Model Town Community Project

For the past three years, GrowSmart Maine has been talking with the leaders and residents of Maine communities about the increasing growth pressures that many towns are facing. We've learned that many towns feel unprepared to deal with these often rapid changes in a way that is both effective and fair. We've also found that where residents are more fully engaged in shaping the vision of a town's future, fewer problems arise when it comes time to implement changes or enact ordinances.

We initiated the Model Town Community Project to provide tools and advice that will help a growing Maine town shape its future. The project will mobilize local, state and regional resources, enable local leaders to explore new growth strategies, and fully engage local residents by combining the best elements of New England town meetings with groundbreaking new technologies.

Model Town News

On Wednesday, May 9th, the GrowSmart Maine Board of Directors endorsed the selection of Standish as the Model Town Project community.

Visit www.GrowSmartMaine.org/Standish to learn more about our work.

Press coverage:

Portland Press Herald: Standish Gets A Hand In Controlling Growth. Sept. 17, 2007.

Standish has a population of about 10,000, with a seasonal population influx due to its location on Sebago Lake. Standish adopted and received state approval for a new comprehensive plan in 2006. The plan has identified 4 growth areas, transitional and low growth areas, and critical resource areas. There is a differential growth cap in place, and the town has recently begun a Village Design Study for the area around the intersection of Routes 25 and 35.

Standish was selected for GrowSmart Maine's Model Town Project in part because of their readiness to implement their new Comprehensive Plan.

Click here to email the Model Town Community Project Coordinator