TOWN OF VASSALBORO
STRATEGIC PLAN
June 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
INTRODUCTION 2
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 3
PART 1. GOALS AND POLICIES 4
INTRODUCTION 4
POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES 5
Population 5
Housing 6
Archeological and Historic 8
Economy 10
Transportation 13
Public Services 16
Fiscal Capacity 19
Natural Resources 21
Recreation 24
Land Use 26
LAND USE PLAN 27
PART 2. INVENTORY
PEOPLE OF VASSALBORO 35
ECONOMY 42
HOUSING 54
ARCHEOLOGICAL & HISTORIC RESOURCES 63
RECREATION 69
TRANSPORTATION 76
PUBLIC SERVICES 84
FISCAL CAPACITY 92
NATURAL RESOURCES 101
APPENDIX
APPENDIX A: PUBLIC SURVEY
INTRODUCTION
What is the Strategic Plan
The plan is a guide and expression of the community’s vision.
The plan is a guide for managing change within the community for the next 10-20 years. It is an expression of the community’s vision of its future by providing the framework for policy decisions.
It is based on local information.
While the plan cannot predict the future, the inventory of the town, current census, and state planning data which the Planning Committee collected and analyzed with the help of a professional planner provide a reasonable basis for recommending goals, policies and strategies that should help the town to realize its vision.
The plan is an ongoing process.
The plan is not the end of the planning process, but just the beginning. The local committees and town officials will further refine the policies and strategies as they are put into action. The plan may be adapted to meet the changing needs of the community.
The plan is not a law or an ordinance.
The plan is not an ordinance, nor a law of any kind. It is only the basis for developing policies. Some of those policies may lead to ordinances, which by law must come before the entire town through hearings and be considered at the Town Meeting.
The plan is built on the past and leads to the future.
The 2006 strategic plan is built upon previous planning efforts, the most recent of which was the work done between 1990 and 1992. This plan was brought up to date and integrated with new data from the 2004 survey, public forums, the 2000 Census and other local, state, and regional information.
The plan is meant to be used.
The plan’s recommendations will do no good unless acted upon. The Strategic Planning Committee recommends creating some new committees to help implement the plan. Implementation of the plan will require the involvement and participation of many citizens. The more people involved, the better the plan will serve the whole town.
Acknowledgments
The Vassalboro Strategic Plan Committee would like to thank the Selectmen, Town Office Staff and the countless number of citizens who answered the survey, participated in public forums, and made other valuable contributions to the plan.
Strategic Plan Committee Members
Jon Van Bourg
Sarah Luce
Michael Bourdon
Betsy Fitzgerald
Bill Branch
Mike Morin
Pam Shofner
Ginny Brackett
Gary Coull
Lori Fowle
Elizabeth Reuthe
John Reuthe
Ray Manacchio
Rick Denico
Kathy Lees
Bob Magda
Holly Weidner
GOALS, POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
Introduction
The goals, policies and implementation strategies are the community’s action plan.. The goals are based upon ideas collected in the town survey, public meetings, and visioning sessions. The policies and implementation strategies take into consideration the many details and facts collected in the inventory section of the plan.
This is the heart of the plan because it sets out a path for the community to follow. It also specifies a group, committee or board responsible for implementation.
The policies are designed and intended to serve not as a destination, but as a point of departure. The members of the Strategic Plan Committee listened to the community and pieced together many ideas and suggestions into a cohesive set of policies.
The next step in the planning process is to have members of the public with the interest and expertise in a particular area to take a leadership role and further refine each of these recommendations. The work of the Plan Committee is completed, but over the coming years many citizens will further advance the ideas, and recommendations contained in the plan.
This section is divided into areas that match the inventory section of the plan. Policies and implementation strategies relate to specific areas such as housing or natural resources. However, it is important to remember that a particular policy might also have implications for other areas in the plan.
This section is divided into the following areas:
Population
Housing
Archeological and Historical Resources
Economy
Transportation
Public Services
Fiscal Capacity
Natural Resources
Recreation
Land Use Plan
Policy Development
The policies and recommendations contained in the strategic plan represent many points of view. The Strategic Plan Committee tried to balance common concerns and needs by identifying compromises. The policies will be discussed and refined as the plan is put into action.
