REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS-DEVELOPMENT OF MASTER PLAN UPDATE
| Location: | Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Posted: | Jan 9, 2026 |
| Due: | Feb 9, 2026 |
| Agency: | Town of Shrewsbury |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
| Bid Title: |
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS-DEVELOPMENT OF MASTER PLAN UPDATE
|
| Category: | Planning and Economic Development |
| Status: | Open |
|
Attachment Preview
TOWN OF SHREWSBURY
Request for Proposals
for the
Development of a Comprehensive Master Plan Update
PROPOSALS DUE:
1:00 PM on February 9, 2026
Deliver to Office of the Town Manager
100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Electronic submissions to jgoodwin@ShrewsburyMA.gov
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Table of Contents
1. Project Overview………………………………………………………………………….…….3
1. Purpose………...………………………………………………………………………….…3
2. Objectives …………………………………………………………………………….……..3
3. Background……..……………………………………………………………...…….………4
4. Scope of Services…………………………………………………………………………….6
5. Deliverables……………………………………………………………………………...….13
6. Staff Role …………………………………………………………………………………...14
7. Project Timeframe…………………………………………………………………………..14
8. Project Budget………………………………………………………………………..……..14
9. Consultant Qualifications…………………………………………………………...………14
2. Procurement Process……………………………………………………………………….….16
1. Schedule of Events………………………………………………………………………….16
2. Questions & Answers…………………………………………….………………………....16
3. Examination of Contract Documents…….…………………………………………………16
4. Submission of Proposals…………………………………………………...…………...…..17
5. Signing of Proposals………………………………………………………………………..17
6. Administrative/Compliance Review………………………………………………………..17
7. Evaluation……………………..…………………………………………………………... 17
8. Comparative Evaluation Criteria…………………………………………………………...18
9. Award……………………………………………………………………………………….20
3. Response Requirements……………………………………...……………………………..…21
1. Preparing a Response ……………………………………………………………………....21
2. Packaging the Response ………………………………………….…………………………21
3. Copies Required/Form of Electronic Submission …………………….…………………….22
4. Technical Proposal Requirements ………………………………………………………….22
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5. Price Proposal Requirements ………………...……………..……………………………..24
4. Appendices ………………..………………………………………………………………….25
1. Statement of Tax Compliance Form - MGL Ch. 62C, Sec. 49A…….……………….…...25
2. Certificate of Non-Collusion Form...……………………………………………………...25
3. Sample Agreement ………………………………………………………………….…….26
1. Project Overview
1. Purpose
The Town of Shrewsbury (hereinafter referred to as “the Town”) seeks proposals from
professional planning consultants to prepare a Town wide Master Plan Update with
community participation which shall include a review of the Town's existing Zoning
Bylaws and regulations in order to incorporate the goals of the Master Plan. Shrewsbury
has not undertaken a Comprehensive Master Plan Update process as described in MGL
Chapter 41 Section 81D, since 2016. The Master Plan Update is expected to take
approximately one year, with a planning horizon of ten to fifteen years, and will provide
a basis for decision-making about land use planning and redevelopment, budget
preparation and capital improvement planning for public facilities and services and
economic development for the Town of Shrewsbury's future.
2. Objectives
The Master Plan Update will meet the following objectives:
• Proceed with a maximum amount of community involvement and public
participation.
• Establish consistency regarding the goals, vision and aspirations of the community.
• Recognize the unique history, attributes and needs of Shrewsbury.
• Build on existing plans, studies and reports such as the Town’s Strategic Plan.
Accordingly, the following documents shall be made available to all prospective
proposers upon request via email to Christopher McGoldrick, Director of Planning
and Economic Development, at cmcgoldrick@shrewsburyma.gov.
● Town of Shrewsbury Strategic Action Plan
● Shrewsbury Master Plan – March 2016
● Open Space and Recreation Plan – June 2020
● Housing Production Plan – February 2013
● Cemetery Master Plan
● Zoning Bylaw Town of Shrewsbury, MA, updated through June 2021
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● Planning Board Subdivision Rules and Regulations, updated through August 2010
● Planning Board Special Permit and Site Plan Rules and Regulations, September
2017
● 43D Rules and Regulations
● Inclusionary Housing Submission Requirements, Procedures and Supplemental
Regulations
● Rules and Regulations of the Zoning Board of Appeals, updated through February
2012
● Municipal Climate Action and Resiliency Plan
● Annual Town Reports
● Lakeway Business Improvement District Feasibility Study
● Town Center Business Improvement District Feasibility Study
● Hazard Mitigation Plan Update (2026)
● DLTA Buildout Analysis Phase I and Phase II
● Transit Feasibility Study (2026)
● Town Wide Economic Plan (2026)
● Various other town plans and maps
• Coordinate with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and other regional plans.
