Western Worcester County Wants To Stay Rural
Residents of western Worcester County want rural Massachusetts to stay that way, according to a planning meeting Wednesday.
Nearly 24,000 acres of working farmland and water resources have been identified as preservation priorities, according to a Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission study. At the same time, less than 7,000 acres in the 11 towns stretching from Princeton to Warren are well-suited for development, residents and municipal officials claimed.
The core areas residents want to see developed: the village centers and the underutilized mills in Barre, Hardwick and Warren, according to the commission’s principal planner, Trish Settles.
Another priority identified by residents is improving information technology infrastructure, particularly broadband access. While fiber-optic systems exist in parts of 8 of the 11 towns, Settles said better connectivity would allow farmers to market produce from their homes rather than having to drive to farmers markets in Worcester. More connectivity would also make the region more appealing to telecommuters, Settles said.
The commission is expected to release its final report on priorities for western Worcester County in December.
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