PORTLAND - As part of the creation of a new comprehensive plan under way in the town of Portland, residents of the town are being given an opportunity to share their opinion on community issues by completing an online survey.
The online survey is part of the planning process being undertaken by a seven-member community steering committee and Small Town Planning Services, a local consulting firm based in Westfield, on behalf of the town of Portland and its residents.
The results from the survey will help ensure that the plan developed for the town accurately reflects the issues, concerns, and goals of its residents. Residents' views regarding what they like about Portland; what they want to see improved; and what they want Portland to be like in the future are critical to the success of the planning process.
"The survey results will help us to further develop the town's vision and goals," explains Small Town Planning Services owner Don McCord. "Our task will then be to work with the steering committee to use the community inventory data, and survey input, to identify practical strategies to help achieve the community's vision."
Anyone who lives in the town of Portland, including the village of Brocton, or who owns a business or property in the town, may complete a survey. Survey responses will be confidential and are anonymous. The online survey program utilized does not identify whose computer is utilized or from which IP address a survey is sent.
Steering Committee Chairperson Bob Patterson is hoping for a strong response rate. "This is your town," he stated. "Please complete the survey so we know what you want your town to be in the next 5-10 years. The more residents that complete the survey, the more confident we can be that our comprehensive plan in on the right track."
The online survey is expected to take residents approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and will be available online until Dec. 7.
The survey can be accessed via a link on the town of Portland website at: www.town.portland.ny.us or may be found at portlandsurvey2012.questionpro.com
For those without Internet access, paper versions of the survey will be available at the Town Hall and at the Ahira Hall Memorial Library.
All completed paper surveys must be returned to the Town Hall or library before 4 p.m. on Dec. 4.
Questions about the survey or the comprehensive plan may be directed to Lisa Schmidtfrerick-Miller of Small Town Planning Services at (716) 969-2542 or by email at lisa@smalltownplanning.com.
