Project Information

Bid Title

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS-DEVELOPMENT OF MASTER PLAN UPDATE

Issuing Agency

Town of Shrewsbury

Location

Massachusetts

Published Date

Jan 9, 2026

Closing Date

Feb 9, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Bid Title:	REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS-DEVELOPMENT OF MASTER PLAN UPDATE
Category:	Planning and Economic Development
Status:	Open

Description: REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN UPDATE The Town of Shrewsbury requests proposals from highly qualified firms for the development of a comprehensive Master Plan update. Proposal Documents are available online at https://shrewsburyma.gov/bids and also in the Town Manager’s Office at 100 Maple Avenue in Shrewsbury (phone: 508-841-8508). Town Offices are open Mon, Wed, Thu 8:00 AM-4:30 PM; Tue 8:00 AM-6:30 PM; and Fri 8:00 AM-12:00 PM. Specific questions concerning this RFP shall be submitted via email to Christopher McGoldrick, Director of Planning and Economic Development, at For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address. no later than 12PM on January 30, 2026. It is the responsibility of prospective proposers to check https://shrewsburyma.gov/bids for new information via any addenda to this RFP. All prospective proposers must register their name and contact information (email address) on the proposal request form on the Town’s website or via a register to be maintained by the Office of the Town Manager to receive any addenda or answers to questions that may be issued by the Town. Price Proposals shall not exceed $200,000. Proposals submitted in accordance with this RFP and the related documents  online will be received in the Town Manager’s Office at 100 Maple Avenue in Shrewsbury, MA or via email to For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address. until 1PM on February 9, 2026. Massachusetts General Laws chapter 30B, section 6 shall apply to this RFP. The Town reserves the right to waive any minor informalities in the proposals and to reject any and all proposals if it shall be deemed in the best interests of the Town to do so. Kevin J. Mizikar Town Manager Town of Shrewsbury Publication Date/Time: 1/9/2026 12:00 AM Closing Date/Time: 2/9/2026 1:00 PM Contact Person: Jeff Goodwin Assistant to Town Manager - Procurement 100 Maple Avenue Shrewsbury, MA 01545 jgoodwin@shrewsburyma.gov Office 508.841.8508 Direct 508.841.8385 Related Documents: Master Plan Update-Request for Proposal Documents

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TOWN OF SHREWSBURY

Request for Proposals

for the

Development of a Comprehensive Master Plan Update

PROPOSALS DUE:

1:00 PM on February 9, 2026

Deliver to Office of the Town Manager

100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA 01545

Electronic submissions to jgoodwin@ShrewsburyMA.gov

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Table of Contents

1. Project Overview………………………………………………………………………….…….3

1. Purpose………...………………………………………………………………………….…3

2. Objectives …………………………………………………………………………….……..3

3. Background……..……………………………………………………………...…….………4

4. Scope of Services…………………………………………………………………………….6

5. Deliverables……………………………………………………………………………...….13

6. Staff Role …………………………………………………………………………………...14

7. Project Timeframe…………………………………………………………………………..14

8. Project Budget………………………………………………………………………..……..14

9. Consultant Qualifications…………………………………………………………...………14

2. Procurement Process……………………………………………………………………….….16

1. Schedule of Events………………………………………………………………………….16

2. Questions & Answers…………………………………………….………………………....16

3. Examination of Contract Documents…….…………………………………………………16

4. Submission of Proposals…………………………………………………...…………...…..17

5. Signing of Proposals………………………………………………………………………..17

6. Administrative/Compliance Review………………………………………………………..17

7. Evaluation……………………..…………………………………………………………... 17

8. Comparative Evaluation Criteria…………………………………………………………...18

9. Award……………………………………………………………………………………….20

3. Response Requirements……………………………………...……………………………..…21

1. Preparing a Response ……………………………………………………………………....21

2. Packaging the Response ………………………………………….…………………………21

3. Copies Required/Form of Electronic Submission …………………….…………………….22

4. Technical Proposal Requirements ………………………………………………………….22

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5. Price Proposal Requirements ………………...……………..……………………………..24

4. Appendices ………………..………………………………………………………………….25

1. Statement of Tax Compliance Form - MGL Ch. 62C, Sec. 49A…….……………….…...25

2. Certificate of Non-Collusion Form...……………………………………………………...25

3. Sample Agreement ………………………………………………………………….…….26

1. Project Overview

1. Purpose

The Town of Shrewsbury (hereinafter referred to as “the Town”) seeks proposals from

professional planning consultants to prepare a Town wide Master Plan Update with

community participation which shall include a review of the Town's existing Zoning

Bylaws and regulations in order to incorporate the goals of the Master Plan. Shrewsbury

has not undertaken a Comprehensive Master Plan Update process as described in MGL

Chapter 41 Section 81D, since 2016. The Master Plan Update is expected to take

approximately one year, with a planning horizon of ten to fifteen years, and will provide

a basis for decision-making about land use planning and redevelopment, budget

preparation and capital improvement planning for public facilities and services and

economic development for the Town of Shrewsbury's future.

2. Objectives

The Master Plan Update will meet the following objectives:

• Proceed with a maximum amount of community involvement and public

participation.

• Establish consistency regarding the goals, vision and aspirations of the community.

