OTISFIELD – Comprehensive Plan Committee members agreed they want to work out problems with the selectmen so the plan can be voted on by residents as soon as possible.

The committee held a meeting Monday night in preparation for their meeting with the selectmen slated for Wednesday night.

“It is time to put all of this nonsense to bed and get this [Comp Plan] to the voters,” Committee Chairman Jim Bishop said. “Many people have read the plan and attended the hearing in June. They keep asking me when will we vote and I’m tired of saying I don’t know.

“Let’s get to work and find out the real problem, deal with it and go on,” he said.

Bishop said the selectmen noted there is no growth management in the plan and opened discussion. Committee members debated zoning aspects of growth management discussed and opposed by residents during public forums early in the comp plan process.

Committee members agreed residents were opposed to zoning options offered by the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments during initial meetings but zoning is required to establish growth management in the plan.

“We need to ask the selectmen do they now want a plan that complies with the state,” committee member Bill McCoy said.

They noted in previous meetings with the selectmen that Selectman Lenny Adler asked for the comprehensive plan to reflect what the residents of Otisfield want not what is mandated by the state.

Committee member Gordon Chamberlain noted the selectmen said residents will not approve a plan that includes zoning.

“I see the meeting Wednesday as: asking a few pertinent questions then sitting back and listening intently and to make sure we are clear on what they want,” Bishop said.

“I wish when we do meet, they will put their problems right out front like we did our plan,” Committee member Win Webster said.

Webster said he has no idea what the selectmen do not like in the plan.

Bishop noted the selectmen opposed a portion of the plan calling to form a town government study committee that would not allow residents collecting pay from the town to participate on the committee.

“It bars a significant number of people from being on it,” Bishop said.

Committee members noted that was included in the plan before residents approved paying firefighters during town meeting in March. They agreed they need to change the ordinance to not exclude firefighters.

“The key thing is that we go [to the meeting with selectmen Wednesday], listen, ask questions for clarity and then decide what we should do next,” Bishop said.

The meeting is at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, in the town office.

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