As the Carlisle Borough develops its first ever strategic plan, officials seek input from the community.
Three public outreach sessions will allow residents to provide feedback and comments to aid in the creation of the plan, which aims to address the long-term missions, visions, goals and strategies in the community, borough officials said in a news release Thursday.
The sessions are scheduled for:
- 6-7:30 p.m. March 22 at Stuart Community Center, 415 Franklin St.
- 10:30 a.m. to noon March 23 at Stuart Community Center
- 5 to 6:30 p.m. March 23 at Bosler Memorial Library, 158 W. High St.
Anyone who is unable to attend the sessions can complete an online survey on Engage Carlisle, the borough’s community engagement platform, beginning March 24.
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“This first ever strategic plan for Carlisle will be a guiding document for our community,” Carlisle Mayor Sean Shultz said. “Whether at the in-person sessions or online, our fellow residents’ input is vital because it will help form the building blocks of the future of our borough.”
The borough contracted with planning consultant Raftelis in August to help facilitate a community-informed strategic planning process, with the goal of developing a plan to help guide borough activities in the coming years, the news release said.
That process began with Raftelis working with the borough council, management and staff, who had the chance to submit confidential surveys providing input about strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities in the community. The survey also examined potential mission and values statements, the news release said.
Raftelis also met with council members to examine initiatives on the horizon and held focus groups with board and commission chairs and the Downtown Carlisle Organization.
Officials said the information gathered was analyzed and summarized and additional data, including demographic data, financial trends, housing and business and workforce information, was also collected. This was presented during a public planning session that took place March 11.
The next step includes community involvement, the news release said.
Carlisle Fire Chief Randy O'Donnell explains how crews responded to a September apartment fire, saving a burn victim as well as a father and son who were on the third floor of the building. Four officers as well as an unknown citizen who stepped forward to help during the scene were recognized during the Carlisle Borough Council's March 9 meeting and awarded the Medal of Merit for their actions. O'Donnell said the award is given in firefighting or rescue operations for individuals' acts of intelligent thinking and bravery while saving or attempting to save others' lives with moderate to low risk to themselves.
Maddie Seiler is a news reporter for The Sentinel and cumberlink.com covering Carlisle and Newville. You can contact her at mseiler@cumberlink.com and follow her on Twitter at: @SeilerMadalyn
