Machias Community Public Survey 2025

The Town of Machias would appreciate your input on the survey attached. Your thoughts, as well as those of others in your community, will be used to update the Machias Comprehensive Plan. This important plan is updated once every 10 years and provides a roadmap for future plans. Town officials, including the selectboard, planning board, and your town manager will use the plan as a guide in setting priorities and making decisions in coming years, so your input is crucial.

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1. My gender is

Female

Male

Choose not to answer

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2. My age is

Under 13

13-15

16-19

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60-69

70-79

80+

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3. Please select your employment status. Check all that apply.

Employed full time

Employed part time

Employed seasonally

Self-employed/own a business

Unemployed

Retired

Student

Homemaker

Disabled

Other (please explain)

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4. If employed, what industry do you work in? Select all that apply.

Farming

Fishing

Aquaculture

Forestry

Management, Business or Financial Operations

Hospitality

Information Technology/Computer

Architecture or Engineering

Science/Research

Community or Social Services

Legal

Education, Training, and Library

Arts, Design, Entertainment and Media

Healthcare

Public Safety/First Responders

Food Preparation and Service

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance

Sports

Personal Care and Services

Retail Sales and Related

Office and Administration

Construction and Other Trades

Manufacturing and Production

Transportation and Material Moving

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5. If you are employed, what is the name of the town where you work?

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6. I work:

Away from home

Remotely or at my home

Both away from home and remotely

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7. I am a:

Year-round Resident

Seasonal Resident

Non-resident Taxpayer

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8. I live in/near Machias (check all that apply):

Winter

Spring

Summer

Autumn

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9. How many years have you lived in or near Machias, whether year-round or seasonally?

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10. If not a Machias resident, what is the name of the town of your primary residence?

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11. Which of the following best describes your current home?

Mobile home

Modular home

Stick-built/wood-frame built on site

Log home/timber frame

Apartment or other multi-family structure

RV, tent or other temporary shelter

School residence hall

Other (please specify)

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12. I

Own my home

Rent my home

Am a guest in someone else's home

Live in a shelter or recovery house

Do not have a place to live

Other (please explain)

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13. Approximate age of the home (in years, if known)

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14. What is the source of water for your home? Check all that apply.

Town water

Well

Spring

I don't know

Purchase water

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15. If on a well, do you test your water?

Yes

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16. If you test your water, how often?

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17. Are you on the Town Sewer system?

Yes

Don't know

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Housing Development:

As the community grows and seeks to add additional housing, which of the following should be considered?

	Encourage	Neither	Discourage
18. Single-family homes	18. Single-family homes Encourage	18. Single-family homes Neither	18. Single-family homes Discourage
19. Multi-family homes	19. Multi-family homes Encourage	19. Multi-family homes Neither	19. Multi-family homes Discourage
20. Subsidized housing	20. Subsidized housing Encourage	20. Subsidized housing Neither	20. Subsidized housing Discourage
21. Low to Moderate Income housing	21. Low to Moderate Income housing Encourage	21. Low to Moderate Income housing Neither	21. Low to Moderate Income housing Discourage
22. Mobile home parks	22. Mobile home parks Encourage	22. Mobile home parks Neither	22. Mobile home parks Discourage
23. Individual mobile homes	23. Individual mobile homes Encourage	23. Individual mobile homes Neither	23. Individual mobile homes Discourage
24. Large homes (4,000 sf or larger)	24. Large homes (4,000 sf or larger) Encourage	24. Large homes (4,000 sf or larger) Neither	24. Large homes (4,000 sf or larger) Discourage
25. Tiny homes (500 sf or smaller)	25. Tiny homes (500 sf or smaller) Encourage	25. Tiny homes (500 sf or smaller) Neither	25. Tiny homes (500 sf or smaller) Discourage

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26. Any additional comments on questions 18-25?

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Business Development:

