PARIS – The latest Census data will be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan as a first step toward updating the document for state approval.

Town Manager Steve McAllister told selectmen Monday he has hired Shawn George of Paris, a former intern at Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, to conduct the three-month research project.

George, who has an associate’s degree in computer graphics, approached McAllister several months ago, looking for work, he said.

George will update all the tables, graphs and statistical data in the 1994 Comprehensive Plan, including all the data included in the body of chapters in the document. As each chapter is updated, it will be referred to the Comprehensive Planning Committee for further refinement.

The committee’s members are Ray Glover, Nancy Record, both selectmen; and John Barlow, planning board chairman.

McAllister said he’d like to see a seven-member committee, and encouraged anyone who is interested in serving to contact the town.

The work that George does will come out of $1,700 available for updating the plan. McAllister would like to see a revised document ready for public hearings next spring, at which time it can also be sent to the state for approval.

Voters could then act on the revised plan at next June’s town meeting.

McAllister said the 1994 plan was approved by the state but was turned down by voters. Much of the work on the original document in 1991 was done by former Selectman Art Hill, who now lives in Norway.

McAllister said AVCOG consultants may be called in to help the committee as their work progresses.

In other action Monday, selectmen approved an application by Duane Waterman of Sumner to hold a gospel concert from 1 to 6 p.m. Aug. 24 at Moore Park. Selectmen Bruce Hanson and William Merrill were opposed.

McAllister said other religious-based events have been held at the park, but the concern selectmen had was over the length of the concert.

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