A community meeting about growth in town provided a fitting finale for the brief but influential 18 months DeCarlo Brown has spent in South Berwick as director of both planning and economic development.
Five residents gathered April 8 for the third of four Planning Board-hosted public conversations on how the town should grow.
After some discussion on what kind of businesses belong in the Route 236 corridor zoned for industry, the small group agreed heavy industrial projects should be sited near Pike Industries south of Woodland Hills and mixed uses be located on the north end of the highway near downtown.
Brown, who will be leaving April 20 to take a job as director of planning and permitting in Auburn, spent his time in South Berwick jump-starting several initiatives: the Downtown Revitalization Committee, last fall’s Block Party promoting small businesses, an upcoming Spring Market, and the Planning for Change program that addresses ordinance changes that conform to new state laws.
A business incubator project Brown developed for the former UMM Shop on Main Street has been halted, according to Town Manager Tim Pellerin.
Initially titled the Neighborhood Program, the multi-vendor startup effort would have been staffed by Brown and the Planning Department’s administrative assistant, Britney Spencer, who is leaving her town position for a job at Hussey Excavation.
In addition, someone else has shown interest in renting the UMM space, Pellerin said, without offering details.
Planning Board members warmly acknowledged that Brown’s departure is a loss to the town and the board.
“He will leave a huge void,” said Tony Palazzetti, who has served on the board for two years. “In his short tenure he has done a fantastic job, and the community will miss him more than they know.”
Board member Clay Curtis said he felt like he has been participating in a Planning 101 course taught by Brown, but hasn’t finished it.
“We will miss his huge amount of knowledge,” Curtis said.
Planning Board members are more comfortable making decisions on their own than when he first arrived in town, Brown observed. He also believes the community is taking a more active role, voicing opinions and participating to a greater extent than when he started.
Brown’s advice to the next planner?
“Trust this community,” he said. “They know their town and know what they want. Listen to them.”
As far as his decision to work in Auburn, a city of nearly 26,000, Brown said, “I like to help people, and I will be able to help more people.”
