The following is a breakdown of the Master Plan recommendations for each municipal department, board, commission and committee. The Planning Board and Board of Selectmen should work with the Town’s departments and volunteer boards to prioritize the recommendations into a multi-year work plan.

1. Develop a prioritized, multi-year, town-wide roadway improvement program. (Transportation Recommendation #1 and Town Government Recommendation #1)

2. Address the Town’s problem intersections. The first priority here is obviously the Route 12/197 intersection. (Transportation Recommendation #2)

3. Address the Town’s structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridges. (Transportation Recommendation #3)

4. Prepare a sidewalk improvement plan. (Transportation Recommendation #4)

5. Address the pedestrian safety issues at Intermediate School Site. Other entities to work with on this item: Dudley Little League and Police Department. (Transportation Recommendation #5)

6. Continue the Town’s membership in the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) and support its efforts to provide public transportation alternatives on a regional scale. Other entities to work with on this item: Dudley’s representatives to the WRTA. (Transportation Recommendation #6 & Natural Features Recommendation #6)

7. Ensure that utility companies who dig up town-maintained roads for the placement of their utility lines incur the full cost of repairing the roadway to its previous condition. (Transportation Recommendation #8)

8. Prepare an "official town map" as defined in Section 81-E, Chapter 41 of the Massachusetts General Laws. (Town Government Recommendation #2)

9. Consider establishing a Town Government Charter Commission to investigate options for re-organizing town government with an eye towards improving accountability and inter-departmental coordination, eliminating duplications of service, and streamlining the local bureaucracy in general. Other entities to work with on this item: Town Administrator. (Town Government Recommendation #10)

10. Establish a local economic development committee to coordinate all of the various elements of an economic development strategy for Dudley. (Town Government Recommendation #11 and Economic Development Recommendation #7)

11. Change the Town Meeting date to a Saturday in order to increase public participation, especially among seniors. Other entities to work with on this item: Town Clerk and Town Moderator. (Town Government Recommendation #12)

12. Institute a secret ballot approach to warrant articles at the Town Meetings, as opposed to the current show of hands method. Other entities to work with on this item: Town Clerk and Town Moderator. (Town Government Recommendation #13)

13. Investigate its options for increasing its recycling program and solid waste disposal services, including holding the household hazardous waste disposal days on a more frequent basis. (Town Government Recommendation #14)

14. Lobby Dudley’s representatives to the State Legislature in support of purchasing the abandoned Southbridge Branch rail line, owned by the P&W Railroad, for use as a recreational trail. Other entities to work with on this item: Conservation Commission. (Open Space and Recreation Recommendation #7)

15. Proactively examine Dudley’s housing stock and work with property owners to identify needed improvements. Other entities to work with on this item: Building Inspector. (Housing Recommendation #5)

16. Review the Town’s options for providing low and moderate-income housing and make every effort to see that 10% of Dudley’s housing stock consists of low and moderate-income housing. The Board of Selectmen may opt to establish a local housing needs committee to assist in this effort. (Housing Recommendation #6)

17. Continue utilizing the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program to create/retain jobs in Town, and stimulate the local economy. Other entities to work with on this item: Town Administrator. (Economic Development Recommendation #1)

18. Continue to clean up the Town’s "brownfields", whether these properties are Town-owned or under private ownership. Other entities to work with on this item: Town Administrator. (Economic Development Recommendation #2)

19. Strengthen Dudley’s ties with the Dudley-Oxford-Charlton Chamber of Commerce. Other entities to work with on this item: Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator. This could also be one of the duties of a local economic development committee. (Economic Development Recommendation #3)

20. Take advantage of the economic development opportunity presented by the recent expansion of the Quinebaug-Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor, whether on its own or in conjunction with the other eight Massachusetts communities now included in the project area. Other entities to work with on this item: Town Administrator and Historical Commission. This could also be one of the duties of a local economic development committee. (Economic Development Recommendation #4)

