By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
EASTON, Maine — Town officials are working to update a comprehensive plan and are seeking public input — whether persons reside in Easton, work at one of the local businesses or just visit from time to time. “We’re working to update our comprehensive plan and identify strategies to promote growth in town. To help us do that, we’ll be circulating a public opinion survey. We encourage feedback from all interested in sharing with us — both Easton residents and non-residents,” said Dave Hopkins, chair of the Easton Planning Board.
The last time the CP was updated was in 1993. A lot has changed since then, according to Hopkins.
“A comprehensive plan is intended to guide the growth and development of a community, typically including an inventory and analysis of land use, housing, commerce, recreation, infrastructure, etc., goals for the community to accomplish based upon the inventory and analysis, and implementation strategies for accomplishing those goals,” said Hopkins, noting “there have been many changes in Easton over the last 20 years.”
Among those changes are business and housing upgrades.
“McCain Foods USA (McCains) and Huber Engineered Woods (HEW) have completed many important upgrades to their facilities to ensure they continue to provide exceptional products, unsurpassed in their respective industries. Not unlike many communities, the housing in town is aging and many older homes are being replaced with new homes. Easton has had three subdivisions permitted in the last 20 years,” he said.
Like other communities, shrinking state funding has also been a factor, as has a shift in population.
“The state has reduced their share of school funding to a point it is imperative that we encourage growth in town to increase the number of children we educate. The town’s population has increased approximately 10 percent within the last five years due to the Amish joining our community,” said Hopkins.
Hopkins said updating the plan is important for a number of reasons.
“Not only is consistency with state goals a requirement of a CP, but aligning local development to state standards and goals ensures Easton can take advantage of state programs and develop in a manner consistent with statute as well as legislative initiatives,” he said.
Having an updated CP puts communities in line to qualify for various grant programs.
As a community, Hopkins said Easton officials feel it has much to offer.
“We’d like to encourage growth to those who do not realize the benefits of living in Easton. The Easton school system is regarded as one of the top systems in the area, providing exceptional opportunities for a well-rounded education and typically graduates and guides 100 percent of the class on to higher education,” he said.
“Our two largest industries, McCains and HEW, provide exceptional work opportunities for many folks. Although there are a few house lots and homes for sale, Easton is actively reviewing the housing opportunities and will be developing a strategic plan to provide a variety of housing opportunities,” said Hopkins.
With one of the lowest mil rates in Aroostook County — $16 per $1,000 in valuation — it’s easy to understand why housing is often in short supply.
He said officials are also reviewing opportunities “to expand the commercial and industrial areas of town to attract new businesses.”
“Easton’s recreation program is quickly becoming the talk of the town. Many new and exciting opportunities are becoming available for the children, middle-aged and senior folks in town,” Hopkins said.
Planning Board meetings are held once a month, with the focus of the meetings for the next 15 months being reviewing the CP inventory sections, identifying needs and developing goals and strategies to meet those needs and encourage the overall growth of the town, said Hopkins.
Hopkins stressed the importance of public input.
“We encourage not only Easton residents but other folks to complete the public opinion survey that we are finalizing. The survey will be mailed to Easton residents but can also be filled out online at Easton’s website, www.easton.me.us, by residents and non-residents. The survey is designed to query what the public would like to see for improved services, housing, education, employment opportunities, recreation, etc. We would like to hear from non-residents about what they would be looking for to move to Easton or are there currently obstacles for them moving to Easton,” he said. The survey should be online in early December.
Once updated, Hopkins said the Planning Board and town selectmen intend to use the CP as a road map to encourage growth in the town.
“Growth translates to new jobs, new housing, an increased tax base for sustaining a higher quality of infrastructure, and increased population to help maintain our excellent school system. The Planning Board intends to complete a full review of the plan every five years to ensure all aspects are being followed or whether new opportunities have arisen,” said Hopkins.
He said the Planning Board has a “good cross-section of citizens serving on it.”
“There are five board members. In addition to myself, we have: Kevin Marquis, Richard Green, Cindy Flanagan and Skip Babineau. Town Manager Jim Gardner serves as secretary and provides a link to the town selectmen, and the Planning Board has retained Northern Maine Development Commission, as represented by Jay Kamm, to assist with the CP update. with help from Jay Kamm of Northern Maine Development Commission. I serve as the chair,” said Hopkins.
“We want to get the message out that we’re re-doing the CP and encourage public participation. We welcome the public’s ideas. We’ll be mailing the survey locally or it can be obtained online. Anyone with questions or input is asked to call the town office at 488-6652,” said Hopkins.
