SUMNER – A group of residents had plenty of questions Wednesday night as they welcomed John Maloney to the Sumner Comprehensive Planning Group.

Although the group members are not yet officially a committee, Rhea Kennelly is the official leader of the group that will gather to plot the town’s plans for the future. Once completed, the plan will have to be approved at town meeting.

Maloney, representing the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, said there has been a change in planning laws since they were first enacted, and he updated the group on the changes.

Another development: Maloney said that many communities are getting grants to help them write a plan. These grants are competitive and are scored based on certain criteria.

Some residents wondered what the grant money was for. Maloney said it could be used for expenses related to writing the plan. These might include printing and mailing a community survey, having a person to enter data as it is collected and professional guidance, which would help direct the group in gathering and analyzing data, then developing projections for the town.

One incentive for towns to develop a comprehensive plan is that some grant programs are contingent on having a plan.

Resident Edwin Hinshaw said he wanted to expand the historical element in the comprehensive plan, and he wanted to be sure the plan represented the attitude of townspeople.

He said many people just want to live and let live. Others want some things done in town, but watch the taxes. He didn’t want someone from out of town telling the town what they needed.

Kennelly asked if having an attorney was necessary. Maloney replied that he did not think so.

Hinshaw said he would like to see the various groups in town who meet regularly have input and suggested they be contacted to see if a member could come to one of the comprehensive plan meetings. This would include the various clubs, women’s groups, auxiliaries and others.

Others suggested involving schoolchildren and perhaps having students write essays concerning the town. They also suggested that longtime residents should have input.

Kennelly said the next step would be to present those people interested in being a part of the committee to selectmen to be appointed.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, Oct. 15. Kennelly said she plans to define and assign tasks to members, and she invited anyone interested in Sumner’s future to attend the meeting.

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