21. Rename West Main Street to simply "Main Street. (Land Use Recommendation #1)

22. Pursue the "scenic road" designation for some of its more rural roads in the north and west sections of Dudley. (Open Space and Recreation Recommendation #13)

1. Implement the future land use plan.

2. Amend the Subdivision Regulations to require detailed stormwater management plans and erosion control plans as part of submitting a Definitive Subdivision Plan for review by the Planning Board. Other entities to work with on this item: Highway Superintendent. (Housing Recommendation #3 and Natural Features Recommendation #2)

3. Amend the Zoning By-Law to give the Planning Board the power to require conservation easements for large-scale residential and industrial development proposals that have frontage on the French and Quinebaug Rivers. (Open Space and Recreation Recommendation #6)

4. Amend the Zoning By-Law to remove residential development as a use by right in any industrial zoning district. (Housing Recommendation #1 and Economic Development Recommendation #5)

5. Amend the Zoning By-Law to treat private stables in the residential zoning districts the same way as raising livestock. Other entities to work with on this item: Zoning Board of Appeals and Code Enforcement Officer. (Housing Recommendation #2)

6. Establish a Technical Review Community (TRC) to review large-scale development plans either through implementing a site plan review process or through the current building permit process. Other entities to work with on this item: Board of Selectmen and all applicable municipal departments. (Housing Recommendation #4, Economic Development Recommendation #8, and Land Use Recommendation #3)

7. Review the cluster housing by-law to determine why it has never been used, and should take steps to identify and correct any problems with the by-law. (Housing Recommendation #9 and Land Use Recommendation #4)

8. Amend the Zoning By-Law to allow for the municipal review of major residential development proposals, that is, multiple lots (five or more) being created along the frontage of an existing Town road. (Housing Recommendation #10 and Land Use Recommendation #5)

9. Amend the Zoning By-Law to give the Planning Board more power to review how a site gets developed. Essentially, the Planning Board needs to institute a "site plan review" process. (Land Use Recommendation #2)

10. Investigate the Town’s options for allowing backland development. Other entities to work with on this item: Zoning Board of Appeals. (Land Use Recommendation #6)

11. Adopt a telecommunications by-law so that the Town can regulate investigate the placement of cell towers. (Land Use Recommendation #7)

1. Investigate the Town’s options for dealing with the aquatic weed problem that has affected Dudley’s ponds, and develop a prioritized list of ponds for remediation. Other entities to work with on this item: Board of Selectmen. (Natural Features Recommendation #1)

2. Consider supporting an organization of interested citizens (or school groups) willing to participate in an annual water quality monitoring program. (Natural Features Recommendation #4)

3. Investigate the Town’s options for protecting its "Prime Farmlands" as designated by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Other entities to work with on this item: Dudley Land Trust. (Natural Features Recommendation #5)

4. Stringently enforce the provisions of the State’s River Protection Act, particularly along the undisturbed portions of the Quinebaug River. (Natural Features Recommendation #7)

5. Create more open space for hiking/biking and focus such efforts on western Dudley, and along the banks of its two major rivers. (Open Space and Recreation Recommendation #1)

6. Update the Open Space and Recreation Plan of March 1988. Other entities to work with on this item: Recreation Commission. (Open Space and Recreation Recommendation #3)

7. Work with owners of environmentally sensitive properties to protect these resources through the various land protection programs offered by the State. Other entities to work with on this matter: Dudley Land Trust. (Natural Features Recommendation #3)

8. Have the regional USDA office work with Dudley’s active farmers on smart farming practices, such as: enclosed manure storage facilities and low impact fertilization techniques. Other entities to work with on this item: Dudley Grange. (Natural Features Recommendation #3)

9. Encourage Dudley’s active farmers to protect their land under the State’s Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture (DFA). Other entities to work with on this item: Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals. (Open Space and Recreation Recommendation #8)

10. Encourage Dudley’s active farmers to participate in the Farm Viability Enhancement Program offered by the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture (DFA). Other entities to work with on this item: Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals. (Open Space and Recreation Recommendation #9)

