By Kerri Pepoy,Staff Writer

SUMNER – One common thread ran through the group of about 30 residents who gathered on Tuesday to discuss how to manage the town’s future growth: Retain the town’s rural character.

“South Paris lost it because they had no zoning. It looks like Anyplace USA,” said Sheri Fowler, who owns four buildings in West Sumner Village, one of which she runs as an art studio. “There were all those beautiful old homes that were torn down and they put in Rite-Aids and Kentucky Fried Chickens.”

Fowler said Sumner needs development, but historic buildings should be preserved. “Ideally, what I would like is for a billionaire to come in and buy up (West Sumner Village) and preserve it as an arts center,” she said.

Tuesday’s public meeting was essentially a brainstorming session for residents, who formed small groups to discuss the type of growth they would and would not support in their town of 854 people.

Mary Ann Haxton, co-chairwoman of the Comprehensive Plan Committee, said the ideas gathered at the meeting will be used to help the committee update Sumner’s comprehensive plan, a project that has been ongoing since September 2003.

The town’s last comprehensive plan was done in 1989. Haxton said the plan will undergo revisions during the next year, and residents will vote on it at the annual town meeting in August 2006.

Henri Arsenault, a committee member, said Sumner has added 120 housing units in the last 10 to 12 years and more development is projected. “We need to be able to anticipate another 120 houses in the next 10 years,” he said.

With that in mind, residents had opinions on the type of housing they want to see in their town. “Less old mobile homes would be nice,” said Bob Stewart, the town’s fire chief. “There are just some that have become eyesores. And I’m against subdivisions. Individual homes are fine.”

David O’Brien said he is less concerned about the type of housing than about people keeping their homes neat. “What I’m against is people having piles of trash in their yard,” he said.

Residents also discussed how to strengthen the town’s economic base, largely made up of people who are self-employed. Larry Perron, who owns farm property in Sumner, said he has diversified his income by opening a bed and breakfast and allowing recreational activities on his property, including cross-country skiing and horseback riding.

He said he would like other property owners to do the same so future development isn’t rampant. “I know if I can keep my farm, I won’t sell the lots,” he said.

Some residents said it will be challenging to develop Sumner’s economy. “It’s tough. A lot of us are self-employed and always working,” said Dan Jack.

“Realistically, to develop the economic base, we’re going to have to promote the little guy, the small-business owner,” said O’Brien. “You’re not going to see a Wal-Mart come in here.”