| Joanne Cole |
More than 30 residents came together Monday evening to discuss how to make New Gloucester ‘an even better community for all ages.’ Onto easels went their ideas: everything from wellness checks, childcare resources, and transportation for groceries, to recreation programming, home repairs, and speed-limit “pace cars.”
The occasion was an Age-friendly, Livable Community Listening Session organized by the volunteer group BLING (Building Livability in New Gloucester) and led by Julie Fralich.
Fralich began by introducing what’s meant by “age-friendly communities” and the term “livability.” “Livability” applies to people of all ages and includes not only housing, getting around, and outdoor spaces, but also well-being: social participation and inclusion, respect, health services and community support, information and communication, civic participation.
Conversation at the April 24 session centered on three topics that emerged as priorities in a community survey conducted last summer by BLING: “Housing,” “Getting Around” and “Health, Wellness and Community Support.” BLING volunteers served as discussion facilitators and scribes, generating and capturing the lively exchange.
Also participating was Town Manager Bill Kerbin, who shared perspectives from other communities. At wrap-up time Kerbin commented that the meeting had brought forward “a lot of great ideas.”
The goal of the gathering may have been to improve livability here, but the evening also demonstrated that community-building is alive and well in New Gloucester.
To learn more about BLING or get involved, email blingnewgloucester@gmail.com.
