Just how vital does the town center have to be? In all the years that committees have been meeting to figure out how to revitalize the town center, the center just quietly continues to be a hub of social, cultural, educational, and even modest commercial activity. The town’s schools, churches, government offices, and library are there. Parades march and festivals celebrate around the Common. The General Store is coming back. Our local newspaper has set up shop. Without much help from committees, town center is becoming more lively. All that’s needed now is a small coffee shop—and the septic capacity to support it and the churches and municipal buildings currently in the center. We don’t believe that much else is needed.

We’ve seen lots of studies and some fits and starts; now let’s see some effective action.