Dear Editor:

I’m writing to publicly thank the Boothbay Planning Board for its valuable review, input and recommendations for the comprehensive plan.

The development of a comprehensive plan that serves as a useful tool to guide the town’s future development is a challenging process. The goal is to create a plan that meets the needs of the townspeople, and provides ample direction to the town in the near term, while retaining enough flexibility to be applicable into the unknown future.

While no plan will meet with full approval from every resident and business owner in the town, community members are encouraged to review the draft comprehensive plan in relation to the existing outdated 1989 plan.

I believe there are significant improvements in the draft comprehensive plan that will advance positive, sustainable economic and community development. The planning board’s careful review and involvement in the proposed land use sections are a significant preliminary contribution to making the town’s ordinance more understandable and “user friendly.”

Comprehensive plan committee members are working to finalize the plan for submission to the board of selectmen for review and approval, and strive to ensure that the Plan submitted accurately reflects the shared vision for our town moving forward.

Boothbay residents, property and business owners are encouraged to read the draft comprehensive plan and bring forward any questions, concerns or recommendations.

Voter approval of the comprehensive plan will result in submission of the plan to the state for review, which can make the town eligible for grant money to fund projects. An approved comprehensive plan can be amended going forward to reflect changing times or community needs.

The current draft comprehensive plan is available at the town office and can be downloaded from www.townofboothbay.org. Once on the site, click “Comp Plan Update 2-27-15” under Quick Links on the homepage.

All comprehensive plan meetings are held at the town office and the public is encouraged to attend.

Nell Tharpe

Comprehensive Plan Committee Co-Chairman

East Boothbay