Comprehensive plan
to be discussed in Mapleton
By Jon Frederick
Governor LePage’s state budget proposal includes the elimination of municipal revenue sharing, Homestead property tax exemption for recipients under age 65 and State seizure of tractor trailer excise tax revenue – all potentially impacting the local property tax payer.
Justification for the Governor’s proposal is to promote municipalities to consolidate services and save money. The towns of Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman have served as an excellent example for the State by joining services in 1974, then adopting their Interlocal Agreement in1992. The three towns will continue to lead municipalities statewide with the adoption of a joint comprehensive plan in March.
A comprehensive plan is a land use management tool that establishes goals to provide overall direction and consistency to the planning actions of a municipality and provides the vision for a town’s future. The state of Maine requires an adopted comprehensive plan prior to a municipality implementing any land-use regulation. Additionally, many grants require a comprehensive plan in order to compete for funding. A comprehensive plan is not an ordinance, a regulation or a mandate and does not obligate a municipality to anything. Very simply, it is a community’s plan.
The process for developing the comprehensive plan for the towns of Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman began in 2003. Through a series of joint meetings, public input was gathered to formulate community profiles and establish goals, policies and strategies. Each town’s individual characters were represented and the Plan was written accordingly. In October 2012, the towns received the State’s “complete and consistent” determination necessary to move the plan forward for adoption by the residents. Prior to voting for adoption at Town Meeting, the residents of all three towns will have the opportunity to learn more and speak about the plan at a public hearing.
Every resident of Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman is invited to the Chapman Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club, 94 Town Hall Road in Chapman, Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. for the public hearing on the joint comprehensive plan. Copies of the plan may be requested by e-mail at townmanager@mapletontownoffice.com, by calling 764-3754, or by visiting the Town Office.
Please consider attending to learn about your plan prior to voting at your respective Town Meeting in March. Take pride in the fact your communities have taken the initiative to work collaboratively for nearly 40 years. The comprehensive plan for Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman represents your success consolidating services while maintaining individual community character, providing an outstanding example for the rest of Maine.
Jon Frederick is town manager for Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman. He can be reached at 764-3754 or via e-mail at townmanager@mapletontownoffice.com
