LEWISTON — An issue like trash and litter doesn’t usually get a lot of airtime with public officials.

But on Thursday, Mayor Carl Sheline devoted at least a few minutes to discussing its impact on Lewiston’s image, and how it could tie into a larger effort on economic development.

Sheline, along with architect Mark Lee, who co-chair Lewiston’s new economic development committee, spoke to a Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce crowd Thursday about the initiative, which Sheline first announced during his inauguration in January.

The event was also attended by Gov. Janet Mills, who commended Lewiston officials on the work that’s been done to breathe life into the historic mill district and downtown.

Sheline said his committee, which has so far met twice, has “started to lay the groundwork” for objectives, and is planning public forums.

The 16-member committee includes officials from large institutions such as Central Maine Medical Center, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, and Geiger promotional products company, as well as restaurant and downtown property owners.

Sheline said Thursday that the work of the committee will be unique due to having “all decision makers at the table.”

He also said it will truly focus on Lewiston’s unique challenges.

“We have problems only we can correct, and we need to say them out loud,” he said.

One of them, he said, is Lewiston’s image.

“We can complain that it’s not justified, but it’s still there,” he said, adding that the issue of trash and litter is a perfect example of something that is both a municipal and community-wide problem.

He said the broader committee effort can explore solutions to longtime challenges in Lewiston, while also finding ways to grow investment in the city.

“Our problems are solvable. If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t have run for mayor,” he said.

Lee, who works for Harriman, pointed out areas will be of particular focus for the committee, including the Riverfront Island area. While the city has seen development interest there, including a Szanton Co. housing project at the former Continental Mill, he said it’s just the beginning.

He said the riverfront holds a “quality of place,” with historic buildings that allow developers to utilize historic tax credits to redevelop. There are other plans in the works for increased walking trails, improvements to Simard-Payne Memorial Park, and room for in-fill development.

Lee encouraged chamber members to send the committee their ideas for the area.

When asked Thursday, Sheline said the idea behind his morning remarks was “Lewiston doesn’t have the luxury of working on one thing at a time. We need to make progress on challenges and opportunities simultaneously.”

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