The town must have a plan by January in order to apply for a grant.
NORWAY – Just imagine, but do it fast.
That was the task for over 40 people who turned out for a Thursday brainstorming session on what to do with the C.B. Cummings and Sons dowel mill in downtown Norway.
A master plan needs to be in place by Jan. 15 in order to apply for a $400,000 state grant that would pay for initial site improvements, said Brett Doney, president of the Growth Council of Oxford Hills.
It would be good to know by then which of the mill’s 11 buildings are to be saved, and which torn down, he told the group meeting at the Norway Town Hall.
“This is really where your creativity comes in,” he said. “Sometimes the craziest ideas are the ones that turn out to be feasible.”
The council announced Wednesday it is buying the 4.5-acre mill property from owners Brad and Steve Cummings for $100,000. The deal needs to close by Dec. 14 so that the Cummings family can close out the corporation.
A complete site survey needs to be done by then.
Doney stressed the need for shared parking and green space in whatever mix of uses townspeople decide upon.
Then the brainstorming began, with people breaking up into small groups to share their ideas and concerns.
Many people thought the 150-year woodworking legacy at the mill should be showcased in some way, perhaps with a museum. Several of the groups said a footbridge should be built across the stream which runs between the property and Main Street.
Housing for the elderly was mentioned several times. So was the idea of creating incubator spaces to support cottage industries, and to create studio space for artists. Other ideas included a hatchery, restaurant and small retail shops, an educational facility, an Alzheimer’s facility and a park.
Several concerns were raised, including the need for town control.
“I’d like to see the selectmen somewhere close to the driver’s seat, with the community very much involved,” said David Sanderson. Tony Morra added that protective covenants would be a must, to ensure that uses wouldn’t change over time.
Whatever uses are deemed desirable, most agreed any redevelopment at the mill needs to be compatible with ongoing efforts of redeveloping Main Street.
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