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Bow selectboard accepts Northern Border grant and withdraws TIF funds for Bow Mills feasibility study
Summary
The Bow selectboard accepted a $52,002.65 Northern Border Regional Commission grant and approved a $30,007.35 TIF withdrawal to fund a feasibility study of the Bow Mills Mixed Use District. The study will examine water‑line extension feasibility, traffic, zoning and cost‑benefit analysis; accepting the grant does not obligate construction.
The Bow selectboard voted Sept. 9 to accept a Northern Border Regional Commission grant and to withdraw town TIF funds to pay the local match for a feasibility study of the Bow Mills Mixed Use Zoning District.
Selectman (unnamed) moved to accept the grant, described in the meeting packet as $52,002.65, and the board approved the motion by voice vote. The board then approved withdrawing $30,007.35 from the Bo Business Corner TIF district to fund the local match; staff said remaining match will come from volunteer and staff in‑kind contributions.
Town staff said the project is a feasibility and master‑planning study that will assess potential commercial value, municipal water‑line extension options, traffic impacts and zoning implications for the Bow Mills area. David, who introduced the item, emphasized the study is intended to determine whether waterline expansion and related development are feasible and cost‑effective and does not commit the town to build infrastructure.
Tom O'Donovan, a member of a community committee who spoke during the public hearing, asked for clarification after noting different wording in the TIF advisory minutes and the study document; staff confirmed the study's primary purpose is feasibility analysis and a cost‑benefit component.
The board discussed using the study findings to guide decisions about water extensions and other development incentives in the Bow Mills district and encouraged resident engagement on related transportation decisions at a separate state hearing scheduled for Sept. 25 in Concord.
Next steps include executing grant acceptance paperwork and completing the TIF withdrawal to fund the match. Town staff said a consultant scope and timeline will follow and that the selectboard will receive updates as the study proceeds.
