At the November 3 meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to see scale drawings of possible dike replacement options, learn about the discussions of the project committee, and share feedback, local knowledge, and priorities.
A free dinner will be served at the meeting, and childcare will be provided to make participation easier for families. While registration is not required, RSVPs are encouraged for planning purposes. Visit bit.ly/umbmprsvp to register.
“We’ve done so much hard work in our leadership and steering committee meetings. Now I’m excited to spend this evening with the public to hear everyone’s thoughts, feelings, and questions about the future of the Machias Dike,” said Machias Town Manager Sarah Craighead Dedmon. “It’s an issue that matters to all of us.”
Hannah Rice is the chair of the project leadership committee. She said, “As a representative of the landowners who have been haunted by this looming issue for decades, my hope in serving on this committee has been to give a voice to those who are most affected by whatever decision is ultimately made. I hope that through this process that voice is heard.”
The Upper Machias Bay Master Plan is a community-engaged planning effort, and is focused on building a healthy, resilient, and prosperous future for Upper Machias Bay. The project, which will create recommendations and identify next steps, is focused on promoting civil public conversations about crucial issues such as options for the Machias Dike replacement project and flood protection for the downtown commercial district, as well as ideas for improving and maintaining water quality and natural resources in the bay while keeping businesses open and traffic moving.
The project involves all of the communities surrounding Machias Bay, including Machias, Marshfield, Machiasport, East Machias, Roque Bluffs and Cutler. Over the past nine months, more than 40 local leaders and stakeholders from surrounding towns, businesses, landowners, and conservation groups have been working together as part of the Upper Machias Bay Master Plan Leadership Committee to develop a shared vision for the region.
If you are unable to attend this meeting, you can provide your feedback through a survey on the SCEC website: sunrisecounty.org/machiasbay. There, you can also learn more about the Master Plan, including shared goals, leadership committee members, and previous meeting notes.
This is the second in a series of public meetings. The next meeting will be on December 10th and will focus on downtown flooding and water quality.
Please reach out to Tora Johnson, Co-Director, Sustainable Prosperity Initiative at Sunrise County Economic Council with questions via email or phone: (207) 271-2175.