1. Ensure that home addition/renovation plans are reviewed by the Health Department prior to issuing a building permit for said expansion. Other entities to work with on this item: Health Department. (Town Government Recommendation #4)

2. Establish a centralized permitting/inspection/code enforcement department. Other entities to work with on this item: Board of Selectmen, Planning Board and Dudley’s various inspectors. (Town Government Recommendation #3)

1. Have household hazardous waste education pamphlets available at the Town Hall. (Natural Features Recommendation #3)

2. Have pamphlets on the proper maintenance of septic systems/ leachfields available at the Town Hall. (Natural Features Recommendation #3)

3. Do more to publicize its Community Septic Management Program. A special outreach effort should be targeted to those property owners with land along Dudley’s numerous ponds. (Housing Recommendation #8)

1. Reduce the amount of road salt used within the groundwater contribution areas of Dudley’s three municipal wells. (Natural Feature Recommendation #3)

1. Participate in any regional or inter-community household hazardous waste collection day, or sponsoring such a day on its own. (Natural Feature Recommendation #3)

1. Investigate its options for finding a new water supply source. Other entities to work with on this item: Board of Selectmen. (Town Government Recommendation #6 and Economic Development Recommendation #6)

2. Investigate its long-term options for managing the municipal water system. Other entities to work with on this item: Board of Selectmen. (Town Government Recommendation #7)

3. Prevent all further development of the woodland it owns within the Town Beach Conservation District. Other entities to work with on this item: the Department, Board of Selectmen, Recreation Commission and Conservation Commission to protect this area. (Open Space and Recreation Recommendation #11)

1. Establish a long-range capital planning committee and charge them with the responsibility of preparing a long-range Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for the Town. Other entities to work with on this item: Board of Selectmen. (Town Government Recommendation #8)

2. Establish a building needs committee to comprehensively review the building and space needs of Dudley’s various municipal departments. Other entities to work with on this item: Board of Selectmen. (Town Government Recommendation #9)

1. Take advantage of the recreation funding opportunities offered by the Quinebaug-Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor. Other entities to work with on this item: Conservation Commission. (Open Space and Recreation Recommendation #4)

2. Put together a brochure that outlines what the Town has for recreation programs/facilities and have them available at the Town Hall. Other entities to work with on this item: Conservation Commission. (Open Space and Recreation Recommendation #5)

3. Acquire land for, and develop additional active recreation facilities. (Open Space and Recreation Recommendation #2)

4. Designate Perryville Road and its bridge as a trail for walking and biking. Other entities to work with on this item: the Board of Selectmen. (Open Space and Recreation Recommendation #12)

1. Obtain training on how to deal with Special Permits as they relate to low/moderate income housing projects as defined by Chapter 40-B of Massachusetts General Laws. (Housing Recommendation #7)

2. Investigate the Town’s options for allowing very small-scale commercial uses in its residential districts by Special Permit. Other entities to work with on this item: Planning Board. (Land Use Recommendation #8)

1. Continue implementing the Town’s information management plan. Other entities to work with on this item: Information Technology Committee. (Town Government Recommendation #5)

1. Influence local cable companies and telecommunication firms to provide access to high speed data and networking technologies in preparation for existing and new businesses that may want to take advantage of these technologies. Other entities to work with on this item: Town Administrator. (Economic Development Recommendation #9)

1. Update the Town’s Historical Survey and then pursue historic district designations for some of Dudley’s more historic areas, such as Dudley Center and some of the Town’s older cemeteries. Other entities to work with on this item: Planning Board. (Open Space and Recreation Recommendation #10)

1. Continue Dudley’s membership in the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) and support its efforts to provide public transportation alternatives on a regional scale. Other entities to work with on this item: Board of Selectmen. (Transportation Recommendation #6)

2. Continue to brief the Board of Selectmen on regional transportation projects and issues that may have relevance to Dudley. (Transportation Recommendation #7)