Wells has the culture, lifestyle, and natural setting of a traditional New England town, and these features have made it a popular destination for summer visitors and new year-round residents. In order to find ways to accommodate this growth without losing the very character that draws people to Wells in the first place, the town is partnering with Maine Sea Grant, Wells Reserve, U.S. EPA and others to hold a community design workshop for the "Gateway" area from Route 109 to the Route 1 intersection. The design workshop, to be held Sept 18, 19, 20 in Wells, will provide an opportunity for Wells citizens and visitors to share their ideas for meeting the needs of a growing population while retaining the town’s unique assets. Residents and visitors also are encouraged to complete a brief survey that will be available at the Town Hall and the Wells Public Library from August 18 through September 4.

While the guiding principles for the workshop originate in Wells' comprehensive plan, such plans can be hard to implement on the ground. To help move from vision to reality, Wells joined forces with Maine Sea Grant and the Wells Reserve to apply for the EPA's Smart Growth Implementation Assistance Program. Wells’ project was selected from a competitive pool of more than 40 applicants.

"We selected the Wells project because of the national significance of their problem: how can the town grow while protecting natural resources? It is an issue facing many localities throughout the country and the options that will be developed for the town of Wells could be used elsewhere," said Lynn Richards of the EPA.

A technical assistance team will spend four days in September working with community members to create plans for the growing Gateway area. This area, which runs from the Wells Transportation Center at Route 109 to the intersection of Route 1, provides a unique setting for this type of design workshop. Not only is the Route 109/1 intersection the historical commercial center of the town, but it also has exceptional natural assets, including Depot Brook, a wild trout stream.

Brook trout populations are dwindling everywhere, and Maine represents the largest amount of intact brook trout habitat in the eastern U.S., although it is especially rare to find the fish in an urbanized area such as the Gateway. The town wants to demonstrate that sensitive species and economic prosperity can coexist, but they need input from local residents and visitors.

"This is an important part of the town of Wells, and represents an opportunity for us to show that we can maintain growth, and preserve natural resources at the same time," said Scott DeFelice, chairman of the Wells Board of Selectmen, "The area near Route 109 serves as one of our gateways, remains somewhat undeveloped, and is therefore available to be managed for the good of all."

For more information about the Wells Gateway Community Design Workshop, please contact project coordinator Cindy Dabrowski Kennie cindy@sdanalysis.com or outreach coordinator Kristen Whiting-Grant or call 207-205-5758.