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25 <br /> Ms. Rich said she would like to see a unified message, even if it is we're studying it. Mr. Stevens <br /> said the town can help manage expectations and reference the connectivity plan. <br /> Ms. Chotas asked if in terms of next steps the group wanted to set any action steps around <br /> sending a unified message. Ms. Rich asked if the town was still hearing concerns from parents. <br /> Ms. Weaver said the concerns have died down, but the issue will keep coming up and it will be <br /> helpful to say the county is doing a study. She expressed how everyone has been been trying to <br /> stay consistent about who can do what and who is responsible for what even though that can <br /> come across as "it's not us, it's them —we don't really care." Reflecting her own perspective, <br /> she said she's been saying it's a failure of government to keep people safe by not funding big <br /> projects like this and not attributing particular responsibility to the county. <br /> Ms. Hauth emphasized the need to take these considerations into account the next time a <br /> school is being built. Hindsight being 20/20, that wasn't a great place to put a high school, <br /> though there must have been reasons for the school siting. From this perspective, she <br /> continued, it wasn't a great choice. <br /> Ms. Hammersley said she will keep Mr. Peterson informed when the RFP goes out, noting she is <br /> anticipating a 3-6 month study. Ms. Hauth wondered about putting the town and county public <br /> communication officers preparing a joint statement for the future when it's needed, such as <br /> when RFP goes out. Mr. Peterson emphasized from a climate change perspective more <br /> connectivity will be important. <br /> Mr. Stevens offered a success example—the sidewalk section along the Visitor's Center to the <br /> school, which filled in the missing link. The county funded it and the town took over the <br /> maintenance. <br /> Event management coordination (town/county; courthouse/park) <br /> Ms. Rich asked for more information about what's involved with the topic. From a tourism <br /> point of view, Mr. Stevens responded, coordinating with the county can be complicated. He <br /> suggested it seemed like the town and county could do a better job of coordinating. Ms. Hauth <br /> added the town has a special permit process for events on public or private property so town <br /> services are cued in and they know there will be a crowd. The town requires the property <br /> owner being ok with the events happening on their property and most events are on county <br /> property. The county has its own process rightfully to vet the request. The process is <br /> convoluted, she said, and nonprofits aren't used to it. She wondered if there is a possibility to <br /> streamline the process. <br /> Ms. Hammersley explained River Park is under Parks and Rec and the Courthouse is under asset <br /> management because they're in charge of county facilities. Ms. Price interjected the <br /> importance of coordinating so the town knows what to expect with events. Ms. Hammersley <br /> responded she would talk with both department directors to see what can be done. <br /> Ms. Hauth reflected on special circumstances of serving alcohol and how the town works with <br /> law enforcement to prevent underage drinking. The town gets a fair amount of feedback about <br /> Hillsborough Work Group, October 2019, Page 8 <br />