April 1, around 30 residents filled the Boothbay Harbor Town Office to provide feedback on a Comprehensive Plan, which will help chart future town development. This first public workshop is part of a year-long planning process Boothbay Harbor has undertaken in partnership with Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) and a local advisory committee of elected town officials, business owners and residents. 

VHB Project Manager Luke Mitchell explained that, unlike some states, Maine has prescriptive guidelines for what constitutes a Comprehensive Plan. It’s a documentation of where a community came from, its present state and what direction it wants to go in the future.  

One unique aspect of the state is that the outline must include a Future Land Use Plan (FLUP), which shows how development will change land use. For instance, mapping out growth areas in relation to rural resources or sites where infrastructure is already in place. 

The final component is an implementation plan, which sets out the methodology and what entities are responsible for carrying it out. Mitchell said this is an important thing to consider for a small town like Boothbay Harbor, whose 2,000-person population has limited manpower.  

He also reassured attendees the Comprehensive Plan isn't locking in the town’s fate for the next decade. It's more of a vision document. “The town will get a chance to weigh in on all those things (in the plan) when they come to fruition.” 

Residents then got a chance to go over to different stations to write down thoughts, concerns, or desires for a variety of issues, such as public facilities and recreation, marine resources, housing, transportation, land use and economy, historic and cultural resources, among others.  

Housing, public facilities and recreation, and transportation were some of the busiest categories. For housing, common concerns included the lack of starter homes, affordable housing and year-round rentals. A desire for bike lanes and more robust public transportation (buses, additional trolleys, taxis or ride-share services) was also on several lists. Other participants focused on protecting natural spaces, infastructure and the downtown area against the growing effects of climate change and sea level rise.  

Selectman Mike Tomko said there will be another workshop in a few months to gain perspective from seasonal residents, with additional presentations scheduled as plans develop.