Economic Development Committee plans public outreach for proposed TIF and Gateway PUD, explores EDA funding for infrastructure

The Economic Development Committee approved its June meeting minutes and agreed July 17 to begin public outreach this summer on a proposed Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan and the Planning Board's Gateway Planned Unit Development (PUD) ordinance, committee members said.

Guest planner Mike Tardiff of CNHRPC said the session would focus on "the public outreach process, doing the survey and [discussing] the Planning Board’s Planned Unit Development ordinance," and suggested the survey could "be where the public learns about what a TIF is." The committee agreed the outreach should include an online survey with a public access point at the town library for residents without internet access.

Town Administrator Laura Buono described remediation planning for the Associated Electric parcel, saying the town is obtaining pricing to demolish two buildings and remove some contaminated soil and is considering the site for a municipal complex after cleanup. Planning Director Robyn Payson said the Gateway PUD is intended "to enable flexible development," and Matt Monahan (CNHRPC) said the ordinance would work well alongside a TIF program to guide future uses in the Gateway zone.

Committee members discussed funding for pre-development engineering. "There are EDA funds to match local funds for engineering and pre-engineering," Tardiff said, noting the program generally requires a 50/50 match and that the funds could be used for feasibility studies, including sewer. Kim Opperman added that market demographics would shape the mix of development in the zone: "If the demographics are right more diverse development will happen."

Susanne White emphasized communication to ratepayers about financing risks, saying one important point is "that the cost of any new infrastructure is not going to be added to their rates." Committee members discussed options for outreach channels — Facebook, periodic updates on the town website, and an article in the Messenger — and Keith Cobbett said he would contact the paper after Robyn Payson noted previous press releases had not been run.

The committee agreed to distribute the survey in late August or early September and scheduled an all-boards public outreach meeting for Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Fire Station to coordinate discussion while the survey is live. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m.

Actions taken at the meeting included approval of the 06/19/24 minutes (motion by Keith Cobbett; second by Laura Buono; motion carried unanimously) and a motion to adjourn (motion by Keith Cobbett; second by Laura Buono).