• Recognize the unique history, attributes and needs of Shrewsbury.

• Build on existing plans, studies and reports such as the Town’s Strategic Plan.

Accordingly, the following documents shall be made available to all prospective

proposers upon request via email to Christopher McGoldrick, Director of Planning

and Economic Development, at cmcgoldrick@shrewsburyma.gov.

● Town of Shrewsbury Strategic Action Plan

● Shrewsbury Master Plan – March 2016

● Open Space and Recreation Plan – June 2020

● Housing Production Plan – February 2013

● Cemetery Master Plan

● Zoning Bylaw Town of Shrewsbury, MA, updated through June 2021

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● Planning Board Subdivision Rules and Regulations, updated through August 2010

● Planning Board Special Permit and Site Plan Rules and Regulations, September

2017

● 43D Rules and Regulations

● Inclusionary Housing Submission Requirements, Procedures and Supplemental

Regulations

● Rules and Regulations of the Zoning Board of Appeals, updated through February

2012

● Municipal Climate Action and Resiliency Plan

● Annual Town Reports

● Lakeway Business Improvement District Feasibility Study

● Town Center Business Improvement District Feasibility Study

● Hazard Mitigation Plan Update (2026)

● DLTA Buildout Analysis Phase I and Phase II

● Transit Feasibility Study (2026)

● Town Wide Economic Plan (2026)

● Various other town plans and maps

• Coordinate with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and other regional plans.

3. Background

The Town of Shrewsbury was incorporated on December 15, 1727. A series of land grants

beginning in 1664 initiated the town’s early settlement. The 3,200-acre grant called Haynes

Farm (also known as Quinsigamond Farm) was the largest. The original area of

Shrewsbury was considerably larger than the Town today, stretching from Lancaster in the

north to Sutton in the south, and incorporating Worcester to the west and Marlborough to

the east.

From the beginning, the Town was fortunate in that it had a superior transportation

network. The Connecticut Path (Main Street) was originally laid out in 1683 as a path

connecting Boston to the Connecticut River towns. Holden Street was used even prior to

the Revolutionary War and served as a country road connecting the town with

Northampton. This road was part of the route that connected Boston with Vermont for

many years. South Street provided access to sites on the Westborough border. The Boston

Turnpike (Route 9) was completed in 1808 and originally crossed Lake Quinsigamond on

a floating bridge.

Original development in Shrewsbury was centered in several areas. The largest was around

what is still the town center at Main and Boylston Streets. There were other settlements

around Straw Hollow in the northeast part of town and around present day Holden and

Sewall Streets in the northwest part of town.

The development of streetcar routes in the 19th century spurred the growth of single-

family housing development in town and a summer resort population on Lake

Quinsigamond whose residents bought garden market produce grown by local farmers. As

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Shrewsbury’s industry suffered from the lack of large waterpower sites and the tardy arrival

of rail, its role as a suburb of Worcester grew more important. The residential development

of Lake Quinsigamond’s shores further preempted the Town’s opportunities for industrial

development. The Town’s population doubled from 1915 to 1940 as continued streetcar

growth brought more modern settlers into the community. The greatest growth occurred

between 1920 and 1925 when the population increased by 2,111, or more than 50%. Other

modern developments included an increased number of lakeside cottages, ethnic clubs and

recreational areas on the lake.

The Town is governed by a five-member Select Board and Representative Town Meeting.

Daily management is vested in a Town Manager appointment by the Select Board.

Planning and development is controlled by Massachusetts General Laws, the Shrewsbury

Select Board Town Manager Act, the Town Bylaws and the Shrewsbury Zoning Bylaw.

The five member Planning Board is appointed by the Town Manager. The seven member

Shrewsbury Development Corporation is appointed by the Select Board. The five member

Zoning Board of Appeals is appointed by the Select Board. Both the Planning Board and

the Zoning Board of Appeals act as special permit granting authorities as designated by the

Zoning Bylaw.

The Town has strong fiscal management and operates with a balanced budget. Shrewsbury

is a largely built out community, but has opportunities for commercial and industrial

development. An update of the Master Plan is a critical component of a successful way

forward for the Town.

Shrewsbury has six 6 elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. The

new Beal Elementary School was constructed in Fall 2021, moving from the old Town

Center locations which has subsequently been permitted for redevelopment into a mixed

use design, retaining open space amenities for future revisioning.

Shrewsbury has 1,101 subsidized housing units, a total of 7.14% of its year round housing

stock. Approval of approximately 550 additional affordable units are anticipated through

2026. The Town completed a State approved Housing Production Plan in 2024.

Shrewsbury has had inclusionary zoning since 2005.

The Town updated and completed its Open Space and Recreation Plan in 2020. The Plan

was approved by the Department of Conservation Services on September 24, 2021. Since

that time, several action items have been accomplished that were identified in the plan,

including the creation of a Trails Committee.

Shrewsbury is serviced by its own water system and shares a wastewater treatment plant

with the Towns of Westborough and Hopkinton, with additional capacity via the Upper

Blackstone. The majority of the Town is serviced by municipal water and sewer, however,

there is a restriction on sewer extensions to some areas of the community generally defined

by the local Needs Areas.

In its Municipal Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, the Town committed to optimizing

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541310Architectural Services
• NAICS 541330Engineering Services

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