Goals, Policies and Implementation
Population
Goal: To plan for orderly growth and development throughout the community and to respond to changes in our population, while maintaining the rural character.
Some Key Issues:
- The town population has doubled in 50 years.
- Our population is aging. Birth rates are down but the school population has increased 13% in 20 years.
- People move into Vassalboro for its rural qualities, but Vassalboro is becoming one of the most densely populated rural towns in Kennebec County.
Policy:
1 The town should monitor demographic trends and incorporate any significant changes into the plan. Applicable policies and growth estimates should be revised.
The Town Manager and the Code Enforcement Officer should examine demographic data from the Census Bureau, Department of Human Services, and Kennebec Valley Council of Governments when it becomes available. Changes and trends should be reported to the Selectmen and other appropriate committees. Whenever necessary the planning process shall be modified to reflect new data and trends.
Timeline: Annually
2 The town should monitor medical service availability and access within the town and region especially as it impacts elderly residents.
The Town Manager, in cooperation with local, regional, state, and senior citizen organizations, should monitor how well residents can access medical services. Strategies should be developed to address deficiencies in cooperation with senior citizen groups and medical professional organizations.
Timeline: On-going
3 Major changes in the school age population should be addressed before they have critical impact on the public schools.
The Town Manager and the Code Enforcement Officer should survey incoming population regularly to estimate the number of children below school age and report back to the school board.
Timeline: Annually
Housing
Goals: To encourage and promote affordable, decent housing opportunities for all residents.
To identify and inventory the variety of types and densities of housing available to households of different sizes, ages and incomes.
To foster a responsible balance of housing and other development in rural portions of the community with the needs of farming and forestry operations.
Some Key Issues:
- Housing is anticipated to grow by at least 30 new units per year.
- New housing is scattered throughout the community.
- The north and east Vassalboro villages have municipal water and sewer available, however, very few new homes are located in these areas.
- New housing may impact existing farming and forestry operations.
- Housing prices are increasing in Vassalboro and the region.
- Some families may be priced out of the housing market.
Policies:
1 The town should explore ways to meet the housing needs of elderly citizens including senior housing, housing repair programs, regional housing ventures, in-law apartments and other similar strategies.
The town should create a senior housing committee to develop a housing plan for the community. The committee should seek public input and ideas and present a plan to the Town Meeting for consideration.
Timeline: 2008
2 The town wishes to encourage a mix of housing types and prices to attract households of varying incomes into the community. The town should monitor housing and land prices in order to keep tabs on the availability of affordable housing opportunities for residents, young families and seniors. Strategies to address deficiencies in affordable housing opportunities should be developed as the need arises.
The Town Manager, Selectmen, Assessor, and the Code Enforcement Officer shall monitor housing affordability and propose strategies to increase affordable housing in areas of the community close to services, jobs, shopping, and transport.
Timeline: Annually
3 The town should cooperate closely with existing organizations and groups that promote affordable housing such as Habitat for Humanity, MSHA, KVCAP and the CDBG Grant Program, to offer affordable housing opportunities for all residents.
The Town Manager and the Code Enforcement Officer shall maintain a working relationship with affordable housing organizations and programs to find affordable housing projects for the community.
Timeline: On-going
4 The town shall amend the subdivision ordinance to allow the option of Open Space Design Subdivisions. Appropriate standards shall be developed for Open Space Designs.
The Planning Board shall amend the Subdivision Ordinance to allow Open Space Design development and create standards for their design and construction.
Timeline: 2008
5 The town should continue to encourage affordable housing for the elderly to locate in the villages. Dimensional standards for homes with municipal services should be developed to allow for a density higher than those in the rural portions of the town. Existing development patterns in the villages should be considered.
The Planning Board should develop appropriate dimensional standards for village housing that reflects existing development patterns and the availability of municipal services.
Timeline: 2010
6 The town should develop lot size standards, for areas not served by municipal services, based upon the capacity of the soil to accommodate a subsurface wastewater disposal system. Larger lot sizes, for example, would be required for soils with a high water table or that are shallow to bedrock. Data from the Department of Health Engineering, and other appropriate sources should be used to develop the lot size standards. The overall purpose for these standards is to provide safe waste water treatment for the long term and to protect water sources.
