Douglas Master Plan Committee Approves Three Chapters, Sets September Completion Deadline

Other Committee · Meeting of July 29, 2026

Douglas Master Plan Committee votes to approve four draft chapters in single session. The committee, chaired by Rich Preston, cleared the town services and facilities, transportation and circulation, open space and recreation, and natural, cultural, and historic resources chapters at its July 29 meeting, each approved as amended by unanimous voice vote. Member Bob Vian reported the $115,000 CMRPC grant is nearly closed with one payment pending, and said the committee "cannot afford to extend" work past September.

Key editorial corrections included removing repeated references to "East Douglas" in favor of "downtown Douglas," clarifying that the highway department assists — rather than leads — water main emergency response, and correcting a pump house address from 14 Main Street to 104 Main Street. Members also removed a bullet point about Rhode Island tolls from a community voices section after confirming the tolls were never implemented. A draft letter to the community from the committee and Planning Board was deferred to the August meeting for revision.

In the full story:

• Town Services and Facilities Chapter (Pages 46-80)
• Transportation and Circulation Chapter (Pages 81-104)
• Open Space and Recreation Chapter
• Natural, Cultural, and Historic Resources Element
• Letter to the Community
• Riverwalk Update and Other Business
• The complete report — 2,760 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of July 29, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.