Bradford residents selected three priorities for future action. To join one or more task groups, contact Peter Mallary, Bradford Community Visit Chair, at peter@itsclassified.com. Anyone is welcome to Join a Task Force and help the future of the town!
Advance Resiliency, Sustainability, Alternative Energy, and Agriculture
A task force could form to identify and implement initiatives to improve Bradford resiliency. The group could identify strategies to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support the adoption of alternative, and local, energy sources. Additionally, the group could focus on strategies to improve food access, soil health, and agriculture in the community.
Improve and Expand Recreational Facilities and Programming – and Build a Skate Park
A Task Force could form, with representation from Bradford recreation and youth committees, to inventory recreation needs and develop a strategy to improve current facilities as well as expand recreation opportunities that could include a recreational center, an indoor pool, youth and adult sports leagues, a dog park or other facility needs. With this initiative, the community could look for funding that would support a full-time recreation director to lead facility improvements and programming and build unity between groups focused on recreation. The task force could partner with local youth, recreation leaders, and the schools to initiative the design and building of a skate park that would create a safe, fun, and welcoming “hang out spot” for youth in the community.
Boost Town Capacity
A task force could come together to evaluate models for building Town staffing capacity to drive community and economic development, housing, communications and other initiatives. This could include evaluating a Town Manager model, planning for a full time Town Administrator, or finding resources to hire an Economic Development Officer who could help to build unity, support Select Board leadership, and pro-actively help to advance Town and community projects and initiatives. ARPA funds could be a starting point, and building this capacity could help Bradford capture its share of state and federal recovery dollars in the pipeline.