Stonington seeks volunteers to update comprehensive plan
Revised comprehensive plan to guide the town’s development for years to come
March 16, 2026
By staff
STONINGTON—The town of Stonington is seeking residents to help shape its long-term future after receiving a state grant to update the community’s comprehensive plan, a key document used to guide development, infrastructure and economic planning.
Town officials announced in a March 9 press release that Stonington has been awarded a Community Action Grant through Maine’s Community Resilience Partnership program. The funding will support an update of the town’s comprehensive plan, which was adopted by voters at the 2018 town meeting and has guided local planning for the past eight years.
The comprehensive plan has played a major role in helping Stonington pursue funding and planning initiatives related to its working waterfront, housing and economic stability in the fishing industry, according to town officials.
“Our comprehensive plan is acknowledged to be one of the strongest and most effective in the state,” Stonington town manager Kathleen Billings said. “We had the right expertise at the table then, and we look forward to having it now when we most need it to be resilient in the face of changes.”
Officials say the update is necessary because of changes in Stonington’s coastal environment, population trends and economic conditions, as well as new data gathered in recent studies such as sea level rise research and an economic resiliency strategy addressing the impacts of potential federal whale protection regulations.
A comprehensive plan outlines a community’s long-term goals and strategies, typically looking five, 10 or 20 years into the future. Plans consider local history, demographic trends and economic conditions, while also capturing what residents want to preserve or change in their town.
Municipal officials use the plans as a guide for policy decisions, zoning and infrastructure planning.
Keeping the document up to date can also help towns qualify for major state and federal funding programs. Stonington officials say past planning work has helped support projects such as improvements to Oceanville Road, work on the town’s working waterfront and upgrades to public infrastructure including docks, causeways, water systems and wastewater systems.
The town has contracted with the Hancock County Planning Commission to lead the update process, which is expected to be completed later this year.
At a March 3 meeting of the Stonington Economic Development Committee, Hancock County Planning Commission Executive Director Averi Varney outlined how residents can take part in shaping the updated plan.
“Our comprehensive plan is acknowledged to be one of the strongest and most effective in the state. We had the right expertise at the table then, and we look forward to having it now when we most need it to be resilient in the face of changes.”
Residents will be invited to participate in a public visioning session and may also volunteer to serve on topic-based subcommittees. Those groups will meet several times to review data, discuss community priorities and help develop recommendations.
The subcommittees will focus on areas such as land use and local ordinances, economic development and marine resources, recreation, historic preservation, housing, transportation, health care and climate resilience.
Meetings will be offered in hybrid format, allowing residents to attend in person or remotely through Zoom.
Town officials say broad public participation will be essential to ensuring the plan reflects the priorities of residents, adding the “best work is the work that addresses real problems identified by real townspeople,” according to the press release.
The Community Resilience Partnership program provides grants and technical assistance to Maine municipalities seeking to address climate-related challenges, including stronger storms, flooding, sea level rise and public health impacts.
Residents interested in volunteering or learning more about the planning process should contact Linda Nelson, Stonington’s economic and community development director at econdev@stoningtonmaine.org or by calling the town office at (207) 367-2351.
