BILL PEARSON Fri, 05/07/2021 - 8:45am
Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Mary Ellen Barnes presents the 2021-26 strategic plan May 4. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
In Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission’s five-year plan, broadband, housing and intergenerational community building were three of the six primary goals. Executive Director Mary Ellen Barnes submitted the plan May 4 to county commissioners, who unanimously approved the document.
The plan outlines county strategic planning goals from 2021 to 2026. The three other primary goals submitted were sustainable economic and community development, transportation and environmental sustainability. Barnes told commissioners the plan was created by the six-person board. The plan is designed as a guiding document in creating yearly work plans, formulating budgets and assessing progress. The commission is made of representatives appointed for their community and land use planning kno
Tue, 02/09/2021 - 7:45am
Policies, not an ordinance, might be the way for Wiscasset to go on its sidewalks, according to participants in a workshop on Zoom Monday night. “Policies are flexible,” ordinance review committee chair Karl Olson said. He said selectmen have not specified what they want the ordinance to accomplish. And from what he was hearing, he said it sounded like policies might be better.
Merchants would prefer it, Friends of Wiscasset Village members told the ORC and Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission staff.
“The businesses and people we’ve spoken with would be super thrilled with that,” Friends’ Chris Erickson said. “Ordinance always has a bit of an authoritarian ring to it.” Erickson suggested guidelines be merchant-friendly, such as with tables, clothes racks and event banners allowed, while maintaining safety and aesthetics. Safety should come first and foremost, he said.
BILL PEARSON Sat, 02/06/2021 - 8:15am
Lincoln County Commissioner Bill Blodgett watches as Sheriff Todd Brackett assembles a new flagpole for meetings at the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission building. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Since December, Wiscasset has negotiated with Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission about entering into a consulting contract. On Feb. 4, negotiations culminated with a deal as the county commissioners voted 2-0 to enter into an agreement. Under the contract, LCRPC will provide assistance in six planning projects. The contract calls for commission assistance to the town’s comprehensive planning committee’s work on the new comprehensive plan, working with municipal officials and committees developing a renewable energy plan, planning for certain town-owned properties’ reuse and projects, site planning for redevelopment options for the former Mason Station power plant, seeking project funding and grant writing, and general