M.M. Tirion
In 2011 the newly elected, then-Mayor Steve Yugartis began a lively campaign to update the 2001-20011 Comprehensive Development Plan, a list of suggestions to guide development in the village of Potsdam, with a new vision. After 18 months of consultations, discussions, inquiries and strategizing, an effective 37-page doc became the new beacon for village planning. That doc expired last year. It may be perused as the first item under documents at bottom of screen vi.potsdam.ny.us/content/Boards/View/1
Having a Comprehensive Plan makes the business of running a local municipality that much less difficult, as it prioritizes the many issues facing a municipality and therefore enables more effective decision-making. It also helps municipalities to have an up-to-date Comprehensive Plan in order to receive funding: State and Federal agencies are reassured when a munis is able to point to effective long-term plans that guide their growths.
The 2012-2022 Potsdam Village Comprehensive Plan included 125 policy recommendations with respect to Municipal Government and Finance; Land Use; Public Facilities and Services (including General Policies, Sewer, Water, Storm-Water, Streets & Sidewalks, Police, Fire, Airfield, Civic Center, Museum, Hydrodams, and Forestry); Economic Development; Transportation; Housing; Recreation; and Environmental Remediation. Many suggestions have been effectively dealt with, many have not.
The question before the village board is how to craft a new Comprehensive Plan. One suggestion is to adapt the 2012-2022 document to fit today’s issues, a quick and inexpensive approach. Another would be to attempt another community-wide outreach effort, similar to 2011 when a 16-member commitee worked with village staff to draft a new set of guidelines for future planning. Another option is to hire an outside firm to do this work for us, professionally, but at a higher cost. Professional firms have experience and might be able to organize better responses.
Personally, I wonder whether we should wait till a new Mayor is installed 1 December, who would bring a new vision for Potsdam? Pubic comments always welcome at the Board Meetings; the next one being tonight Monday 20 March at 6 pm in the Civic Center Board room.
Local Government Matters 
I would like to see a check off list. What were the items on this previous plan, how many were effectively checked off? Are the goals expressed then still relevant today? What are new necesseties?
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The document is available to read at this link: http://vi.potsdam.ny.us/content/Boards/View/1 including all 125 recommendations on pages 13-39. Reading through the list of suggestions, it’s easy to see where progress was made and which were ignored. If you would like to sit in on a Comprehensive Review Committee, let me or one of the other board members know, and we will add your name to the list of volunteers who will guide the process. No dates have been set, no decisions have yet been made as to who oversees the process and whether to hire some outside help
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