Shaping a Small Town’s Future with Big Conversations

Nestled in the orchards and open spaces of MetroWest, the Town of Stow found itself at a crossroads. With no public water or sewer system, rising housing costs, and increasing pressure on public infrastructure, Stow faced big questions for a small town: How can it preserve its agricultural roots while planning for future growth? Where can affordable housing fit in a landscape shaped by conservation? And how can limited municipal resources support a more sustainable, equitable future?

JM Goldson was proud to serve as the sole consultant leading the Town’s comprehensive planning process. From the start, our team focused on making the process truly community-centered—facilitating open conversations and creative opportunities for public engagement that helped residents feel heard and involved.

Project Manager Austin Smith, working closely with Project Director Jenn Goldson, led a dynamic process that the Comprehensive Plan Committee (CPC) called the most inclusive and effective engagement effort in recent memory. With workshops, surveys, pop-up events, and thoughtful outreach tools, we not only met but exceeded the Town’s ambitious participation goals.

As the plan came together, we worked alongside the CPC to evaluate key trade-offs—balancing development and conservation, identifying strategies to support agribusiness, and exploring housing solutions that respect the town’s scale and character.

This plan reflects what’s possible when collaboration is real, participation is broad, and community values are front and center. Built on a foundation of strong engagement, careful analysis, and meaningful dialogue, the Stow Comprehensive Plan offers a clear and flexible roadmap for thoughtful growth—one that reflects the town’s identity and prepares it for the future, without losing sight of what makes Stow unique.