FARMINGTON — Some selectmen want to see more changes to the revised copy of a downtown development plan presented Thursday during a workshop at the Town Office.

Consultant John Holden of Eaton Peabody Consulting Group made revisions to the October draft copy after selectmen previously raised concerns about the language used emphasizing the role of the Farmington Downtown Association.

“It’s a communitywide plan with a focus on downtown,” Holden said. “It’s not their plan.”

Holden and the board agreed to meet for the workshop to discuss changes that would help move the plan forward, perhaps with a vote to adopt the plan at the next board meeting, Holden said.

Selectman Andrew Hufnagel said Thursday more revisions need to be made to the plan.

The consultant was hired to prepare the plan with the town’s tax increment financing funds, he said.

“It’s a town plan for downtown. It wasn’t purchased to provide a service for the FDA,” he said, looking at the preface page where he counted at least 10 references to the FDA.

Hufnagel acknowledged that Farmington Downtown Association members brought the idea to create a downtown TIF district to the board. In order to create the TIF district, a downtown plan is required but it’s not one for them to run their business, he said.

“If it’s for the FDA, then they should have paid the nearly $10,000. I didn’t vote to have a service provided to an outside agency,” Hufnagel said.

Overall, Hufnagel was supportive of the plan, calling it a “great job.” He understood Holden received guidance from the Farmington Downtown  Association, which already uses a four-point system of committees that works well within organizations.

While membership in the association is open to anyone, Hufnagel was concerned that the draft indicates association members would be the only ones taking part in the development plan.

He wanted other organizations such as the chamber of commerce, the new Farmington Business Association and community members who have an interest in the development of the downtown included in the plan’s wording.

“This is tailored to enhance the FDA not Farmington’s downtown,” he said.

Selectman Jessica Berry said she sees it differently. The Farmington Downtown Association is an existing organization structured to implement the plan, she said.

Holden said he would add language to include other organizations but also gave some advice: “Multiple efforts without coordination decreases efficiency.”

Along with the four-point system, Holden strongly suggested contracting a person to coordinate activities, events and even a website. Collaboration and coordination strengthens all organizations, he said.

“What is wrong with our downtown?” asked an audience member who applauded the work of the Farmington Downtown Association as a successful organization.

Hufnagel said his concern lies with spending public money for an outside organization no matter how well it’s doing. He wanted to ensure that every resident knows they can participate in the development plan.

“Everyone has the right and should be active to see that the town grows,” Selectman Ryan Morgan said. 

For Farmington, it’s not a matter of a need to revitalize a downtown full of empty shops like other Maine towns. There are very few downtowns like Farmington, Morgan said.

Residents Michael Fogg and Carol Hatch expressed appreciation of the proposed larger footprint of downtown included in the plan. It’s time to change the perception that downtown is only Main Street and upper Broadway, and to push the downtown to become bigger, Fogg said.

Another community workshop with the board was suggested to revisit the changes Holden intends to make in the plan.

abryant@sunjournal.com

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