The Damariscotta Planning Advisory Committee's mission  is to lead a community-driven process to make the Damariscotta region a better place to live, work, play, do business and visit for all people by advancing policies and practices that foster sustainable land use and prosperity.

Further, DPAC will:

• Provide a long-range, sustainable, Smart Growth Plan for Damariscotta which integrates the community’s vision with regional vision(s).

• Determine, prioritize & serve community needs and wants.

• Promote community outreach – gather input from the public.

• Create a relational community matrix as a discussion reference document.

• Educate the community about the visioning process & alternatives.

• Build consensus; Build on community strengths.

• Create a range of housing, business, and cultural opportunities.

• Make development decisions predictable, fair, & cost effective, using the matrix as a touchstone.

• Conduct ongoing SWAT Analysis.

• Make use of existing planning material (i.e., Gateway 1)

• Develop realistic milestones & time frames to accomplish objectives.

• Integrate sustainable land use regulations with economic development processes.

• Encourage stakeholder involvement.

• Integrate with neighboring town visions/plans & Provide regional guidance; Inspire other communities.

• Develop a visioning plan; create sub-committees to implement specific portions of plan.

• Compose a hierarchy of plans.

• Document the process.

• Celebrate the effort & recognize stakeholder contributions.

Part II:

• Foster a community visioning process.

• Establish and maintain on-going long range strategic planning and monitor implementation.

• Incorporate and promote public dialogue about community, regional planning and recommend implementation strategies.

• • Provide community outreach; promote, facilitate and incorporate public dialogue in ongoing planning efforts.