The Planning Board shall develop lot size standards.
Timeline: 2008
Archeological and Historic Resources
Goal: To preserve the town’s historic and archeological resources.
Some Key Issues:
- There needs to be a comprehensive survey of town archeological and historic resources.
- Funding sources need to be developed to conduct preservation projects.
- The town’s historic records need to be cataloged.
- Measures should be taken to protect archeological and historic sites from development.
- The villages are an important part of our history.
1 The town should support the activities of the Vassalboro Historical Society and encourage them to undertake additional tasks necessary to identify and preserve our historic resources.
The Selectmen shall support the Historical Society and their funding needs.
Timeline: On-going
2 The town should undertake a survey of all its historic and archeological resources. Grants and other funding sources should be identified for the projects.
The Town Manager shall work with the Historical Society to identify funds or grants available for taking a survey of historical or archeological resources.
Timeline: 2010
3 The town should make sure that town records and artifacts are stored safely and cataloged.
The Town Manager will work with the Historical Society tol develop a plan to make sure that records are cataloged and stored properly and available for research.
Timeline: 2010
4 The town shall promote a variety of activities which serve to enhance appreciation of our heritage such as, oral history projects, historic structure markers, and historic tours.
The Town Manager shall work with the Historical Society to undertake a variety of projects designed to increase public appreciation of local history and shall identify grant and other funding sources for these undertakings.
Timeline: On-going
5 The town should make sure that all housing and commercial development projects will not adversely impact important archeological, historic, and scenic resources.
The Planning Board shall require all projects to check the maps from the Maine Historic Preservation Commission for possible archeological and historic sites
Timeline: 2008.
6 The town shall make an effort to preserve the historic character of the villages.
The Planning Board, utilizing state and local resources including the Historical Society, shall identify ways to preserve the historic character of the villages.
Timeline: 2008.
Economy
Goal: To promote an economic climate that increases business, employment and overall economic well-being.
Some Key Issues:
- The community supports farming, forestry, professional and service business, light industry, and home based occupations.
- The town does not have its own economic development strategy.
- The town has not identified areas for future commercial growth.
- Regional economic development efforts have been difficult for the town to support.
- The aging population will impact the economy.
- 75% of Vassalboro workers commute to larger urban areas.
- There are a growing number of workers in service, office and sales work.
Policies
1 The town should create a local economic strategy to promote business and development activities that have been identified as beneficial for the community.
The town’s new economic development committee will create a strategy for community economic development.
Timeline: 2010
2 The town should encourage home businesses and establish appropriate standards which balance the need for home based businesses while preserving the character of residential property and neighborhoods.
The Planning Board shall develop home businesses standards that allow many different types of activities and reflect the creativity and flexibility of the current economy while protecting adjacent properties from undo deleterious effects.
Timeline: On-going
3 The town should in cooperation with neighboring communities, the state, and private businesses promote high speed internet access and other forms of communication throughout the town in order to maintain local economic health and competitiveness.
The Economic Committee, Selectmen and the Town Manager shall make sure that the entire town has access to modern communication.
Timeline: On-going
4 The town shall promote agriculture, forestry and other natural based industries by working in cooperation with citizens and regional, state and federal programs and groups to make sure that rural activities have the resources to continue operation. The town shall maintain an open dialogue with local farmers, foresters and other related operations to make sure that their needs are being considered.
The Town Manager and the Economic Committee shall include agriculture and forestry and related activities as an essential component of our local economic strategy.
Timeline: On-going
5 The town should be an active participant in regional economic development efforts whenever such activities provide a benefit for the town.
The Economic Committee, Selectmen and the Town Manager should identify relevant regional economic programs and participate as appropriate according to the economic strategies developed by the town.
Timeline: On-going
6 The town should explore the feasibility of identifying one or more commercial development sites which could provide a site for new commercial and industrial activities.
The Economic Committee and the Planning Board shall jointly explore the possibility of creating a development site and present their ideas to the town for consideration.
