New committees are forming and the community is pulling together to reshape the town of Berwick into a destination that people will want to visit, rather than a place people go to work.
Already the town is experiencing new occurrences as a result of a great need within the community. The younger generation has taken up partnership with the older generation to form a new vision for the town. The committee, Downtown Vision Committee (DVC), was formed several months ago in September of 2012. The co-chairs are 33 year old Jessica Sheldon and senior Frank Underwood. Together, they are forming new visions from old roots.
“The final project goal of the committee is to achieve a report to supply to the selectman in which they can use as a master plan in 2014,” said Frank Underwood at the June 3 committee meeting.
Achieving a report has involved a lot of research and community outreach. The town generated a survey that was given to every citizen, asking what they would like to see happen in Berwick. Out of the 3,200 surveys that were sent out, the committee obtained 500 responses. However, most of the people that chose to take part in the survey were over 60 years in age.
“We were very happy with the results,” said Frank Underwood. “However, we are trying to get everyone to understand that their opinion counts.”
According to the committee, the Prime Tanning site has been classified as a Brownfield site, which means it may qualify for funding through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to Underwood, the town could receive up to $400,000 for each parcel of land that qualifies. Currently, it is believed that the Prime Tanning property could be divided into three separate parcels, accumulating up to $1,200,000 in funds.
“The site is very developable,” said Underwood. “Its condition is not insurmountable.”
The current owner of Prime Tanning is undergoing bankruptcy procedures, which are expected to reach completion by year's end. The future for the site is still very much undetermined. It is possible that a developer, or a non-profit agency, or even the town could acquire the property. Whatever the case, the DVC has already taken an important step in its redevelopment by obtaining a clear definition of what the townspeople would like to see in their hometown.
Although, its main focus is defining a future for the Prime Tanning site, the DVC is also exploring other options for enhancing downtown Berwick. There has also been a significant amount of time and energy spent into the possibility of developing a trail system that would run along the Salmon Falls River. This would allow for recreational activities such as hiking, camping and canoeing to become part Berwick’s new identity.
“There are so many hidden gems that we have turned our backs on because we were a factory town for so long,” said committee member Serena Galleshaw. “We really have a blank slate here and that’s a great opportunity to have.”
What would you like to see drawn on an empty slate like this?
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A trail system along the way river is a great idea.
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