	Neutral	Disagree
Identify, protect, and promote cultural and historic resources (buildings, landscapes, and Town documents) that are an important part of Westhampton’s identity	Identify, protect, and promote cultural and historic resources (buildings, landscapes, and Town documents) that are an important part of Westhampton’s identity Agree	Identify, protect, and promote cultural and historic resources (buildings, landscapes, and Town documents) that are an important part of Westhampton’s identity Neutral	Identify, protect, and promote cultural and historic resources (buildings, landscapes, and Town documents) that are an important part of Westhampton’s identity Disagree
Support existing and create new town-wide cultural events	Support existing and create new town-wide cultural events Agree	Support existing and create new town-wide cultural events Neutral	Support existing and create new town-wide cultural events Disagree

Other (please specify)

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* 8. Please give your preferences for transportation goals in town.

	Agree	Neutral	Disagree
Provide access to public transportation	Provide access to public transportation Agree	Provide access to public transportation Neutral	Provide access to public transportation Disagree
Identify and implement methods for compliance with posted speed limits	Identify and implement methods for compliance with posted speed limits Agree	Identify and implement methods for compliance with posted speed limits Neutral	Identify and implement methods for compliance with posted speed limits Disagree
Identify and implement ways to improve pedestrian safety	Identify and implement ways to improve pedestrian safety Agree	Identify and implement ways to improve pedestrian safety Neutral	Identify and implement ways to improve pedestrian safety Disagree
Identify and implement ways to improve bicycle safety	Identify and implement ways to improve bicycle safety Agree	Identify and implement ways to improve bicycle safety Neutral	Identify and implement ways to improve bicycle safety Disagree

Other (please specify)

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* 9. Please give your preferences for facilities, infrastructure, and energy goals in town.

	Agree	Neutral	Disagree
Provide adequate facilities for Town services and for employees to safely and efficiently perform their work	Provide adequate facilities for Town services and for employees to safely and efficiently perform their work Agree	Provide adequate facilities for Town services and for employees to safely and efficiently perform their work Neutral	Provide adequate facilities for Town services and for employees to safely and efficiently perform their work Disagree
Stabilize capital expenditures through long term planning	Stabilize capital expenditures through long term planning Agree	Stabilize capital expenditures through long term planning Neutral	Stabilize capital expenditures through long term planning Disagree
Consider shared regional services with surrounding communities where appropriate and cost-effective	Consider shared regional services with surrounding communities where appropriate and cost-effective Agree	Consider shared regional services with surrounding communities where appropriate and cost-effective Neutral	Consider shared regional services with surrounding communities where appropriate and cost-effective Disagree
Ensure resilient/reliable broadband, communication, and electric systems given increasing severe weather events	Ensure resilient/reliable broadband, communication, and electric systems given increasing severe weather events Agree	Ensure resilient/reliable broadband, communication, and electric systems given increasing severe weather events Neutral	Ensure resilient/reliable broadband, communication, and electric systems given increasing severe weather events Disagree
Reduce municipal energy use through conservation, energy efficiency, electric/hybrid vehicles, and installation of renewable energy systems	Reduce municipal energy use through conservation, energy efficiency, electric/hybrid vehicles, and installation of renewable energy systems Agree	Reduce municipal energy use through conservation, energy efficiency, electric/hybrid vehicles, and installation of renewable energy systems Neutral	Reduce municipal energy use through conservation, energy efficiency, electric/hybrid vehicles, and installation of renewable energy systems Disagree
Assist residents/businesses to reduce energy usage through conservation, energy efficiency, electric/hybrid vehicles, and installation of renewable energy systems	Assist residents/businesses to reduce energy usage through conservation, energy efficiency, electric/hybrid vehicles, and installation of renewable energy systems Agree	Assist residents/businesses to reduce energy usage through conservation, energy efficiency, electric/hybrid vehicles, and installation of renewable energy systems Neutral	Assist residents/businesses to reduce energy usage through conservation, energy efficiency, electric/hybrid vehicles, and installation of renewable energy systems Disagree

Other (please specify)

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* 10. Please give your preferences for social and community building goals in town.

