Comprehensive plan public hearing set
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
MARS HILL — Town officials continue their efforts to create an updated comprehensive plan, in an effort to improve both the business climate and residential life in the community.
IMPROVING THE FUTURE — Officials in Mars Hill are working to upgrade the town’s Comprehensive Plan, to better reflect the needs of the community. One issue is the need to grow the population. To do that, the town needs affordable housing. Here, Comprehensive Plan Committee members Bruce Hussey and Steve Hitchcock look over a map of potential development sites for both business and residential purposes.
“The state mandates communities have a comprehensive plan in place. The town council authorized an update of Mars Hill’s plan in January 2012, and meetings began last April. We’ve set a fairly aggressive schedule and hope to have it done within the year — hope to wrap this up this spring,” said Steve Hitchcock, a Mars Hill citizen who’s heading the project.
Hitchcock joined Bruce Hussey and Interim Town Manager Ray Mersereau recently to discuss what’s been done so far and what still needs to be accomplished.
“We planned two public meetings, the first on Feb. 11, with another slated for Saturday, Feb. 16, at 1 p.m. in the music room at Central Aroostook High School. We invite anyone who wants to learn more and encourage participation in the discussion,” he said.
Hitchcock said the last time the plan was revised was in 1992. He said it was time to make changes to address current needs in the community.
“The population is about 1,500, about the same as it was in 1992. We haven’t lost but we haven’t gained. We’re looking at ways to improve housing and other measures that would attract new families,” said Hitchcock.
Hitchcock said he and others working on the plan have been busy meeting with various organizations and groups to discuss the plan.
“We welcome any organization, group or individual who wants to see and take part in the plan the opportunity to do so,” he said.
He said focus is being placed on several key areas.
“We have 10 areas we’re looking to make improvements: population, economy, housing, transportation, public facilities, cultural resources, municipal finances, agricultural and forestry, natural resources and land use,” Hitchcock said.
Before it’s approved, the plan must go before the planning board and council, as well as go through a public-hearing process. Then council must give its final approval.
“Following the 1992 approved plan, a lot of rezoning was done,” noted Hitchcock. “The comprehensive plan is a community effort requiring a lot of input to finalize plans, goals and strategies that best serve the community.”
Hitchcock credited Beth Della Valle, a South Portland consultant and experienced planner, with helping with the upgrades.
“Beth’s been a real asset in the process,” he said.
Hitchcock said it’s important to “focus on potential to secure a bright future.”
“We have assets here, we just need to find the best way to utilize them,” he said. “We have a great water/sewer system, existing businesses, TAMC, Bigrock and the ski tow, schools, farms and more.”
“We have a fiber optic IT service running through town — part of the three-ring binder project,” said Hitchcock.
He said it’s also important to “capitalize on natural resources.”
“Tourism and recreational activities have prime potential here in Mars Hill. We just need to cultivate relationships. There’s a lot of cross-border activity; we need to capitalize on that,” said Hitchcock.
While recreational trails and Mars Hill Mountain serve as great natural resources, wildlife too attracts visitors.
“We have hiking and biking trails. We also have birds that come through here that aren’t found anywhere else. The pond and marsh area are potential sites for bird watching — we’d like to maybe have a bird walk,” he said.
Housing is another issue being given serious thought.
“There’s a project off Clark Road. There’s plenty of space in Mars Hill for development. We want the average employee able to buy a house in Mars Hill,” said Hitchcock.
Hitchcock said additional affordable housing is a key element in increasing the population.
“Up until 1950, we had a population of 2,000. That dropped to 1,500 by 2002 and that’s where we’re at now. We’d like to gain that 500 back,” said Hitchcock.
“To get them back, we have to have jobs, here or elsewhere. We could serve as a bedroom community,” said Mersereau. “That’s the challenge, creating jobs.”
Hitchcock said he sees both problems and potential in Mars Hill.
“We’ve established a committee with some breadth. It includes a variety of backgrounds: a small business owner, real estate, someone with a legal background, a lady with hospital/dining experience. I grew up here, moved away and returned with experience working on Scarborough’s comprehensive plan. All of us would like to see Mars Hill have a vibrant future,” said Hitchcock.
“To do that, we need to see the population and jobs grow,” said Hitchcock.
Hussey credited Hitchcock for the plan’s progression.
“Steve deserves most if not all the credit. The plan didn’t just happen. He’s attended council meetings, nurtured the plan along,” said Hussey.
Hitchcock said he’s not doing this for himself but rather the citizens.
“One wonderful thing about the town is the people. In the last five years about a half dozen families with terrible medical problems have been helped. The town rallies around those in need. It’s a great community to live in,” said Hitchcock.
