Select Board narrowly approves $300,000 in TIF funds for Dow Road–Route 3A intersection after heated debate
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Summary
Attorney Ari Pollock and developer Peter Levine asked the board to use TIF funds for a state-permitted intersection upgrade. After questions about available TIF balances, bidding and precedent, the board approved an amended motion directing an RFP and up to $300,000 in TIF support on a 3–2 vote (Selectwoman Brennan and Colby opposed).
The Bow Select Board voted 3–2 to commit up to $300,000 from the town’s business-corridor tax-increment financing (TIF) district toward improvements at the intersection of Dow Road and Route 3A, after a lengthy presentation and robust debate.
Attorney Ari Pollock, representing the applicant, summarized the proposal and tax impact. “At full build out, the park will have 33 developed acres, 10 constructed and occupied tenant buildings, and have an estimated assessed value of over $16,000,000,” Pollock said, and noted the town holds permit number 3460 (issued Oct. 29) authorizing the intersection work. Pollock said the project’s cost estimate was roughly $568,000 (Merrill Construction quote) and, factoring right-of-way and other costs, the project would likely exceed $600,000.
Developer Peter Levine and his team said the planning board conditioned further approvals on intersection improvements and that the TIF advisory board recommended funding up to $510,000. Levine argued the development will add new tax base and accelerate payback to the TIF district.
Several board members pushed back on two lines of concern: immediate affordability and precedent. One member cited TIF balances presented at a March advisory meeting — about $3,041,453 available with roughly $2.5 million already earmarked — and said that left only about $500,000 in currently available funds. “I am not comfortable without up-to-date figures,” that member said, and asked whether committing $510,000 would require delaying other planned projects.
Board members also raised procurement and planning questions: whether the town or developer should be the contracting agent, whether the work needs to be bid, and whether shifting responsibility from developer to town would trigger site-plan re-review. In response, Pollock said the town applied for the DOT permit in the town’s name and that the planning process anticipated an upcoming request for TIF support.
After discussion, a board member moved to have the town issue an RFP for qualified bidders and to contribute up to $300,000 from the TIF district toward construction, easement and engineering costs; the motion included language expecting a competitive procurement process. The motion passed 3–2. The record shows Selectwoman Brennan and Colby voted in the negative.
The board’s action directs staff to develop procurement documents and to return with implementation details; members opposed said they wanted more complete financial figures and clearer limits on town responsibility before approving any larger contribution.
