Caribou residents had a chance recently to help formulate the city’s next mission and vision statements.
In preparation for work on the 2024 to 2034 comprehensive plan, the Caribou Planning Board hosted a “Care. Envision. Do.” session at the Caribou Health and Wellness Center on Oct 26.
Residents were asked to suggest what the city should represent for residents and visitors going forward. Around 20 people discussed quality of life, the economy, recreation and health and wellness. This and further input will help city planners develop the next 10-year plan and make sure it reflects what citizens want, said meeting leader Kat Ingraham of Perham.
“We’re working to create a comprehensive plan that doesn’t just sit on a shelf,” Ingraham said.
During last year’s planning meeting, community members said quality of life, the economy and commerce, recreation, and health and wellness were the city’s important aspects. On Oct. 26, people broke off into small groups to focus on those topics, a method Ingraham called citizen-focused strategic planning.
Groups examined mission and vision statements from the 2014-2024 plan, and suggested what to keep and what to add to make the statements a better fit for the future.
At the health and wellness table, planning board members Amanda Jandreau and Karen Gorman led the discussion. Group members suggested emphasizing multiple activity choices for all ages and promoting a safe and inclusive environment as their top priorities.
Others said nurturing the body, soul and spirit was crucial, as well as making sure people can access resources for mental, economic and physical health.
Led by planning board member Eric Hitchcock, another group talked about what they’d like to see the city’s recreation plan look like.
“We do have a natural resource section in the comprehensive plan and it’s related to water quality, it’s related to agriculture and it’s related to agri-tourism,” Hitchcock said.
Developing mission and vision statements not only helps the community promote itself, but those statements are used in applying for grants and other funding opportunities, he said.
Group members discussed promoting activities across the seasons, engaging all ages, enriching the lives of residents and visitors and being a welcoming, diverse community.
Dave Corriveau and Steve Wentworth facilitated conversations on Caribou business. The planning board wants to open a light industrial park in the future so there’ll be room for businesses to start. One resident suggested Caribou develop an industrial park committee, similar to Presque Isle’s industrial council.
Residents in the quality of life group said the city should promote its family oriented community while welcoming business growth, along with its welcoming and supportive environment and personal enrichment opportunities. Planning board member Frank McElwain and City Manager Penny Thompson helped lead the discussion.
The meeting is the first of several citizen input opportunities, Ingraham said. She will compile suggestions and share them with city officials. The community will have a chance to weigh in before any statements are added to the comprehensive plan, she said.
