NEWFANE — More than 50 people showed up at a community forum convened by the Newfane Planning Commission to discuss a vision for Newfane's future.
Those present expressed their ideas in writing and spoke up during the meeting to voice concerns, recommendations, hopes, and dreams. The Planning Commission says the information gathered will help them structure the 2018 rewrite of the Town Plan.
The Town Plan update will be funded by a newly-awarded $8,000 Municipal Planning Grant from the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development. Newfane is among 38 communities across Vermont to be awarded such a grant.
Guest speaker Caitlin Corkins, state grants coordinator from the Department of Housing and Community Development, spoke at the forum about Village Center Designation and answered questions about tax credits and grants for village centers.
In June, the town was awarded Village Center Designation status for the villages of South Newfane, Williamsville, and Newfane.
In a continuing outreach effort, residents, business owners, employees, students, and others are invited to participate in a townwide survey.
The survey is available until Dec. 15 by clicking on the link “Planning Commission Survey ”on the town's website www.NewfaneVT.com. It takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Paper copies are available in the Town Office, library and post offices and can be dropped off at the Town Office when complete.
For more information, contact Lynn Forrest of the Newfane Planning Commission at 802-348-7984, or [email protected].