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Vinalhaven planners vote to weave resilience into comprehensive plan, pursue $75,000 grant
Summary
The Vinalhaven Planning Commission voted unanimously May 4 to incorporate resilience across a rewrite of the town Comprehensive Plan and to apply for a $75,000 Community Action Grant; members set a compressed review timeline ahead of the June 5 grant deadline.
The Vinalhaven Planning Commission voted unanimously May 4 to incorporate resilience into a rewrite of the town’s Comprehensive Plan and to apply for a $75,000 Community Action Grant to help fund the work.
Wes Reed, chair of the Vinalhaven Planning Commission, opened discussion by urging that the plan be made “something everyone wants to see and use.” Chuck Gadzik, a commission member, called the existing plan “unapproachable” and moved that resilience be woven through the document and that the commission apply for the Community Action Grant; Elin Elisofon (secretary) seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: commissioners said a readable, community-focused plan would guide ordinance updates and make town goals clearer to residents and businesses. Dan Debrod and Clare Oxford of the Midcoast Regional Council of Governments told the commission the grant can fund climate-related outreach, engagement, facilities, infrastructure and capital improvement planning. “Community resilience covers everything, not only environmental needs but town and business needs as well,” Dan Debrod said.
The commission agreed a short timetable will apply: the grant application is due June 5; members will receive the text of the application 10 days before the deadline and will have about 3–4 days to comment. Gabe McPhail volunteered to work with Clare Oxford and Dan Debrod on the grant application and to coordinate with Town Manager Marjorie Stratton on a submittal portal.
Budget context: the Community Action Grant award is $75,000, which commissioners said should more than cover the Comprehensive Plan work if awarded. Separately, Town Manager Marjorie Stratton said she has secured a $15,000 grant to adopt new housing legislation into the ordinance, and she has provisionally budgeted $15,000 for Comprehensive Plan work to present at Town Meeting if the Community Action Grant is not awarded.
Next steps: staff and regional partners will prepare the grant text and circulate it to commissioners for rapid review ahead of the June 5 due date. The commission also scheduled a follow-up meeting for June 3 at 4:30 p.m. so the CEO can attend and review outstanding ordinance questions.
The commission adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
