New England Regional Biosafety Laboratory Grafton Community Advisory Group
Since June 2006, Tufts—recognizing the importance of community involvement in successful campus growth management—has convened and supported a Grafton Community Advisory Group (GCAG) for regular public discussion of all matters of concern between the school and the Grafton community. It is Tufts' key connection to its neighbors, creating a regular opportunity for open dialogue between the campus and community. It is intended to provide a frequent, regular opportunity for the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine administration to inform the community about the school's activities, and for area residents to convey concerns and input.
The GCAG is comprised of Grafton residents, municipal officials, civic leaders, and Cummings School representatives. The GCAG is a relatively informal, advisory group that hosts regular meetings. Meetings are open to anyone who would like to attend. Group meetings are co-chaired by one representative from the school and one from Grafton.
The GCAG provides a forum for review and comments on the school's programs, building plans, master plan and economic development activities. For example, the GCAG was the first tier of informal review and comment on the school's implementation of its Grafton campus master plan, which the school recently updated. The group is kept apprised of—and offers comments and advice concerning—master plan permitting, project plan reviews, construction activities and economic development. Group members also play a key role as conduits between their respective communities and the veterinary school, helping ensure the community is involved with, and informed about, a wide variety of Tufts issues, activities and plans.
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Community Officials and Residents | |
| Timothy McInerney | Grafton Town Administrator |
| John Connors | Superintendent of the Grafton Public Schools |
| Matt Pearson | Grafton Water District |
| Lois Luniewicz | Grafton Health Department |
| John Stephens | Grafton Historic Commission Member |
| Gail McGrail | Grafton Economic Development Committee Member |
| Philip Dumas | Grafton Board of Health Member |
| John Carlson | Neighbor |
| Michael Gauthier | Grafton Fire Chief |
| Carol Davies | IDEXX Corporate representative/Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Member |
| Alden Harris | Washington Mills/Corporate Representative |
| Stephen Bishop | Grafton Town Planner |
| Normand Crepeau, Jr. | Grafton Police Chief |
| Chuck Bohaboy | Grafton Wastewater Treatment Plant |
| Eric Overstrom | Neighbor |
| Charles Bolack | Grafton News/Neighbor |
| Peter LaFleur | Grafton Job Corps |
| Tufts Liaison Representatives | |
| Joe McManus | Executive Associate Dean |
| Lois Wetmore | TCSVM faculty member and Grafton resident |
| Cyndie Webster | TCSVM faculty member and Grafton resident |
| Jean Poteete | Senior Campus Planner |
| Industry Sector Representative | |
| Kevin O’Sullivan | CEO, Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives |
Meeting Schedule
Meetings are held in the Kohnstamm Conference Room in the Jean Mayer Administration Building (building E on the campus map), at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Please see the Visitor Information Page for directions and parking information.
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| Thursday, April 8, 2010 | 7:30am |
| Thursday, July 15, 2010 | 7:30am |
| Thursday, October 7, 2010 | 7:30am |
| Thursday, January 6, 2011 | 7:30am |