The town board conducted a public hearing on the plan Monday night, but will continue to accept written statements through next Wednesday.

A comprehensive plan is a road map _ a guide for future decisions, said Karen Sullivan of the Otsego County Planning Department, who assisted Cherry Valley’s Comprehensive Plan Committee in what has been an 18-month process to develop the plan.

The plan sets goals, objectives and principles for the future of the town. It is a guiding document, not a zoning document, she said. It should be updated periodically to make sure it still reflects the desires of town residents and should be consulted anytime the board is making decisions.

Most residents spoke in favor of the plan generally, but certain aspects of it did draw criticism.

Walter Buist, a member of town planning board, the comprehensive plan committee and a large land owner, expressed some concerns about the potential impact on large land owners, primarily farmers. The creation of land use districts or zones based on provisions of the plan could possibly hinder a land owner’s ability to receive fair market value for their property, he said.

He also spoke against any regulations that might be formulated in an attempt to preserve forest land that would hinder the timely harvest of forest products.

Jack Palminteri said the comprehensive plan would effectively chart the future of Cherry Valley.

``If we don’t define who we are, others will,’’ he said.,

Greg Noonan, another large land owner, said he liked the comprehensive plan, but believes the agriculture section needs to be ``looked at.’’

Farmer Dean Utter said he was concerned about many issues and over-regulation.

Richard Paige, another farmer, said he believes there is a need for a plan, but there is ``too much here that should be gone over.’’

Bob Crowe commended the effort put into developing the plan and said he believes it would help maintain the quality of life in Cherry Valley.

``I think it is a good vision for our town,’’ said Christine Cornwell, whose husband is a member of the town board.

Following the hearing, Town Supervisor Tom Garretson explained the comprehensive plan is guide for the town.

``It is something to work with. There is nothing in the plan that restricts anybody from doing anything,’’ he said.

Once a comprehensive plan is adopted, the next step will be to put in place the land use regulations the planning board would need to meet the goals in the plan. A committee will need to be formed to come up with those regulations, he said.

Andy Minnig, a founding member of the Advocates for Cherry Valley, said it is important to get as large a consensus as possible about what the community should be. We have to come together and work together to keep the town the way it is, he said.

``We have to define our own future,’’ Minnig said, adding that people need to become more involved when it comes to write land use regulations based on the plan.

Garretson said that after the May 9 deadline, the board will review all comments before making a decision on adopting the plan. He said the June town board meeting was the earliest the board would take action on the plan.