Town of Spencer Master Plan Adopted in 2025
The Town of Spencer reached an important milestone on September 16, 2025, with the Planning Board’s adoption of its 2025 Master Plan.
Funded through the Rural and Small Town Development Fund and strongly informed by resident input through a Community Survey and two well-attended workshops, this plan updates the community’s 2003 vision.
Spencer residents placed strong emphasis on energy and the environment. In response, the plan includes a dedicated additional chapter on this subject, supported by additional funding through a District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) grant.
The plan focuses on downtown revitalization, economic development, maintaining a family-friendly environment, protecting open space and wildlife, and strengthening town services. With approximately 175 action items, the plan gives decision-makers clear next steps. Developed with CMRPC’s guidance, the 2025 Master Plan positions Spencer to preserve its rural character while embracing new opportunities for growth and community well-being.
What is a Master Plan?
A Master Plan is a comprehensive community plan that explores important topics such as land use, natural resources, economic development, housing, transportation, and other themes.
Through the planning process, a town assesses its challenges and opportunities and collects input from the community. Once written, a Master Plan lays out a vision and strategies for the community to achieve its goals.
Master plans require periodic updates. Issues, challenges, and residents’ preferences can change significantly over 10-20 years, which is the typical horizon for a master plan.
How does a Master Plan help Spencer?
A Master Plan helps a community
- Manage growth and change
- Provide for orderly and predictable development
- Protect environmental resources
- Set priorities for developing and maintaining infrastructure and public facilities
- Strengthen local identity
- Create a framework for future policy decisions
- Promote open, democratic planning
- Provide guidance to landowners, developers, and permitting authorities
Master Plan Steering Committee
The Spencer Master Plan Steering Committee worked tirelessly on the Spencer Master Plan. Their community expertise, guidance, and leadership was instrumental in the completion of the 2025 Spencer Master Plan
- Taylor Wentworth, Chair, Community Member
- Jared Grigg, Vice Chair, Board of Selectmen Appointee
- Dennis Shiver, Clerk, Community Member
- Carol McPherson, Community Member
- Howie Letendre, Community Member
- Steve Carey, Community Member
- Vaughn Slack, Planning Board Appointee
- Lauren Vivier, Town Planner/Conservation Agent, Ex-Officio
- Jeff Bridges, Town Administrator, Ex-Officio
Master Plan Community Workshops
