Planning Orange will guide the Township’s development over next 10 years to create the public’s collaborative vision for a thriving, inclusive, and balanced community. The plan should be used to guide and assist Orange Township’s decision making, policy development, and resource allocation. This plan is an asset to be used and consulted by community stakeholders. This includes, but is not limited to, Orange Township’s Board of Trustees, staff, board members, Delaware County leadership and staff, residents, home-owners associations, developers, non-profit organizations, and other people and entities committed to the vision of the community. The goals and strategies outlined throughout the plan were formulated through public input, stakeholder meetings, and research. Implementation of the recommended strategies will ensure that Orange Township prospers through well planned growth while balancing the needs of the community. Successful implementation will depend upon four key elements:
Communication and Collaboration
Community Leadership
Outreach and Education
Resources
Communication and collaboration
Communication and collaboration between Township leadership, staff, and community members is an essential component of ensuring implementation of the recommended strategies. To utilize this document effectively, at least one key goal and strategy from this plan should be identified and referred to by staff when presenting recommendations, reports, or policies to the Township Boards and/or Board of Trustees.
Community Leadership
In order to facilitate implementation, clear responsibilities will be assigned for each strategy. The responsible parties should initiate the effort and work in collaboration with other parties that will aid in achieving each respective strategy. Township leaders should be familiar with the goals and strategies of the Plan and be committed to its implementation. It is recommended that Township leaders participate in an annual retreat where the progress of this document can be monitored.
OutreACH AND Education
Continued outreach and public involvement will be a key element of the Plan’s success. The community should be familiar with and reminded of the Plan. Implementation will be impossible without community involvement. Opportunities to involve the public in implementation should be pursued. Workshops and meetings with the community organizations, such as home-owners associations and business groups, should be held on a regular basis. Additional stakeholders must be continually pursued and engaged throughout the implementation phase.
Resources
Financial and non-financial resources such as grants, additional staff, training, and volunteers will be necessary to implement the outlined strategies. The Township should work with nonprofit organizations and other government entities to identify essential resources such as training and grant opportunities. Additionally, within the legal parameters of the Township’s authority, new and innovative revenue streams should be sought.
Implementation Table
To help facilitate implementation and for easy reference, an implementation table was created. This table, below, should be regularly consulted. The implementation table includes the following elements:
Strategies: Each strategy is outlined and assigned an identification code. For example, CI-1.2 refers to Community Image Goal 1, Strategy 2.
Responsible Parties: The table clearly identifies which party or parties are tasked with implementation of a specific strategy.
Time frame: A time frame of Short-Term (1-3 years) or Long-Term (4-10 years) is assigned for each strategy. This indicates the time by which the strategy should be fully implemented.
Potential Partners: Where applicable, partners can assist in implementation of a strategy. Partners can include funders, stakeholders, and other government entities.