ATHOL — Speak up, Athol.

The pressures of growth are encroaching on your rural lifestyles like never before. And now is the time to help shape your community's future.

That was a message in the new 115-page Athol Community Review report compiled by the Idaho Rural Partnership from input from several agencies and citizens last fall.

"Athol has options, but it has little time to act before others have acted without Athol residents' voice being heard," the report states. "It is with this urgency, in this pivotal moment in Athol's history, that land-use planning is a focus area."

Athol's comprehensive plan was written in 1980. Such city plans are updated every five to 10 years in many cities regardless of size.

"Previous elected leaders, for better or worse, did not strive to direct growth, rather, as was said by many people, there was a 'cup of coffee and a 'No' vote,'" the report states. "Beyond all other recommendations, we suggest that the city engage residents of Athol to determine a vision for future development in the city."

Athol was among three cities last year chosen for IRP's Community Review Program, which involved a citizen survey, interviews with community stakeholder groups and workshops attended by residents and representatives of IRP's partnering agencies. Some cities have used review recommendations to help obtain funding for infrastructure, downtown revitalizations and other projects.

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.

The only cost of the program to the City of Athol was postage for the surveys, which was about $500.

The City Council will hold a worksop on Friday at City Hall at 1 p.m. to discuss the report's recommendations and an action plan. Citizens will have an opportunity to discuss the report or any other city-related matters during the monthly community potluck on Feb. 21 at 5 p.m. before the council meeting.

"More so now than ever before citizens will have the opportunity to have their voices be heard," said Lori Yarbrough, city clerk.

Athol's future is at a crossroads in many ways, the report states.

With no sewer system, the entire city is on septic, which limits growth.

"Wastewater in Athol is a controversial topic with residents seemingly divided and polarized," the report states. “At the end of the day, decisions need to be made, either to install a system or not. If the decision is made to install a system, it can be big or little, serving the whole city or only a small part."

Two major recent projects that have come to Athol include the U.S. 95 overpass and developer Hughes Investments hopes to annex 37 acres east of U.S. 95 near the northwest corner of Highway 54 and Howard Road into The Crossings commercial area anchored by Super 1 Foods. A public hearing on the annexation request has not been scheduled.

Hughes hopes to break ground on the project this year and install a $1 million wastewater treatment system. The city is exploring the logistics of supplying water to the project.

Athol's water rates are extremely low — $14 per month compared to $45 nationally.

"This prevents adequate savings," the report states.

The biggest challenge facing the city is a lack of financial resources, the report states.

Mayor Bob Wachter has lived in Athol for 28 years and, prior to the recent 50-cent increase, he only remembers one time it was temporarily bumped.

"It reached $15 in the mid-1990s to put a water tower in, but after that was paid for, it went back down to $13.50," he said.

Two railroad tracks run through Athol and the traffic delays and noise that result from the trains is a major concern of residents, the report states.

While constructing an overpass or underpass to deal with the train issues appears to not be feasible cost-wise, the report encourages the community to explore ways to embrace trains as part of Athol's identity.

"Ask questions like, 'How can trains be an asset to the community?' and 'Can there be social events involving the train or train history?'

"Have some fun with the train noise. One thought was the 'Railway Wheel of Fortune' (game held by businesses where customers can spin to win when the train horn sounds). This is one way to promote local business and community by incorporating that identity."

Resident desires in the report included more beautification efforts and more sidewalks, retaining rural character and a larger library.

"The city has stood still for 30 years," Wachter said. "Now that we have a progressive council, we're trying to make any changes in baby steps and not make people mad."