Cathlamet’s elected leadership is planning ahead.

Town council members spent the bulk of their April 3 meeting in workshop mode to discuss the first draft of a new comprehensive plan. The 80-page draft was prepared under contract with the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments. It replaces a previous plan approved back in 2002. Once updated and officially approved, a new comprehensive plan will require updates every 10 years.

Council members discussed the document’s introduction and chapters on land use and a community profile. They will continue discussion at a future workshop scheduled for the May 1st council meeting.

Outreach regarding opportunities for public comment on the draft plan will be announced soon, Clerk-Treasurer Sarah Clark told the council.

In other business, several members of the public thanked town staff for their assistance with recent events. Ron Wright, one of the lead coaches for Wahkiakum High School’s Mecha Mules robotics team, thanked town Public Works Superintendent David McNally for McNally’s support in preparing the town’s swimming pool for a recent underwater robotics competition, and Wahkiakum Port #1 manager Todd Souvenir thanked Mayor David Olson for supporting the recent Hook the Hawg salmon fishing derby, including awarding grand prize to the 12-lb winner.