NORWAY — Selectmen agreed Thursday night that dealing with the future of the Opera House will be their top priority in he coming year.

Upkeep of town roads, revitalization of Main Street and providing affordable living to residents were some of the other priorities listed they listed during the 90-minute session geared toward goal-setting.

Board Chairman Bruce Cook and member Bill Damon agreed that the Opera House is the top issue.

“The Opera House leads the pack only because we’re in the process right now,” Cook said. “They’re all important on any given day.”

Town Manager David Holt arranged the meeting to discuss the items that the board felt were important to the town and develop a one-year, and as much as a five-year, plan for the board. He said the board should also think about guiding principles and how they might apply to some of their goals.

“I think it has to be open, honest above-board in every respect,” Cook said. “I think that’s the only way.”

Selectwoman Irene Millett said the board also needs to be willing to listen to the public.

“We may not always agree, but we respect the other person’s opinion,” Damon said.

Selectman Warren Sessions said that follow-through was also important.

“Openness and honesty should be at the top of the list,” Selectman Russ Newcomb said.

In terms of revitalizing Main Street, Holt said there has been a great effort by Norway Downtown but now the selectmen should communicate with the business owners directly.

“We need to find out more of their challenges,” he said.

Five people, both residents and nonresidents, attended the meeting and praised the board for its openness and ability to get things done in a respectful way. Several residents suggested that the board look at zoning or land use ordinances as a way to protect existing small business owners.

Other ideas discussed were ordinance reviews, tax cuts for new business.

ldixon@sunjournal.com

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