MILFORD — Nearly 20 Milford residents met last week with the village's Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee to help develop goals they hope will lead them to realize their Vision Statement.

On Thursday, Thoma Development Consultants, the firm contracted by Milford to complete the comprehensive plan, presented the public with goals that it felt would help the village make its Vision Statement a reality.

The goals were broken down into five categories, including business district development, planning and regulation, recreation and public services, residential issues and transportation and infrastructure issues.

Suggested goals included encouraging small business development and working to retain existing businesses, preserving the unique historic and cultural characteristics that define Milford as a diverse, progressive community and providing efficient and progressive community and municipal services.

The public was given the opportunity to see the goals presented by Thoma and fine-tune them to their liking.

The new goals will be included in the draft of the Comprehensive Plan, said Steering Committee Chairman, Kevin Stevens.

At the end of the meeting, Thoma, the Steering Committee and residents began to brainstorm specific projects that they would like to see take place in the community.

Stevens said residents are eager to begin planning specific changes in Milford. Last week's meeting, he said, was designed to help the public prioritize their goals and focus on the key issues in the community in a broader sense. Once the goals are in place, it will be time to focus on more specific issues and projects, he said.

"This is a longer process than I think everyone realized, but it is going well," Stevens said. "This is a very important and vital part of the process. We really appreciate everyone coming out."

Stevens said the specific projects will also be included in the final draft of the Comprehensive Plan.

Wesley Pettee, Thoma's Program Manager and Planner for the project, said he was happy with the turnout at last week's meeting. He said Thoma and the Steering Committee advertised the meeting weeks in advance, posting a message on the village fire department's sign, going door-to-door and sending flyers out in the mail.

In the meantime, Thoma has begun writing sections of the Comprehensive Plan's first draft. Stevens said the Steering Committee is working on setting the date for its next meeting with Thoma sometime in January.

Pettee said Thoma has also hired subconsultants Ken and Cindy Teter to look at the issues presently facing Milford and to make suggestions and renderings of how Milford might look when the changes are completed. The Teters will focus on Milford's infrastructure, including its roads and streets, parks, buildings and businesses.

The Teters work out of Homer, New York, close to Cortland, where Thoma is located.

Stevens said more public meetings should be expected in the future. Once the first draft is finished, the public will be invited to view it and give its input.

Pettee said copies of the first draft will be available throughout the community, including the village library.

The first draft of the Comprehensive Plan is expected to be completed in March, said Stevens. The final draft is hoped to be accepted by the village in April, he said.

For updates on the project, visit Thoma's website at www.thomadevelopment.com/customers/profiles/village-milford.html.