Should the town…

	Encourage	Discourage	Keep as is
27. Marine-based industries	27. Marine-based industries Encourage	27. Marine-based industries Discourage	27. Marine-based industries Keep as is
28. Processing and distribution of marine products	28. Processing and distribution of marine products Encourage	28. Processing and distribution of marine products Discourage	28. Processing and distribution of marine products Keep as is
29. Aquaculture (fish, shellfish, kelp)	29. Aquaculture (fish, shellfish, kelp) Encourage	29. Aquaculture (fish, shellfish, kelp) Discourage	29. Aquaculture (fish, shellfish, kelp) Keep as is
30. Rockweed harvesting	30. Rockweed harvesting Encourage	30. Rockweed harvesting Discourage	30. Rockweed harvesting Keep as is
31. Boatbuilding	31. Boatbuilding Encourage	31. Boatbuilding Discourage	31. Boatbuilding Keep as is
32. Agriculture	32. Agriculture Encourage	32. Agriculture Discourage	32. Agriculture Keep as is
33. Group homes for special needs	33. Group homes for special needs Encourage	33. Group homes for special needs Discourage	33. Group homes for special needs Keep as is
34. Retail stores	34. Retail stores Encourage	34. Retail stores Discourage	34. Retail stores Keep as is
35. Home based businesses	35. Home based businesses Encourage	35. Home based businesses Discourage	35. Home based businesses Keep as is
36. Nursing and Assisted Living homes	36. Nursing and Assisted Living homes Encourage	36. Nursing and Assisted Living homes Discourage	36. Nursing and Assisted Living homes Keep as is
37. Bed and Breakfasts	37. Bed and Breakfasts Encourage	37. Bed and Breakfasts Discourage	37. Bed and Breakfasts Keep as is
38. Short Term Rentals (AirBNB, VRBO, etc)	38. Short Term Rentals (AirBNB, VRBO, etc) Encourage	38. Short Term Rentals (AirBNB, VRBO, etc) Discourage	38. Short Term Rentals (AirBNB, VRBO, etc) Keep as is
39. Seasonal campgrounds/RV parks	39. Seasonal campgrounds/RV parks Encourage	39. Seasonal campgrounds/RV parks Discourage	39. Seasonal campgrounds/RV parks Keep as is
40. Historical buildings/museums	40. Historical buildings/museums Encourage	40. Historical buildings/museums Discourage	40. Historical buildings/museums Keep as is
41. Cell towers	41. Cell towers Encourage	41. Cell towers Discourage	41. Cell towers Keep as is
42. Windmill Farms	42. Windmill Farms Encourage	42. Windmill Farms Discourage	42. Windmill Farms Keep as is
43. Trash pick-up	43. Trash pick-up Encourage	43. Trash pick-up Discourage	43. Trash pick-up Keep as is
44. Child care	44. Child care Encourage	44. Child care Discourage	44. Child care Keep as is
45. Urgent healthcare	45. Urgent healthcare Encourage	45. Urgent healthcare Discourage	45. Urgent healthcare Keep as is
46. Expanded healthcare	46. Expanded healthcare Encourage	46. Expanded healthcare Discourage	46. Expanded healthcare Keep as is
47. Expanded dental care	47. Expanded dental care Encourage	47. Expanded dental care Discourage	47. Expanded dental care Keep as is
48 Expanded mental healthcare	48 Expanded mental healthcare Encourage	48 Expanded mental healthcare Discourage	48 Expanded mental healthcare Keep as is
49. Veterinary care	49. Veterinary care Encourage	49. Veterinary care Discourage	49. Veterinary care Keep as is

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50. Any additional comments on questions 27-49?

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Land Use Development:

Should the town…

	Encourage	Discourage	Keep as is
51. Land use zoning	51. Land use zoning Encourage	51. Land use zoning Discourage	51. Land use zoning Keep as is
52. Shore access for residents	52. Shore access for residents Encourage	52. Shore access for residents Discourage	52. Shore access for residents Keep as is
53. Business and Professional buildings	53. Business and Professional buildings Encourage	53. Business and Professional buildings Discourage	53. Business and Professional buildings Keep as is
54. Solar Farms	54. Solar Farms Encourage	54. Solar Farms Discourage	54. Solar Farms Keep as is
55. Public Parking Areas	55. Public Parking Areas Encourage	55. Public Parking Areas Discourage	55. Public Parking Areas Keep as is

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56. Any additional comments on questions 51-55?

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Resource Development:

Should the town…

	Encourage	Discourage	Keep as is
57. Community Center	57. Community Center Encourage	57. Community Center Discourage	57. Community Center Keep as is
58. Recreational Facilities and opportunities	58. Recreational Facilities and opportunities Encourage	58. Recreational Facilities and opportunities Discourage	58. Recreational Facilities and opportunities Keep as is
59. Computer Resource Center	59. Computer Resource Center Encourage	59. Computer Resource Center Discourage	59. Computer Resource Center Keep as is
60. EV Charging Stations	60. EV Charging Stations Encourage	60. EV Charging Stations Discourage	60. EV Charging Stations Keep as is

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61. Any additional comments on questions 57-60?

