PARIS — A comprehensive study of the downtown may be delayed a month because community members are on vacation. 

Town Manager Amy Bernard told selectmen Monday that the deadline may be pushed into September to allow every party with a vested interest in the study to give input.

Sandy Swett was hired by the town in May to complete a survey of the town and recommend future changes based upon community feedback. On Wednesday, Swett said reaching some community members has been impossible because they are on vacation.

Work on the study commenced in June, and is expected to take Swett the better part of three months to finish. The cost is set at $8,500.

The study synthesizes demographic data along with responses on the future outlook of the town from civic organizations, town committees, art collectives, churches and business owners, among others. 

Among a host of information, it will take a snapshot of the town, from its education and income levels, to business specifications, local ordinances and natural resources and make recommendations on how to guide its development. 

Town officials hope to hold at least two public meetings to give residents an opportunity to express their ideas, Swett said.

So far, the town has scheduled one public hearing for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Town Office.

“The more interest, the more people attending, the better gauge we will have of people’s sentiments,” she said.