Timeline: 2009
7 The town shall create an economic development strategy and include an analysis of the benefits of the following activities: Farm outlet product markets, Light Industry, Professional Offices, Innovative agricultural activities, Home business, Medical services, and Senior Housing,
The Economic Committee shall consider these activities in the development of an economic development plan for the community.
Timeline: 2010
8 The town shall plan for the economic and social ramifications of an aging population in cooperation with regional and state economic groups.
The Economic Committee shall address demographic changes in the town economic strategy.
Timeline: 2010
9 The town should encourage and support the activities of the local business association.
The Economic Committee should work with local business association and other groups, to foster to foster a thriving economic community.
Timeline: On-going
Transportation
Goal: To plan for, finance and develop an efficient system of public facilities and services to accommodate anticipated growth and needs.
Some Key Issues
- The town needs to balance the needs for safe and efficient transportation with the rural character of the community.
- The town does a very good job maintaining its roads.
- There is good public transportation for students but none for adults or people with disabilities.
- The community needs creative strategies to deal with increased traffic, speeding, recreational use of roadways, visibility, and access to roads and driveways.
Policies
1 The town should work with MDOT and neighboring communities on corridor transportation planning for Routes 3, 201 and 32.
The Town Manager and the Selectmen should participate in corridor planning for Routes 3, 201 and 32.
Timeline: On-going
2 The town should adopt traffic access standards for local roads to ensure the safe flow of traffic and the movement of vehicles in and out of property driveways and parking lots. Local requirements should be based on MDOT standards and include the following provisions: sight distance, corner clearance, road drainage, minimum driveway widths, and vehicle turn-around.
The Planning Board shall develop traffic access provisions.
Timeline: 2008
3 The town should maintain its existing road maintenance planning process and shall annually appropriate funds for ongoing road repair, and maintenance. The town shall also make available educational and training opportunities in the areas of road maintenance for members of local road associations and owners of private roads.
The Selectmen and the Town Manager shall fund road work based upon a road plan and make sure training opportunities area made available for town staff as well as local citizens.
Timeline: On-going
4 The town should cooperate with the Maine Department of Transportation to improve those places identified in the plan that are problem areas, accident sites or roads in need of repair.
The Town Manager shall advocate to MDOT to address transportation deficiencies in town.
Timeline: On-going
5 The town should work with MDOT to encourage walking and biking opportunities along roadways including more road shoulders and sidewalks.
The Town Manager and the Conservation Commission shall advocate for road trails and other alternative transportation ways, especially whenever road improvements are planned by MDOT.
Timeline: On-going
6 The town shall make sure that whenever a private road is constructed that a road association is also created to handle ongoing road maintenance and repair.
The Planning Board shall amend the Road Ordinance to include a provision requiring a road association is developed for every private road proposed in a subdivision.
Timeline: 2008
7 The town shall require that proposed subdivisions address alternative transportation opportunities through a variety of options including preserving existing trails and paths and providing access to trails.
The Planning Board and the Conservation Commission shall work jointly to amend the subdivision ordinance to create options for walking and other alternative transportation.
Timeline: 2010
8 The town shall work closely with regional transportation providers including KVCAP to offer additional needed transportation services within the community for people with special needs.
The Town Manager shall advocate for increased transportation services for the community and shall also seek other creative ways to offer transportation services.
Timeline: 2009
9 The town shall develop a master trail plan for the community which should include many forms of alternative transportation.
The Conservation Commission shall in cooperation with other municipal and regional groups develop a master trail plan for the town.
Timeline: 2009
Public Services
Goals: To plan for, finance and develop an efficient system of public facilities and services to accommodate anticipated growth and economic development.
To develop and maintain public services designed to be responsive to the citizens to Vassalboro.
Some Key Issues:
- Population is increasing with an expanded need for public services
- The town may need to expand public safety.
- It is becoming difficult to muster a pool of qualified volunteers for the Fire Department.
- Some of the sewer and water services in the villages are at capacity and need to be expanded.
- It is increasingly difficult to encourage and maintain a pool of local volunteers for the community.
- Municipal infrastructure is generally in good condition.
