posted on: 6/15/2020
On June 10, Frank Torr was named recipient of the 2020 Citizen Planner of the Year by the New Hampshire Planners Association. The organization made the presentation during their spring webinar series.
The New Hampshire Planner’s Association (NHPA) award annually recognizes citizen planners from New Hampshire for their advancement to the science and art of planning and commitment to community involvement through planning initiatives. The New Hampshire Planners Association promotes, assists, and supports professional planners in the State with the goal of achieving planning excellence to improve the quality of life today and tomorrow in New Hampshire’s communities. The Citizen Planner of the Year is a reflection of that ideal, and is sought annually through nominations.
The NHPA selection committee recognized Frank and “wished there were more people like him” who encourage innovative planning, volunteer and have an interest in development. In a letter of support written by Assistant City Manager Christopher Parker, Frank is described as “a voice of reason, a voice of realistic expectations and has a critical and substantial knowledge of property rights in New Hampshire. Not a meeting goes by without Frank offering pearls of wisdom about how an applicant should be treated, how we should protect abutters’ interests and the community’s role in land-use regulation.”
Frank Torr has served on the Dover Planning Board for 22 years, starting March 11, 1998. He served as Vice Chair for four years from Aug. 26, 2008 to Dec. 21, 2012. He also served as Chair in 2016. In addition to his work with the Planning Board, Frank has served on various Master Plan steering committees and on the Technical Review Committee. Dover has benefited from Mr. Torr in a variety of ways, including as a City Councilor, a member of the General Court (both houses) and representing Strafford County on the Pease Development Authority.
City Planner Donna Benton describes Frank as a “wonderful volunteer who you can always count on. He always has a smile on his face and you will only find him with a positive attitude. Often answering the question ‘How are you?’ with ‘Great. It’s the only way to be.’”
On receiving the award, Frank is quoted from a video by saying “I’m excited, honored, and humbled to receive the Citizen Planner of the Year Award. I’d like to acknowledge and thank Donna Benton who nominated me. I’ve been involved in real estate most of my life and have a great interest in development. Serving on the Technical Review Committee gives me an opportunity to work with the staff, ensure technical corrections, and to help give direction on development. Serving on the Planning Board for many years provided me the opportunity to help shape the City of Dover now and for the future. The Planning staff are professional, have great vision, and are a pleasure to work with. My colleagues on the Planning Board are on the same mindset and come from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. I believe diversity on the Board help shape better development. Thank you to the New Hampshire Planners Association for the award, it is greatly appreciated.”
Assistant City Manager Christopher Parker and current Planning Board Chair Gina Cruikshank acknowledged Frank Torr as the recipient of the New Hampshire Planners Association’s 2020 Citizen Planner of the Year award at their latest meeting Planning Board meeting.
