There are two upcoming opportunities for Temple residents to learn more about the work being done by the Planning Board’s Housing Opportunity Program subcommittee, and to offer feedback on the process.

The Temple Planning Board has been awarded an InvestNH grant of nearly $56,000 for updating planning documents to address the ongoing housing needs of New Hampshire and the town.

There will be two opportunities, including July 4 celebrations, for residents to learn more about the process of revamping the town’s Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance, and to offer feedback. The subcommittee plans to have a table at the town’s July 4 celebrations, held at the Temple Memorial Field starting at 10 a.m.

They will also be present on July 11, at 6 p.m., during the Mansfield Public Library’s program, Mike Piazza and his High Flying Dogs, also being held at the Temple Memorial Field.

Planning Board Chair Christine Robidoux said the subcommittee is scheduled to meet next on Monday at 7 p.m., in the Town Hall, with a Zoom option, and will discuss how feedback will be accepted during that meeting.

A mailer with details of the times and locations will be sent to Temple households, and fliers will be distributed at Special Town Meeting, Thursday, June 22.

The board is updating multiple chapters of the town’s Master Plan, including the vision statement, and information on population and housing, existing land use and future land use. Changes to the Master Plan can be made by a vote of the Planning Board following a public hearing.

Robidoux informed the board on Tuesday that consultants, hired with the grant funding, have already begun reviewing the town’s zoning documents, and started audits of the town’s site plan and subdivision regulations, and a preliminary audit of the Zoning Ordinance.

The board also approved the second phase of a natural resources inventory of the town, continuing the contract with Moosewood Ecological, who has already completed a preliminary survey of town natural assets. The assessment will include a closer examination of properties of interest, and a community effort to catalogue plant and animal species in the town.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.