LYNN — Vision Lynn, the city’s comprehensive plan centered around infrastructure, land use and a 20-year vision for the city, now has an official Steering Committee.
The City of Lynn Planning Department announced on Friday that the Steering Committee is mostly made up of community members, but will also be joined by Planning Board Chair Bob Stilian and two city councilors, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Tutwiler, and City Hall staff members that will include Director of Elder Services Christopher Gomez-Farewell and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator Faustina Cuevas.
Representatives from Mayor Jared Nicholson’s team; Elizabeth Rosario, outreach coordinator for the Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development (LHAND); and Bill Bochnak, project coordinator for the Economic Development & Industrial Corporation of Lynn (EDIC/Lynn) will also serve on the committee. The committee members from Nicholson’s team and the two city councilors will be announced at a later date.
The committee is made up of a unique and diverse group of people. In total, committee members speak 11 different languages, and a majority of members identify as people of color. Committee members are part of the LGBQTIA+ community, foreign-born, lifelong Lynn residents, youth, parents, and elders.
Nicholson said the selection process included community involvement and responses from residents.
“Throughout our campaign, we heard from thousands of residents about their hopes and concerns for the future of Lynn,” said Nicholson. “Vision Lynn will be an important way to turn these sentiments into policy and action and ensure that City Hall is doing the work that matters most to Lynners.”
Aaron Clausen, the city’s principal planning director, said the biggest concern residents have is about the city’s central infrastructure. He said infrastructure will play a major role in wide-range discussions and the committee will listen to these concerns.
“In terms of concerns, respondents were pretty clear about what they wanted from the city: improvements to key infrastructure like streets and stormwater systems, investments in our school buildings and staff, and a government that is fiscally responsible, transparent, and reflective of the community,” said Clausen. “We hope Vision Lynn can play a role in moving key priorities like these forward.”
The establishment of the Steering Committee is the first step of Vision Lynn’s three-year timeline initiated under former Mayor Thomas M. McGee’s administration in 2021.
McGee said he is proud of the new committee, but said transparency must play a role in how it functions.
“We have been able to put together a diverse, talented Steering Committee with deep community ties,” said McGee. “But we will need to remain focused to create a transparent and inclusive process that is open to all corners of the Lynn community.”
Over the next two years, the committee will focus on drafting a plan for the city and establish a mission statement for what Lynn will look like 20 years from now.
The committee will meet throughout 2022, and will hold public meetings, small forums and collaborations with businesses and community groups.
In early 2023, the committee hopes to draft a comprehensive plan and seek approval from the Planning Board and an endorsement from the City Council.
Community members who will also serve on the Steering Committee are as follows: Bruno Eusebio, Christina Luca, Cleo Hereford, Debbie Parris, Diana Cherubin, Dylan Cashman, Elizabeth Figueroa, Gildardo Alzate, Gordon R. Hall, Hugo A. Carvajal, Joe Scianatico, Jonathon Feinberg, Jordan T. Avery, Joseph Furnari, Josilane Santos, Kurt Lange, Lauren Hogan, Layheab Ly, Ludia Modi, Magalie Rowe, Natasha Soolkin, Sylvia Odiana, Tanveer Malik, Teri Krawitz and Tia Cole.
