BEMUS POINT - Portions of the Bemus Point Strategic Action Plan could begin being implemented as soon as October, according to Mayor Bryan Dahlberg.
"In this plan, we really took a look at our positives, our negatives, and our future," said Mayor Bryan Dahlberg. "We're really trying to see how we can keep the small town charm - to keep the walking community intact. We have a lot of things (for people) to do here with the floating stage, the restaurants, the shops and the golf course. We still want people to think of Bemus as a little community on the lake - that's what we want to maintain. However, we have things we need to address as well, things like sidewalk issues, tree plantings and parking issues, plus a whole bunch of other things."
According to Dahlberg, the action plan is very comprehensive in nature and contains strategies which are to take place over a short, intermediate and long term.
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For example, action two of strategy five listed in the plan, which is "require trees planted along the lakeshore to be canopy varieties that, at maturity, will not block the viewsheds of the lake" is considered to be a short-term goal, because it should take no longer than two years to complete.
Action one of strategy two, which is "develop landscaping design guidelines as part of the commercial guidelines" is considered a medium-term goal, because it is estimated to take three to five years to complete.
Finally, action three of strategy four, which is "provide period style lighting along Main Street and Lakeside Drive in the core areas" is considered a long-term goal, because it is estimated to take five to 10 years to complete.
And though Bemus Point's Strategic Action Plan has been nominated for awards at both the local and state level because of how well-written and comprehensive it is, Dahlberg admits that much can change over the course of 10 years.
"You want to stick to the plan as well as you possibly can because the plan is excellent, but maybe some of it is never going to get done," said Dahlberg. "We want to jump into this with both feet and a very positive attitude ... we have trustees on a tree committee who will help and we're going to try to gather some residents who are willing to donate their time. With enough help, maybe we can execute this plan exactly how it is written up."
One aspect of the plan that Dahlberg believes will help with its execution is the fact that it has been so well received and has been nominated for so many awards.
"We're hoping that maybe (these awards) will help us with some grants," said Dahlberg. "Grants can be difficult to get sometimes, but these awards (should help add to our credibility)."
Dahlberg said that before the initial phases of the plan will begin to be implemented, the village of Bemus Point is currently looking to put together a few a few diverse committees to help with the plan's execution.
"What we're looking at doing is we're hoping to find a representative from the village board, the planning board and the zoning board," said Dahlberg. "I would like members from the business community as well. There is a relatively active Retail Business Association and we'd like to get their input. Finally, we're looking to find some interested residents, maybe as many as a half a dozen, who will sit down with us and help. We don't want to change things, we want to stick to the plan, but we want people who will help out with that. We want everyone to be represented: seniors, parents and maybe some single residents. I've had some people volunteer already, so I don't think this will be hard to put together. Now that we're past the summer season and things have quieted down here in Bemus Point, I think it's time to get busy and get the wheels turning."
Dahlberg will travel to Albany on Sept. 20 to receive an award from the American Planning Association for the Bemus Point Strategic Action Plan.
To view the Bemus Point Strategic Action Plan in its entirety, visit www.bemuspointny.org.