FARMINGTON — Selectmen on Tuesday unanimously approved a final draft of the Downtown Development Plan.
Two amendments were added based on suggestions made during a fourth workshop held at 4 p.m. Tuesday with plan author John Holden, Town Manager Richard Davis and Selectmen Joshua Bell and Jessica Berry, along with a few citizens.
Those attending the workshop voiced concerns about the plan’s proposal to hire an events coordinator. They also wanted to consider a parking lot or parking structure.
Infrastructure and brick-and-mortar projects, including sidewalks and streetlights, are what business owners want to see, not funding for a paid events coordinator, downtown business owner John Moore said.
“It’s not the time to add a salaried cheerleader,” he said.
Moore responded to the plan’s suggestion that “the community may consider contracting for an event coordinator for any or all of the downtown (and community) events.
Those present considered changing the wording to “consider creating a committee of volunteers” to help organize, budget and implement events.
The contracted professional event coordinator was stricken from the plan, Holden told the board.
Moore also discussed the plan’s wording regarding the need for a parking structure or garage and suggested that it read “parking structure or lot” for additional parking opportunities.
Selectman Andrew Hufnagel asked how other towns make changes to their plans.
Holden assured him that the town now has a plan that can be amended, but the town isn’t required by law to implement anything in the plan. He suggested an annual review of the document.
The town needed the plan to establish a downtown tax-increment financing district.
Selectmen hired Eaton Peabody Consulting Group last summer to create a plan and a TIF district. Holden was working for Eaton Peabody at the time. After concerns were raised about the initial plan, three public workshops were held prior to Tuesday’s workshop.
Last month, selectmen approved paying Holden an extra $1,000 to revise and streamline the plan.
The revised plan defines a broader downtown Farmington, acknowledges that volunteers will be needed to accomplish its goals and lists specific activities to pursue. Some brick-and-mortar projects considered in the plan include a recreational bridge over the Sandy River, downtown public restrooms, streetlights, sidewalks and a parking garage or lot.
Programs include a signature event, branding, signs, continued bus tours, a shop-local campaign and a downtown cultural center.
abryant@sunjournal.com
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