BETA Celebrates Award-Winning Planning Projects

BETA Group, Inc. (BETA) is proud to announce its contributions to two award-winning planning projects in Tisbury and Longmeadow, Massachusetts. On December 13, 2024, the Tisbury Master Plan received the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Award, and the Longmeadow Climate Resilient Long-Range Plan earned the 2024 Planning Project Award at the American Planning Association–Massachusetts Chapter Annual Awards Luncheon. As a subconsultant to Barrett Planning Group, BETA played an integral role in the creation of these master plans for both municipalities in the Commonwealth, highlighting our commitment to delivering innovative and impactful solutions for the communities where we live and work.

BETA developed the transportation and public facilities and services elements of the Tisbury Master Plan, providing essential expertise to address the unique challenges of this year-round island community. The team conducted an existing conditions analysis to identify issues, constraints, and opportunities, then proposed strategies to mitigate traffic congestion and parking impacts while enhancing safety, circulation, and connectivity at the ferry terminal. Implementing improvements to the walking and bicycling environment and expanding public waterfront access were also important to this project. Additional efforts included evaluating sewer capacity to support future development, identifying actions to address vulnerabilities to sea level rise, and recommending improvements to Town-owned buildings and services. Participation in public workshops and forward-thinking strategies have helped the Town of Tisbury prepare for a sustainable and resilient future.

For the Long-Range Plan in Longmeadow, BETA developed the climate resilience framework, the transportation and circulation elements, and the community services and facilities elements. BETA led a local stakeholder working group to evaluate and recommend enhancements to the Town’s capital planning process, providing tools and guidance to integrate greenhouse gas emission reductions and climate resilience considerations into municipal operations and spending. BETA developed a revised capital request application, a process guide, and a memorandum outlining near-term and long-term opportunities for climate action and resilience. These efforts have positioned Longmeadow as a leader in addressing climate change at the local level, empowering Town staff and officials to align operations with the community’s commitment to sustainability and climate adaptation.

We are thrilled to congratulate the Towns of Tisbury and Longmeadow on these award-winning projects. BETA understands the importance of supporting communities in achieving their goals for long-term climate resilience and sustainability, and we were proud to partner with Barrett Planning Group on the creation of these important community tools.