RANGELEY — The town’s Comprehensive Planning Committee will continue its work on updating a 14-year-old plan to guide the town over the next 10 years during a second, town-wide public opinion session on Wednesday, July 20.

The session will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at Rangeley Lakes Regional School.

“The purpose of the session is to further refine the views provided by the first public opinion session held in March,” Committee Chairman Rob Welch said.

At the March session dozens of people actively participated in identifying hundreds of concerns and ideas on different topics such as the economy and environment that they believe Rangeley needs to think about as the town plans for its future, he said Tuesday.

Over the past two months, committee members have used that input to help prepare a broad vision for Rangeley’s future.

“The committee was very impressed with the level of interest shown at the March session and hope the same will be true for the July session,” Welch said.

The idea of the July 20 session is to have people identify five, six or seven priorities that the town should address in the next decade, he said.

Maintaining the high water quality already existing was a big issue that people identified in March as a priority for the town’s future, Welch said.

It works with the tourism industry the town has, he said.

The committee is trying to update the 1997 plan by looking at what was done, what wasn’t done and what current issues need to be addressed and to make sure they all comply with laws at the local, state and federal levels, Welch said.

The opinion session will be facilitated by John Maloney from the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments. The session will actively engage those attending to further define actions relating to the town’s economy, tourism, water, housing, development and public improvements. 

This session is an important part in updating the existing comprehensive plan for the town of Rangeley, Welch said.

The committee hopes that both year-round and seasonal residents will come to the meeting to talk with their neighbors and help shape the future of the town, he said.

Further information concerning the session or about the comprehensive plan can be provided by contacting Rob Welch at 864-5916. 

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