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Preservation, Planning and Land Use:

Should the town…

	Yes	No	Unsure
62. Have land use ordinances?	62. Have land use ordinances? Yes	62. Have land use ordinances? No	62. Have land use ordinances? Unsure
63. Have site plan review for any development?	63. Have site plan review for any development? Yes	63. Have site plan review for any development? No	63. Have site plan review for any development? Unsure
64. Have a junk removal ordinance?	64. Have a junk removal ordinance? Yes	64. Have a junk removal ordinance? No	64. Have a junk removal ordinance? Unsure
65. Have a trash removal ordinance?	65. Have a trash removal ordinance? Yes	65. Have a trash removal ordinance? No	65. Have a trash removal ordinance? Unsure

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66. Any additional comments on questions 62-65?

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Should the town do more, less, or the same to preserve…

	More	Less	The Same
67. Marine economy	67. Marine economy More	67. Marine economy Less	67. Marine economy The Same
68. Recreational opportunities	68. Recreational opportunities More	68. Recreational opportunities Less	68. Recreational opportunities The Same
69. Scenic resources	69. Scenic resources More	69. Scenic resources Less	69. Scenic resources The Same
70. Wetlands	70. Wetlands More	70. Wetlands Less	70. Wetlands The Same
71. Forests	71. Forests More	71. Forests Less	71. Forests The Same
72. Coastline	72. Coastline More	72. Coastline Less	72. Coastline The Same
73. Town park and beach resources	73. Town park and beach resources More	73. Town park and beach resources Less	73. Town park and beach resources The Same
74. Access points to working waterfronts and clam flats	74. Access points to working waterfronts and clam flats More	74. Access points to working waterfronts and clam flats Less	74. Access points to working waterfronts and clam flats The Same
75. Open space	75. Open space More	75. Open space Less	75. Open space The Same
76. Farmland	76. Farmland More	76. Farmland Less	76. Farmland The Same
77. History	77. History More	77. History Less	77. History The Same

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78. Any additional comments on questions 67-77?

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Level of Satisfaction with facilities and services

	Very Satisfied	Satisfied	No opinion	Dissatisfied	Very Dissatisfied
79. Police protection	79. Police protection Very Satisfied	79. Police protection Satisfied	79. Police protection No opinion	79. Police protection Dissatisfied	79. Police protection Very Dissatisfied
80. Fire protection	80. Fire protection Very Satisfied	80. Fire protection Satisfied	80. Fire protection No opinion	80. Fire protection Dissatisfied	80. Fire protection Very Dissatisfied
81. Ambulance	81. Ambulance Very Satisfied	81. Ambulance Satisfied	81. Ambulance No opinion	81. Ambulance Dissatisfied	81. Ambulance Very Dissatisfied
82. Health services	82. Health services Very Satisfied	82. Health services Satisfied	82. Health services No opinion	82. Health services Dissatisfied	82. Health services Very Dissatisfied
83. Adult education	83. Adult education Very Satisfied	83. Adult education Satisfied	83. Adult education No opinion	83. Adult education Dissatisfied	83. Adult education Very Dissatisfied
84. Public schools	84. Public schools Very Satisfied	84. Public schools Satisfied	84. Public schools No opinion	84. Public schools Dissatisfied	84. Public schools Very Dissatisfied
85. Private Schools	85. Private Schools Very Satisfied	85. Private Schools Satisfied	85. Private Schools No opinion	85. Private Schools Dissatisfied	85. Private Schools Very Dissatisfied
86. Town Office services	86. Town Office services Very Satisfied	86. Town Office services Satisfied	86. Town Office services No opinion	86. Town Office services Dissatisfied	86. Town Office services Very Dissatisfied
87. Town Office hours	87. Town Office hours Very Satisfied	87. Town Office hours Satisfied	87. Town Office hours No opinion	87. Town Office hours Dissatisfied	87. Town Office hours Very Dissatisfied
88. Town Office building	88. Town Office building Very Satisfied	88. Town Office building Satisfied	88. Town Office building No opinion	88. Town Office building Dissatisfied	88. Town Office building Very Dissatisfied
89. Recreational facilities (parks, ballfields, etc)	89. Recreational facilities (parks, ballfields, etc) Very Satisfied	89. Recreational facilities (parks, ballfields, etc) Satisfied	89. Recreational facilities (parks, ballfields, etc) No opinion	89. Recreational facilities (parks, ballfields, etc) Dissatisfied	89. Recreational facilities (parks, ballfields, etc) Very Dissatisfied
90. Road conditions	90. Road conditions Very Satisfied	90. Road conditions Satisfied	90. Road conditions No opinion	90. Road conditions Dissatisfied	90. Road conditions Very Dissatisfied
91. Snow plowing	91. Snow plowing Very Satisfied	91. Snow plowing Satisfied	91. Snow plowing No opinion	91. Snow plowing Dissatisfied	91. Snow plowing Very Dissatisfied
92. Walkability/Sidewalks	92. Walkability/Sidewalks Very Satisfied	92. Walkability/Sidewalks Satisfied	92. Walkability/Sidewalks No opinion	92. Walkability/Sidewalks Dissatisfied	92. Walkability/Sidewalks Very Dissatisfied
93. Property tax levels	93. Property tax levels Very Satisfied	93. Property tax levels Satisfied	93. Property tax levels No opinion	93. Property tax levels Dissatisfied	93. Property tax levels Very Dissatisfied
94. Community-wide events and Celebrations	94. Community-wide events and Celebrations Very Satisfied	94. Community-wide events and Celebrations Satisfied	94. Community-wide events and Celebrations No opinion	94. Community-wide events and Celebrations Dissatisfied	94. Community-wide events and Celebrations Very Dissatisfied
95. Town boat launch	95. Town boat launch Very Satisfied	95. Town boat launch Satisfied	95. Town boat launch No opinion	95. Town boat launch Dissatisfied	95. Town boat launch Very Dissatisfied

