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The second master plan survey has been discussed and deliberated by Community Builders, Inc. (CBI) as well as interested community members, and is available in hard copies or online as of last Friday.

CBI met with the public on Nov. 18 at the Platte Valley Community Center (PVCC) to discuss the second survey and evaluate the survey questions. The second survey builds on responses from the first and collects demographic information in order to gain a better understanding of who is voicing opinions on the direction of town planning.

A category for transportation was added to this survey, with questions about truck routes, public transit to population centers (Rawlins, Laramie, etc.) for shopping and services, development of walking paths, among others. Transportation questions were not included on the first survey.

Other categories include healthcare, education, economic development and infrastructure. Healthcare questions consist of smoking regulations, mental health and substance abuse services, senior services and special medical services. Higher education, vocational training and preschool are some topics in education.

Economic development and infrastructure categories ask questions about specific methods to improving the situation in Saratoga, such as camping facilities for bikers and hikers and a business park, as well as how much the town should be involved in improvement.

A draft was presented at the master plan meeting, and those in attendance went over every survey question to determine whether it should be there and if the point of the question was clear enough. Community members offered input on wording and relevance, with their comments and revisions resulting in the survey that will shape the final product of the master plan in coming months.

The questions are scored from “Strongly support” to “Strongly do not support.” Bobbe Fitzhugh, of CBI, said that this survey is just to determine priorities, not to offer any official solutions. The first survey was completed by about 43 people, or eight percent of the Saratoga population, which is a valid number, according to Fitzhugh.

Ed Pier, of Coffey Engineering, CBI’s engineering subcontractor, presented the town’s current situation of mapping, which should ultimately result in several maps including water, sanitation sewer, storm sewer, streets, electric and utilities for public works. Zoning will be included in mapping projects. Fitzhugh said that the goal of the mapping process is to say “Here’s what we have, and here’s where we want to go.” So far, according to Fitzhugh, the team has been figuring out exactly what is here right now.

The master plan is to be completed by May 31, 2016 and Fitzhugh said that goal is being met so far. The next Saratoga Master Plan Steering Committee will take place at 4 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the PVCC.