BELGRADE — Volunteers are needed to take the lead in revising the town’s 1998 Comprehensive Plan.

Town Manager Gregory Gill said the town hired Kennebec Valley Council of Governments in March as a consultant to oversee the project.

The document’s goal is to help residents identify areas for development, make efficient use of public services and maintain the town’s unique character, he said.

Gill said it’s time to adopt measures that guide the placement of commercial development. The town’s economy relies on tourism and recreation on surrounding lakes, he said.

“If we don’t do something soon, we’re going to have businesses everywhere,” he said. “To me, it’s time to protect the property.”

Gill said the town has been contacting people to see whether they’re interested in volunteering on committees. Both the Planning Board and Long Range Planning Committee also would be involved.

Town Clerk Mary Vogel said she has contacted 30 people to see whether they were willing to serve. The plan is broken down into five categories: economic development, education, regional cooperation, natural resources, recreation and history. Ad hoc committees would each take on one of the categories to review.

“I’ve got a number of people willing to come to an initial meeting but don’t want to commit just yet,” Vogel said.

She said they first want to know how long the process will take before making a commitment.

During the last two years, four people in town who were committed to the community and faithfully served on such committees have died, Gill said.

“These people are no longer with us, so we’re trying to get some more people to get going on this,” he said.

Gill said the town raised $30,000 to update the comprehensive plan two years ago, but nothing has been done until now. That money has been carried forward each year in the budget, he said.

Chris Huck, the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments planning director, said he is waiting for the town to find enough people to serve on the committees before he can move forward.

Gill said public hearings, called “vision meetings,” will be scheduled so residents can say what they think are important aspects of the community that should be preserved.

The town would have to vote on the proposed plan revision eventually, and it would be subject to State Planning Office approval.

Those interested in serving on one of the comprehensive planning committees should call the Town Office at 495-2258. The 1998 Belgrade Comprehensive Plan can be found on the town website, www.townofbelgrade.com.

Mechele Cooper — 621-5663

[email protected]