9304-R4_NewGloucester_2024-2025_AnnualReport_Web

Land Management Planning Committee (LMPC) The LMPC met six times in FY24. Due to the lack of Town Planner, the LMPC faced some limitations. Despite this, they continued working on the new Cannabis Ordinance and brought it to near completion. This work was done with the help of Town legal counsel at Preti-Flaherty. The LMPC also consulted the state Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) to ensure compliance with state laws. The LMPC continued to review existing Town ordinances, and recommended 3 to be repealed: Covering of Loads, Dutch Elm Disease Control, and Timber Harvesting. The goal is for these to be repealed at Town Meeting in FY25. Discussions about the future of the Upper Village continued, including creating a list with concrete priorities and steps for how to achieve them. Discussions continued about the importance of a survey being completed for the Town-owned parcels in the Upper Village. Thank you to all who served: Connie Justice, Terry DeWan, Brian Shedlarski, Michael Joyce, Elizabeth Splane, Nick Planson, Donald Libby, and Belinda Desmond. Economic and Community Development Committee (ECDC) The ECDC met twelve times in FY24. The committee started out the fiscal year with a name change, adding “Community” to their name (it formerly was the Economic Development Committee). This was accompanied with changes to the committee’s charge. The ECDC hosted a tour and networking event with Unity College at the Pineland Campus, with the intent to connect locals with Unity resources and identify opportunities for collaboration. The event was a success with about 40 attendees including businesses, residents, and educators. The ECDC completed collecting results of their Age-Friendly Community Survey and presented results and recommendations to the Select Board. They also reviewed and updated the New Gloucester Businesses Directory, contacting each business to make sure their information was correct. Finally, they began planning for an ECDC Business Pavilion at the next Community Fair. Thank you to all who served: Patricia Vampatella, Anne Maurice, Belinda Desmond, and Connie Justice. I would also like to thank all the Select Board committee liaisons for their help and support. Respectfully submitted, Lauren Turner, Town Planner

34