Machias Community Public Survey 2025

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* 1. My gender is

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* 2. My age is

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* 3. Please select your employment status. Check all that apply.

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* 4. If employed, what industry do you work in? Select all that apply.

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* 5. If you are employed, what is the name of the town where you work?

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* 6. I work:

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* 7. I am a:

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* 8. I live in/near Machias (check all that apply):

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* 9. How many years have you lived in or near Machias, whether year-round or seasonally?

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* 10. If not a Machias resident, what is the name of the town of your primary residence?

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* 11. Which of the following best describes your current home?

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* 12. I

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* 13. Approximate age of the home (in years, if known)

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* 14. What is the source of water for your home? Check all that apply.

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* 15. If on a well, do you test your water?

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* 16. If you test your water, how often?

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* 17. Are you on the Town Sewer system?

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* Housing Development: As the community grows and seeks to add additional housing, which of the following should be considered?

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* 26. Any additional comments on questions 18-25?

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* Business Development: Should the town…

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* 50. Any additional comments on questions 27-49?

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* Land Use Development: Should the town…

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* 56. Any additional comments on questions 51-55?

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* Resource Development: Should the town…

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* 61. Any additional comments on questions 57-60?

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* Preservation, Planning and Land Use: Should the town…

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* 66. Any additional comments on questions 62-65?

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* Should the town do more, less, or the same to preserve…

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* 78. Any additional comments on questions 67-77?

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* Level of Satisfaction with facilities and services

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* 96. Any additional comments on questions 79-95?

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* 97. What are things about Machias that you like and would preserve?

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* 98. What are the things about Machias that you would like to see changed?

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* 99. Describe what you hope to see in Machias in the future.

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* 100. What are your greatest concerns about Machias?

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* 101. What are Machias' greatest strengths?

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* 102. What are Machias' biggest weaknesses or challenges?

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* 103. Do you have suggestions for new land use ordinances?

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* 104. If you favor new businesses, what types would you like to see?

1. My gender is

2. My age is

3. Please select your employment status. Check all that apply.

4. If employed, what industry do you work in? Select all that apply.

5. If you are employed, what is the name of the town where you work?

6. I work:

7. I am a:

8. I live in/near Machias (check all that apply):

9. How many years have you lived in or near Machias, whether year-round or seasonally?

10. If not a Machias resident, what is the name of the town of your primary residence?

11. Which of the following best describes your current home?

12. I

13. Approximate age of the home (in years, if known)

14. What is the source of water for your home? Check all that apply.

15. If on a well, do you test your water?

16. If you test your water, how often?

17. Are you on the Town Sewer system?

Housing Development:

As the community grows and seeks to add additional housing, which of the following should be considered?

26. Any additional comments on questions 18-25?

Business Development:

Should the town…

50. Any additional comments on questions 27-49?

Land Use Development:

Should the town…

56. Any additional comments on questions 51-55?

Resource Development:

Should the town…

61. Any additional comments on questions 57-60?

Preservation, Planning and Land Use:

Should the town…

66. Any additional comments on questions 62-65?

Should the town do more, less, or the same to preserve…

78. Any additional comments on questions 67-77?

Level of Satisfaction with facilities and services

96. Any additional comments on questions 79-95?

97. What are things about Machias that you like and would preserve?

98. What are the things about Machias that you would like to see changed?

99. Describe what you hope to see in Machias in the future.

100. What are your greatest concerns about Machias?

101. What are Machias' greatest strengths?

102. What are Machias' biggest weaknesses or challenges?

103. Do you have suggestions for new land use ordinances?

104. If you favor new businesses, what types would you like to see?