Following a discussion last month with Presumpscot Regional Land Trust representatives about renaming the Lowell Preserve and East Windham Conservation Area, along with managing future development of those recreation areas, members of the Windham Town Council voted unanimously on Jan. 27 to establish an East Windham Steering Committee to oversee those sites.
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| From left, Windham Town Council members Katie Cook, Maggie Terry, David Nadeau and Mark Morrison discuss a proposal to establish an East Windham Steering Committee to oversee recreational properties at Lowell Preserve and the East Windham Conservation Area in conjunction with the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE |
“This steering committee meets the concerns that I’ve heard of,” Burns said.
Membership of the new committee will consist of not fewer than seven, and not more than 11 volunteers from local businesses, civic organizations, town government and the general population, and will work in cooperation with the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust (PRLT), and Town of Windham Director of Parks and Recreation, and other town employees designated to assist.
Burns said that committee members shall not be required to be residents of the town, but be able to demonstrate a connection by residence, employment, business interest, or other civic and community organization affiliation.
Among the committee members may include, but not be limited to, representatives of the following outdoor recreation, education, economic development, public health, and conservation interests including a member of the Town Council; a Windham Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee member; a Windham Natural Resource Advisory Committee member; a member from the Windham Economic Development Corporation; a member of the Greater Portland Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association; a member of the Windham Drifters Snowmobile Club; a member of the RSU 14 Katahdin Program; a member of the Little Duck Pond Road Association; a member of the public with interest and experience in hunting; and up to two members of the public with interest and experience in hunting, trail running, hiking, education, public health, conservation or nature education.
According to Burns, the committee’s responsibilities will be to seek public input and recommend a new name that unifies the shared character and use of property; to develop an Request for Proposal and select a firm to assist in the establishment of a Master Plan to guide the town and the land trust in the development and management of this property for the years to come.
He said committee members will also assist the selected firm in the development of the Master Plan for the sites, present the recommended plan to the Windham Town Council for adoption, and meet at least once a year, or as needed, after the Master Plan has been adopted, to review the plan and progress, provide feedback to the Windham Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, and to ensure the property continues to have broad collaboration.
In the outline approved by the council, the East Windham Steering Committee shall select a Chairperson from its membership, which should not be the Windham Town Council representative. The Chair shall have the authority to convene meetings of the committee, which shall be conducted in accordance with Maine’s Freedom of Access Law with due notice to its members.
The East Windham Steering Committee shall adopt other reasonable rules of procedure as may be necessary for the efficient conduct of its business while allowing for public accountability and due process, Burns said.
After a brief discussion, councilors opted to defer making a choice of whom to nominate to represent the council on the committee until its Feb.10 meeting.
Among other topics and presentations, councilors also voted to appoint Melissa Young of Windham, who currently is an alternate to the Windham Planning Board, to fill the existing Planning Board vacancy. She will serve until the term ends on Feb. 15, 2027. <
Membership of the new committee will consist of not fewer than seven, and not more than 11 volunteers from local businesses, civic organizations, town government and the general population, and will work in cooperation with the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust (PRLT), and Town of Windham Director of Parks and Recreation, and other town employees designated to assist.
Burns said that committee members shall not be required to be residents of the town, but be able to demonstrate a connection by residence, employment, business interest, or other civic and community organization affiliation.
Among the committee members may include, but not be limited to, representatives of the following outdoor recreation, education, economic development, public health, and conservation interests including a member of the Town Council; a Windham Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee member; a Windham Natural Resource Advisory Committee member; a member from the Windham Economic Development Corporation; a member of the Greater Portland Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association; a member of the Windham Drifters Snowmobile Club; a member of the RSU 14 Katahdin Program; a member of the Little Duck Pond Road Association; a member of the public with interest and experience in hunting; and up to two members of the public with interest and experience in hunting, trail running, hiking, education, public health, conservation or nature education.
According to Burns, the committee’s responsibilities will be to seek public input and recommend a new name that unifies the shared character and use of property; to develop an Request for Proposal and select a firm to assist in the establishment of a Master Plan to guide the town and the land trust in the development and management of this property for the years to come.
He said committee members will also assist the selected firm in the development of the Master Plan for the sites, present the recommended plan to the Windham Town Council for adoption, and meet at least once a year, or as needed, after the Master Plan has been adopted, to review the plan and progress, provide feedback to the Windham Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, and to ensure the property continues to have broad collaboration.
In the outline approved by the council, the East Windham Steering Committee shall select a Chairperson from its membership, which should not be the Windham Town Council representative. The Chair shall have the authority to convene meetings of the committee, which shall be conducted in accordance with Maine’s Freedom of Access Law with due notice to its members.
The East Windham Steering Committee shall adopt other reasonable rules of procedure as may be necessary for the efficient conduct of its business while allowing for public accountability and due process, Burns said.
After a brief discussion, councilors opted to defer making a choice of whom to nominate to represent the council on the committee until its Feb.10 meeting.
Among other topics and presentations, councilors also voted to appoint Melissa Young of Windham, who currently is an alternate to the Windham Planning Board, to fill the existing Planning Board vacancy. She will serve until the term ends on Feb. 15, 2027. <
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