- The sanitary land fill is at capacity and recycling practices need to be assessed.
- High school choice is a popular option but regional changes may affect its feasibility.
- There is no clear method of communication for the community, town and social services. We need a local website, newsletter, or increased access to local newspapers.
Policies:
1 The town should identify and pursue grant funding whenever available to finance public service improvements, infrastructure upgrades and expansions.
The Selectmen and the Town Manager should monitor grant availability and apply for grants whenever feasible.
Timeline: Ongoing
2 The town should continue to maintain its level of municipal services and make sure that funding is adequate, training and educational opportunities are available for town staff; and new and creative ways and ideas are explored to improve services.
The Selectmen and Town Manager and municipal staff shall work together to provide efficient services for residents.
Timeline: Annually
3 The town recognizes that volunteers at every level of local government provide a tremendous amount of dedicated service for the community. The town also recognizes that without volunteers the cost of services would increase. Volunteers must necessarily continue to provide a high level of quality service for the town
The Selectmen and the Town Manager shall develop strategies to maintain and increase whenever possible the level of volunteer service and provide recognition and other enhancements for volunteer recruitment.
Timeline: 2008
4 The town shall work with the fire department to provide training, to maintain adequate services, equipment, and a sufficient number of trained volunteers.
The Town Manager and the Fire Chief shall maintain department resources and develop a plan in cooperation with neighboring fire departments and other groups to encourage membership of volunteer departments.
Timeline: 2008
5 The town shall explore ways to increase public safety throughout the community and to address concerns including speeding, vandalism, drugs, and response time.
The Town Manager and the Constable shall develop strategies to optimize public safety.
Timeline: 2008
6 The Town shall work in cooperation with the Vassalboro Sanitary District to develop a capital improvements plan for treatment and collection facilities to address any existing deficiencies and to allow for expansion and new users within the village area.
The Selectmen and the Sanitary District shall work together to develop a capital improvements plan for the District.
Timeline: 2009
7 The town shall work in cooperation with the Water Districts to develop effective capital improvements plans for the water system to address deficiencies, improve water quality and distribution and to allow for expansion and new users in the villages.
The Selectmen and the Water Districts shall work together to develop an effective capital improvements plan for the District.
Timeline: 2009
8 The town shall work to improve the recycling and transfer station in order to improve efficiency, increase recycling, and manage cost.
The Town Manager, Recycling Committee and the Transfer Station Staff shall develop a plan to improve services and efficiency
Timeline: 2009
Fiscal Capacity
Goal: To finance an efficient system of public facilities to accommodate anticipated growth and economic development.
Some Key Issues:
- The current town capital improvement plans have functioned well and should be continued.
- The town is in good financial shape.
- The town should seek a fair balance between services and a low mill rate.
Policies
1 The town should maintain sound fiscal planning to ensure the adequate oversight of the town’s fiscal affairs.
The Selectmen and the Town Manager should continue to wisely manage the fiscal affairs of the community and seek ways to improve the financial health of the town. Financial and similar training should be made available to municipal officials and town staff.
Timeline: Ongoing
2 The town shall continue to use a capital improvement plan to prepare for major expenditures. The town shall re-establish a Capital Improvements Committee to review and amend the plan in cooperation with the Selectmen and the Town Manager.
The town shall re-establish a Capital Improvement Plan Committee and shall annually review and amend their responsibilities as necessary.
Timeline: Annually
3 The town shall maintain appropriate financial reserves to provide funds for school and municipal operations.
The Town Manager and the Selectmen shall make sure that the town has an appropriate reserve of funds consistent with sound accounting practices.
Timeline: Annually
4 The Selectmen should monitor the implementation of the strategic plan and make sure that appropriate resources are available to put the plan into action.
The Selectmen should make sure that adequate resources are provided to implement the plan.
Timeline: Annually
5 The town shall find funding sources to finance a local land trust.
The Town Manager, Selectmen and the Conservation Commission shall develop a local land trust and identify funding mechanisms for the program.
Timeline: 2009
6 The town shall explore the feasibility of using an impact fee system to require that development pay the cost of some development impacts such as roads, traffic, education and recreation.
