Arndt speaks to Rotary Club

    Ken Arndt, director of planning and development for the city of Presque Isle, addressed the local Rotary Club on Aug. 20 at the Northeastland Hotel. His topic was Presque Isle’s Comprehensive Plan.     The Comprehensive Plan represents a business plan for the community and is a framework for how Presque Isle is to be developed. The current plan, developed in the mid-1970s, is currently undergoing an update. The Planning Board and various city departments have been working on the new plan since 1997. It is currently 215 pages long and the hope is that it will be good for 10 to 15 years. The Plan contains 17 maps of critical areas such as water, sewer, housing and boundaries. Some zones have been changed since the last plan such as going from an industrial zone to a well protection zone.
    Some city departments, such as the airport, have their own Comprehensive Plans which are a subset of the city’s Plan. In addition, the Downtown Revitalization Committee will be developing their own plan to submit to the City.
    There will be public meetings on the Comprehensive Plan in September and October with the hope that the revised Plan will be adopted in October. If so, Arndt said the city can start applying for development funds in order to be ready for future growth.
    Tim Crowley, president of Northern Maine Community College, updated Rotarians on Aug. 13 on everything happening at NMCC. The campus has a wireless network in place and is looking to utilize this network to provide more opportunities for students on campus and away. The college is undergoing accreditation this year and is excited to have this process completed.
    The capital campaign has been going on for over a year with $434,569 announced to date. The campaign will conclude in February of 2008 and Crowley expects the committee will reach its goal.
    NMCC supports economic growth and development in the community and is responsive to the needs of our local workforce, Crowley said. As an example, NMCC is involved with assisting the displaced workers from the Fraser Mill in Madawaska. Furthermore, NMCC has partnered with other organizations such as LEAD and APP to better serve the community. In addition, NMCC is working with Husson, UMPI, UMFK and community colleges in New Brunswick to offer more opportunities for the students.
    Crowley, a Rotarian, also mentioned to club members the importance of Bond Question No. 3 this November concerning upgrades to Maine’s college system.
    The Presque Isle Rotary Club meets each Monday at noon in the Northeastland Hotel.