Regional planning group salutes Westport's James Whitin

Posted 6/19/19

The Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) recently chose James T. Whitin, chairman of the Westport Planning Board, as its 2019 Commissioner of the Year.

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Regional planning group salutes Westport's James Whitin

Posted

The Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) recently chose James T. Whitin, chairman of the Westport Planning Board, as its 2019 Commissioner of the Year.

The honor, given at the organization’s annual meeting in Middleborough, goes to a SPREDD Commission member for recent contributions and/or the advance of regionalism over the past year.

Mr. Whitin was nominated by Westport Selectman Steven Ouellette who wrote:

“Jim Whitin has served as the Westport Planning Board’s Representative to SRPEDD as Commissioner for over a decade.  He has been a huge proponent for environmental concerns, forming the South Coast Climate Change Coalition to address vital climate change issues and promote remedial initiatives in our region.

He has been the Chair of the Westport Planning Board for almost 10 years and has led the way in transforming the Planning Board into one of the most effective town agencies in protecting and shaping the community in ways that both help to protect the environment and respond to public preferences.

He has been the Chair of the Advocacy Committee of the Westport River Watershed Alliance for over a decade and has helped to formulate and express the interests of that organization in many instances that promoted not only the health of the Westport River but also the best interests of the town and the region.

Jim’s dedication to the SRPEED Commission’s charter is evident from his service on many committees within SRPEDD such as the Finance, Personnel, Transportation and Awards committees, to name a few.  Jim was instrumental in the role SRPEDD played in creating for the Town of Westport the Priority Protection and Priority Development Plan; the Route 177 Economic Development Study; Central Village Guidelines, the LID Bylaw and Rules & Regulations as well as a few DLTA Awards that directly impacted Westport such as the Housing Production Plan and the Open Space and Recreation Plan.

If there is one certainty it is that Jim has been the best representative not just for Westport, but on a wider scale for the region surrounding his town and he has worked hard to galvanize the elements for the benefit of all.”

SRPEDD is governed by a 52-person commission composed of Select and Planning Board appointees. Chartered in 1968, and today one of 13 regional planning agencies across the state, the organization provides a broad range of planning-related services and technical assistance to four member cities and twenty-three towns.

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