The Town Manager, Code Enforcement Officer and the Planning Board shall develop an impact fee proposal for the town to consider.
Timeline: 2010
Natural Resources
Goals: To protect and manage the quality of the town’s water resources including rivers, streams, ponds and aquifers.
To protect the town’s critical natural resources including wetlands, wildlife and fishery habitats, shoreland, scenic vistas, and unique natural areas.
To safeguard the town’s agricultural and forest resources from development that threatens those resources.
Some Key Issues:
- Most of the China Lake shoreline in Vassalboro is a protected resource.
- Residents value the rural character and the outdoor resources of the town.
- There is still good agricultural and forested land but there is increased pressure to develop these areas into residential and commercial properties.
- Vassalboro has many water resources that are at risk: the Kennebec River, three lakes, numerous ponds, streams, bogs, and valuable aquifers.
Policies
1 The town should promote the voluntary use of land trusts, conservation easements and similar strategies to preserve agriculture, forestry and open space areas in the community.
The Conservation Commission and the Selectmen shall foster an open dialogue with local, state and regional conservation groups that promote land trusts and land preservation programs. Activities that foster interest in these types of preservation programs should be offered to landowners throughout the community.
Timeline: Ongoing
2 The town shall appoint a Conservation Commission to protect the environmental health of the community and to play a role in implementing the natural resource strategies of the plan. The Commission should also play a role as an advocate for local natural resources and develop educational projects to inform the community about our natural resources.
The Selectmen should appoint a Conservation Commission and ask them to serve as an advocate for our natural resources. The Commission should develop educational programs, implement strategies identified in the plan and to foster volunteer efforts to enhance and preserve our resources.
Timeline: 2007
3 The town should continue to enforce existing ordinances that protect our natural resources such as Shoreland Zoning and shall revise ordinances as needed to reflect changes in State and Federal regulations.
The Planning Board and the Code Enforcement Officer shall maintain and enforce ordinances according to State and Federal requirements and shall propose revisions as needed to address local needs and problems.
Timeline: On-going
4 The town should continue to support and work cooperatively with the China Regional Lakes Alliance and other watershed and lakes groups to improve water quality.
The Conservation Commission shall work with local and regional watershed groups on water quality projects and shall promote improvements to our water resources.
Timeline: On-going
5 The town shall explore the feasibility of developing a town forest to be managed as a working forest and for recreational activities.
The Conservation Commission shall develop a town forest plan which includes a process for purchasing or accepting gifts of land, a funding strategy, and a management plan.
Timeline: 2010
6 The town shall cooperate with local farmers and foresters, and other regional, state and federal organizations to seek ways to promote the economic health and vitality of agriculture and forestry. Emphasis should be focused upon making sure that additional hurdles are not placed in the way of existing agricultural and forestry operations.
The Conservation Commission shall work with farmers and foresters locally and in the state to identify strategies to promote their operations.
Timeline: On-going
7 The town should monitor the environmental health and vitality of the town’s natural resources and identify ways to mitigate any negative impacts imposed by development and inadequate environmental protection practices.
The Conservation Commission shall monitor the condition of the town’s natural resources and seek ways to maintain their vitality.
Timeline: On-going
8 The town shall monitor gravel pit and mineral extraction operations and compliance with state laws and regulations. Recommendations for local ordinance standards may be considered as necessary to address future problems especially relating to safety, aquifer impacts, traffic, road impacts and operational practices.
The Planning Board shall propose gravel pit requirements as necessary.
Timeline: On-going
9 The town shall maintain and protect its water resources including; rivers, streams, ponds, aquifers, public wells, and private wells in a manner that will ensure the health of these resources for future generations. The town should enforce its existing environmental ordinances and work in cooperation with state and federal agencies. Strategies to promote public awareness about the importance of our water resources and volunteer compliance with practices to further protect these resources should be actively pursued.
The Conservation Commission shall actively pursue strategies to promote sound stewardship of water resources.
Timeline: On-going
10 The Conservation Commission shall develop a list of natural resources that the community wants to preserve and develop a plan to fund the preservation efforts of the community.
The Conservation Commission shall develop a natural resource preservation plan for the community.