	Agree	Neutral	Disagree
Create more ways for residents to meet each other in town	Create more ways for residents to meet each other in town Agree	Create more ways for residents to meet each other in town Neutral	Create more ways for residents to meet each other in town Disagree
It is important for me to remain living in Westhampton as I age	It is important for me to remain living in Westhampton as I age Agree	It is important for me to remain living in Westhampton as I age Neutral	It is important for me to remain living in Westhampton as I age Disagree
It is important that Westhampton be an open and welcoming community	It is important that Westhampton be an open and welcoming community Agree	It is important that Westhampton be an open and welcoming community Neutral	It is important that Westhampton be an open and welcoming community Disagree
It is important to me that all residents and visitors feel safe in town	It is important to me that all residents and visitors feel safe in town Agree	It is important to me that all residents and visitors feel safe in town Neutral	It is important to me that all residents and visitors feel safe in town Disagree
Create a community center or public space where youth or adults can gather	Create a community center or public space where youth or adults can gather Agree	Create a community center or public space where youth or adults can gather Neutral	Create a community center or public space where youth or adults can gather Disagree
Create more opportunities for youth to meet each other in town through events and programs	Create more opportunities for youth to meet each other in town through events and programs Agree	Create more opportunities for youth to meet each other in town through events and programs Neutral	Create more opportunities for youth to meet each other in town through events and programs Disagree
Create more opportunities for youth to participate in community activities and leadership such as the Good Works Group, assisting with community projects, or other areas of interest to youth	Create more opportunities for youth to participate in community activities and leadership such as the Good Works Group, assisting with community projects, or other areas of interest to youth Agree	Create more opportunities for youth to participate in community activities and leadership such as the Good Works Group, assisting with community projects, or other areas of interest to youth Neutral	Create more opportunities for youth to participate in community activities and leadership such as the Good Works Group, assisting with community projects, or other areas of interest to youth Disagree
Create ways for residents to learn more about and engage with each other around differences (age, ability, ethnicity/race, gender/sexual identity, income, political viewpoint) and create opportunities to engage with people of different backgrounds	Create ways for residents to learn more about and engage with each other around differences (age, ability, ethnicity/race, gender/sexual identity, income, political viewpoint) and create opportunities to engage with people of different backgrounds Agree	Create ways for residents to learn more about and engage with each other around differences (age, ability, ethnicity/race, gender/sexual identity, income, political viewpoint) and create opportunities to engage with people of different backgrounds Neutral	Create ways for residents to learn more about and engage with each other around differences (age, ability, ethnicity/race, gender/sexual identity, income, political viewpoint) and create opportunities to engage with people of different backgrounds Disagree

Other (please specify)

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* 11. What more would you like to know about climate change? (Check all that apply, write-ins encouraged).

How might climate change affect my property and what can I do to prepare

What nature-based solutions are available to mitigate climate impacts in Westhampton

Which areas of Town are vulnerable to flooding, erosion, or storm damage

What emergency response measures should I know about for severe weather, pandemic, or other emergency event

What resources are available to improve my understanding about the impacts of climate change, severe weather risks, or impacts to the natural world

Other (please specify)

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* 12. Which of the following climate related/severe weather impacts are you concerned about in Westhampton? (Check all that apply).

Impacts of severe weather and climate (flooding, strong winds, winter storms, extreme precipitation, extreme heat)

Heat related illness

Increased energy costs

Loss of electricity or internet service

Inability to get to work or other locations due to severe weather

Damage to property due to severe weather events

Drought conditions

Wildfires

Invasive species (plant and animal)

Vector-borne disease (e.g., carried by ticks and mosquitoes)

Other (please specify)

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* 13. What changes or improvements do you think the Town should consider to address climate change and climate resiliency in Westhampton? (Check all that apply)

Replace culverts with larger culverts sized to prevent road damages in bigger storms and allow fish and wildlife passage

Integrate green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in municipal and private projects to improve storm water management, prevent flooding/erosion, and reduce heat impacts

Develop shelters for extreme heat events or storm-related emergencies

Implement a municipal tree planting and tree replacement program

Create town-owned renewable power sources (solar, wind, geothermal)

Provide charging station(s) for electric vehicles

Acquire land to protect: floodplains/wetlands that store water during storm events; forests that help moderate temperatures, absorb carbon dioxide, and reduce storm impacts; farmland soils that store carbon and mitigate climate impacts

Expand recycling and waste reduction programs

Provide information on best practices to reverse climate change impacts and promote resiliency that can be adopted by households and businesses

Other (please specify)

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* 14. Any other input or ideas you would like to share about the future of Westhampton?

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* 15. What is your age?

Under 18

18-24

25-44

45-64

65+

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* 16. How many people in your household are in each age group, including yourself?

18-24

25-44

45-65

65+

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* 17. How many years have you lived in Westhampton?

Less than 5 years

5 to 15 years

15+ years

I don't live in Town

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* 18. Do you own property in Westhampton?

Yes

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* 19. If you do own property in Westhampton:

How many acres do you own?

How many homes do you own?

How many years have you owned property in Westhampton?

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* 20. Does your home have air conditioning?

Yes

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* 21. Does your home have a back-up heat source?

Yes

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* 22. If you would like to get more involved or would like us to follow up with you about your comments, please provide your contact information:

Name

Email Address

Phone Number