Review to help guide Athol's future

ATHOL — Now is a chance to have a say in Athol's future.

The city was chosen for an Idaho Rural Partnership program that helps rural towns identify future needs in the areas of economic development, transportation, infrastructure and land-use planning.

"We're having an identity problem," said Mayor Bob Wachter, who became mayor in January. "We have a relatively new mayor and council this year, so we want to get a thumb on what the people who live in and around the city would like to see.

"We have been standing still for about 20 years and nobody wanted to annex or talk about it."

But times are changing.

Two major recent projects that have come to Athol include the U.S. 95 overpass and developer Hughes Investments plans to annex 37 acres east of U.S. 95 near the northwest corner of Highway 54 and Howard Road into The Crossings commercial area.

To obtain the pulse of what Athol-area residents want the future of the city to look like, a town hall meeting will be held tonight at 7 at the Athol Community Center, 30355 N. Third St.

Then, on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the community center, preliminary findings from the town hall and a recent resident survey will be presented along with possible next steps for the community.

Wachter said the Idaho Rural Partnership team will develop a finalized summary of the public input and submit it to the city for consideration in two or three months.

He said none of the elected officials at the city have been in office for more than three years, so the report will give them some direction as to what the citizens would like to see in the future.

A survey sent to Athol residents and those who live near the city asked several questions, including street conditions, quality of education, senior programs, thoughts on growth and more.

Of 300 surveys sent to residents within city limits, 65 were returned by deadline on Friday. Of 500 surveys sent to citizens outside city limits, 180 were returned.

Wachter said based on an early review of the surveys, residents appear to be divided on growth.

Wachter said Athol was among three cities chosen for the Idaho Rural Partnership's Community Review Program after it applied. Such reviews have been held in nearly 40 rural Idaho communities since 2000.

The review program is a collaborative project that also includes the Association of Idaho Cities, Idaho Department of Commerce, Idaho Transportation Department, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Idaho Housing and Finance Association, Region IV Development Association and the University of Idaho.

Wachter said the only cost to the city is the postage fees for the surveys, which was about $500. He said meals funded by private donations are being provided to the program's team members during their stay.

He said visiting team members aren't paid through the program and are responsible for the cost of their hotel accommodations and transportation. While in Athol, the team has toured the community and spoken with residents, business owners and community leaders.

"I'm excited about the many ways Athol will benefit from the community review," Wachter said. "I hope residents of the city and outlying area take advantage of this unique opportunity to express their ideas for improving the community."