3. Background
The Town of Shrewsbury was incorporated on December 15, 1727. A series of land grants
beginning in 1664 initiated the town’s early settlement. The 3,200-acre grant called Haynes
Farm (also known as Quinsigamond Farm) was the largest. The original area of
Shrewsbury was considerably larger than the Town today, stretching from Lancaster in the
north to Sutton in the south, and incorporating Worcester to the west and Marlborough to
the east.
From the beginning, the Town was fortunate in that it had a superior transportation
network. The Connecticut Path (Main Street) was originally laid out in 1683 as a path
connecting Boston to the Connecticut River towns. Holden Street was used even prior to
the Revolutionary War and served as a country road connecting the town with
Northampton. This road was part of the route that connected Boston with Vermont for
many years. South Street provided access to sites on the Westborough border. The Boston
Turnpike (Route 9) was completed in 1808 and originally crossed Lake Quinsigamond on
a floating bridge.
Original development in Shrewsbury was centered in several areas. The largest was around
what is still the town center at Main and Boylston Streets. There were other settlements
around Straw Hollow in the northeast part of town and around present day Holden and
Sewall Streets in the northwest part of town.
The development of streetcar routes in the 19th century spurred the growth of single-
family housing development in town and a summer resort population on Lake
Quinsigamond whose residents bought garden market produce grown by local farmers. As
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Shrewsbury’s industry suffered from the lack of large waterpower sites and the tardy arrival
of rail, its role as a suburb of Worcester grew more important. The residential development
of Lake Quinsigamond’s shores further preempted the Town’s opportunities for industrial
development. The Town’s population doubled from 1915 to 1940 as continued streetcar
growth brought more modern settlers into the community. The greatest growth occurred
between 1920 and 1925 when the population increased by 2,111, or more than 50%. Other
modern developments included an increased number of lakeside cottages, ethnic clubs and
recreational areas on the lake.
The Town is governed by a five-member Select Board and Representative Town Meeting.
Daily management is vested in a Town Manager appointment by the Select Board.
Planning and development is controlled by Massachusetts General Laws, the Shrewsbury
Select Board Town Manager Act, the Town Bylaws and the Shrewsbury Zoning Bylaw.
The five member Planning Board is appointed by the Town Manager. The seven member
Shrewsbury Development Corporation is appointed by the Select Board. The five member
Zoning Board of Appeals is appointed by the Select Board. Both the Planning Board and
the Zoning Board of Appeals act as special permit granting authorities as designated by the
Zoning Bylaw.
The Town has strong fiscal management and operates with a balanced budget. Shrewsbury
is a largely built out community, but has opportunities for commercial and industrial
development. An update of the Master Plan is a critical component of a successful way
forward for the Town.
Shrewsbury has six 6 elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. The
new Beal Elementary School was constructed in Fall 2021, moving from the old Town
Center locations which has subsequently been permitted for redevelopment into a mixed
use design, retaining open space amenities for future revisioning.
Shrewsbury has 1,101 subsidized housing units, a total of 7.14% of its year round housing
stock. Approval of approximately 550 additional affordable units are anticipated through
2026. The Town completed a State approved Housing Production Plan in 2024.
Shrewsbury has had inclusionary zoning since 2005.
The Town updated and completed its Open Space and Recreation Plan in 2020. The Plan
was approved by the Department of Conservation Services on September 24, 2021. Since
that time, several action items have been accomplished that were identified in the plan,
including the creation of a Trails Committee.
Shrewsbury is serviced by its own water system and shares a wastewater treatment plant
with the Towns of Westborough and Hopkinton, with additional capacity via the Upper
Blackstone. The majority of the Town is serviced by municipal water and sewer, however,
there is a restriction on sewer extensions to some areas of the community generally defined
by the local Needs Areas.
In its Municipal Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, the Town committed to optimizing
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