by Mike Corthell
(Since I wrote this article earlier in the year the town has
formed the Comprehensive Plan Committee.
You can view additional information here.)
Fryeburg's comprehensive plan details
what has happened to make the town what it is today and what is happening that
will change the town in the future. The plan is also a statement by the public
of what we like about our town and what we would like the Fryeburg of the
future to be.
formed the Comprehensive Plan Committee.
You can view additional information here.)
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Maine Mountain Division Trail |
In the original comprehensive plan public survey 82% of the respondents stated that the town can attract new business and create new jobs without harming it's citizens or the natural environment. I agree.
The
comprehensive plan is both a blueprint and a road map. If it is used as
intended it will help us achieve our community goals and lift our town
economically.
As I see it there are six identifiable issues that need to be addressed:
As I see it there are six identifiable issues that need to be addressed:
•
Maintaining
Fryeburg's rural character.
•
Preserving
it's natural environment.
•
Increasing
economic opportunities while maintaining the
town's natural beauty.
town's natural beauty.
•
Improving
the quality of education.
•
Managing
traffic flow and maintenance of roads.
•
Find
ways to increase and further develop tourism.
The current plan was developed in 1994
and updated in 1998. It is now outdated. All towns change over time and
it is important that any plan changes also. Real estate and business
development can impact the town in positive and negative ways. In short, as the
town grows, demand for services grows. Sound town planning, much like a solid
business plan for a company just makes good sense.
Many people think about starting a
business but very few would start one, especially a multi-million dollar
business, without a well thought-out business plan. Fryeburg's
operating budget is in the millions of dollars. Shouldn't our town
have a solid, updated business plan too? That is exactly what a comprehensive
plan is; a 'community business plan'.
There are other types of businesses
that Fryeburg can host. We are the second busiest point of entry to the State
of Maine (Kittery being number one). Maybe Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. would like to
build a distribution warehouse here? UPS/FedEx perhaps? I can think of many
more opportunities for Fryeburg to expand its tax base and become a vibrant,
prosperous community once again.
Another opportunity is to develop new
businesses for downtown. For example, an enterprising entrepreneur could take
this idea, an idea that I personally endorse; Open a retro (1950's 60's) ice
cream parlor and soda shop and make it a safe meeting place for our students.
Updated with W-Fi of course! A marketing survey done at the academy says that
the kids would love it. If anyone is interested in pursuing this business idea,
please contact me.
All this and more can be achieved, all
the while preserving Fryeburg's rural character, charm and appeal, all it takes
is you, me and our friends and neighbors.
To have an
outside firm such as Southern Maine Planners update our Comp Plan would cost
approximately $25,000. Right now, Fryeburg has $12,000 earmarked toward
updating the comprehensive plan. With a good amount of citizen involvement
and voluntary committee efforts, much of the $25,000 cost can be reduced. In
fact, I believe that we can get the plan revised for the money already
allocated - $12,000.
Fryeburg needs an updated
comprehensive plan and a new vision for the future. We need clear and precise
goals to move Fryeburg forward.
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