The Comprehensive Plan/Freedom Planning Board Combined Committee was given the go-ahead by the town at its annual town meeting to begin the second and final phase of creating the Comprehensive Plan for Freedom. Funding was provided to the committee for hiring Fred Snow of KVCOG (Kennebec Valley Council of Governments) as consultant to the town for the express purpose of finishing the comprehensive plan. The Comprehensive Plan Committee has worked with Fred since April, 2009 on phase one of the plan, and plans to bring a final plan to the 2011 Freedom Town Meeting for anticipated acceptance. At least one hearing on the proposed plan will precede town meeting.

All of the meetings are open to the public. The Joint Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month immediately following the 6:p.m Planning Board meeting at the Freedom Town Office.

On Tuesday evening, April 13, they will be discussing the planned conservation activities of the land trust, Friends of Unity Wetlands, for Freedom’s share of the Kennebec Watershed. Jennifer Irving, executive director of Friends of Unity Wetlands, will share their plans with us. At a subsequent meeting Dave Bridge’s plan to have a representative of the Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance come and share their plans for the Sheepscot Watershed in Freedom. Fred Snow will also be there at this initial Phase Two meeting.

The Comprehensive Plan Committee is now into Phase Two of our two-year plan. Members of the CPC have volunteered for the following sub-committees and seek more input from volunteers in town. Please look over the list of sub-committees and choose one or more to help us with. Just call the Chair of that committee, call me (Dave Bridges 382-6221) or anyone you wish on the Comprehensive Plan Committee and let us know how you wish to help.
 
Additional assistance from you would be very helpful as the CPC develops policies and strategies to meet the planning goals.  We will gather some information (mostly local) for our consultant who will combine local and state inventories to begin constructing the Plan.  We are looking for your ideas and guidance as policies and strategies are developed around planning goals.  Would you join one of the subcommittees below to help in this worthy process?  They will typically meet once a month.
 
 
CPC/PB Sub-committees
 
1. Water Resources, Agriculture / Forestry Resources, and, Critical Natural             Resources
            Chair, Prentice Grassi            (382-6300)
                        Glen Bridges, Dave Bridges (382-6221)                   
 
2. Economy
            Chair, Kevin Malady (382-6497)
                        Bill Pickford
 
3. Public Facilities
            Chair, Bill Pickford (542- 9906)
                        Dave Bridges
 
4. Land Use
            Chair, Lainie Kertesz (382-6234)