Timeline: 2008
11 The town shall promote further discussion about our scenic resources and ways to preserve them for future generations.
The Conservation Commission and the Historical Society shall engage the public in a discussion about the value of scenic resources and seek to identify ways to preserve these areas.
Timeline: 2008
Recreation
Goal: To promote and protect the availability of recreational opportunities for all citizens including access to surface waters.
Some Key Issues:
- The town’s most significant recreational attributes need to be identified.
- Increased water access for swimming, boating and fishing are important.
- The town ball fields are popular and land is available for expansion.
- There is limited public access to the Kennebec River in Vassalboro.
- Community events and activities are desired but require volunteer time and money.
- The broader recreational needs of all segments of the population need to be addressed.
- There is an active Recreation Committee that is currently responsible for many youth team sport activities in the community.
Policies
1 The town should expand water access to the Kennebec River and area lakes and ponds for a variety of water dependent uses. Regional agreements among neighboring communities should be explored whenever feasible.
The Recreation Committee and the Conservation Committee should develop a long term plan to increase water access. Funding sources should be identified and pursued whenever possible.
Timeline: 2009
2 The town should continue to support the plans and activities of the Recreation Committee and make sure that adequate funding is available to implement their activities.
The Selectmen and the Town Manager shall provide resources, training, and funding support for the Recreation Committee.
Timeline: Annually
3 The town should develop a recreation plan for the community. The plan should address the needs of all segments of the community including children, and adults. Funding sources especially grants should be identified and whenever feasible regional partners should be identified.
The Recreation Committee shall develop a recreation plan for the town.
Timeline: 2009
4 The town shall develop a master trail plan for the town which addresses some of the following activities: walking, bicycling, snowmobile, ATV,s, and horse back riding; whenever possible links to neighboring towns and regional trails should be included. Sidewalks in villages should be promoted. The use of existing and new right-of- way’s such as power lines and development public right-of- way’s should also be explored for trail use.
The Conservation Commission and the Recreation Committee shall develop a master trail plan which includes opportunities for many activities.
Timeline: 2009
5 The town and the Kennebec Water District should explore the feasibility of the creation of a public swimming area on China Lake.
The Town Manager and the Recreation Committee shall pursue with the Kennebec Water District the possibility of creating a public swimming area on China Lake.
Timeline: 2008
6 The town, in cooperation with interested local landowners, state agencies, clubs and recreational organizations should develop a forum to discuss public access to private lands and identify strategies to make sure private land is respected and used in accordance with the wishes of the landowners.
The Conservation Commission and the Recreation Committee should develop an annual forum with input from the Department of Conservation to discuss with landowners their issues and concerns about public use of land .
Timeline: 2007
Land Use
Introduction
The land use section of the plan provides the framework for many other sections of the plan. The land use plan is often one of the most visible outcomes of the planning process. The policies and strategies presented in the land use plan will help guide future development in the community.
The land use plan is important for the community and for it to be effective it must also be accepted by the community. The plan will have to balance often competing priorities and goals with a range of resident’s ideas, attitudes and opinions concerning land use regulations, growth and development. The plan is designed to be a collection of the community’s shared vision of how our town will look and grow in the coming years. It is a collection of ideas that are shared by most of the community and many compromises which acknowledge and respect different points of view.
The land use plan is meant to be implemented by the community and to guide new growth and development in a way that is in the interest of our citizens. It was put together after an analysis of past, present and potential future growth patterns.
The land use plan sets out some specific recommendation, however, mostly it sets forth a direction for the community to follow. In a sense the land use plan is not yet complete, because it still requires future public input and hard work as specific recommendations are developed and eventually considered at public hearings and town meetings.
Goals: To balance residential, commercial, and transportation needs and growth in the community with preservation of agriculture, forest land, recreation space and natural resources.
To find a mix of voluntary and regulatory land use standards that will encourage orderly, safe, and environmentally appropriate growth in the community.
To balance landowner rights to property and privacy while preserving and enhancing public access to natural resources for recreation.
Some Key Issues and Existing Patterns:
- People value the freedom to develop their land but also value the town’s rural character.