Houlton plans transportation forum Residents asked to comment on range of concerns for future projects

HOULTON – There are several voluminous reports around town that deal with local and regional transportation, stacked on desks and squeezed between books on office shelves.

Whether it is the town’s comprehensive plan, the master plan for Houlton International Airport or the municipality’s economic development and strategic marketing plan, each report touches upon transit issues often facing the town and Aroostook County as a whole.

But it is not often that residents get the opportunity to speak candidly regarding concerns they have about all types of transportation, including planes, trains and automobiles, to a group of officials who are working to enhance Aroostook’s economic viability.

Such comments are the type of contribution that residents are invited to bring forth Tuesday, April 18, when the town and the Northern Maine Development Commission tag-team to host an hour-long forum on transportation.

The session is designed to help the town and NMDC in “surfacing, prioritizing and coordinating” with the Maine Department of Transportation on potential transportation projects in Aroostook County that officials say can affect the region’s economy and general well-being.

Don Keiser, Houlton’s grant writer and planning administrator, said Friday that he is hoping everyone will attend and offer insight on the issues being discussed.

“The residents of Houlton need to have their voices heard on issues such as road conditions, the north-south highway issue, and maintenance of rail service,” he said. “We need to let the MDOT know through NMDC what we need here and what we would like to see done.”

Keiser said the discussion will be informal and can include topics such as truck weight limits, air cargo, public transportation and rail service.

The focus need not be limited to Aroostook County, according to Keiser. Those in attendance may also talk about how the area can better position itself in the event of an east-west highway to the south or benefit from the swelling significance of the Port of Halifax.

The forum will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Houlton Town Council Chambers.