A Community Discussion About Our Future
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Key Issue #2 Local Economy and Tax Base
Facilitator: Carol Hess Recorder: Anna Clark Spokesperson: not noted
Participants: Fred Hayes, Gail Parker, Gerry Perron, Pete Ryder, Jim Sawyer, Ed Wood, Richard Harvey, Melissa Harvey, Lee Allen
Clarification of the problem/issue to be addressed:
only tax base is residential
small commercial tax base a few stores, a restaurant, etc
few local jobs
tension between development and quaintness
need to grow, but not to detriment of good qualities of town
some want no growth
attracting business thats consistent with town character
difficult for small business to succeed because of lack of accessibility,
i.e. roads
center of town is not amenable to traditional model of business development
seasons are issue for viability of business
New Boston cant attract businesses that would contribute significantly to
tax base
a few places for new businesses in town
business incubator
communicating of whats available in town
residential housing that contributes to tax base
difficult to start a business
multi-family housing, high density that contributes to tax base more than
individual houses
industrial park Rte. 114
Fanueil Hall type commercial development
cement barns or central location where businesses can enter
business incubator multiple offices clumped together
sharing information thru directory, website to indicate whose doing what in
town, to identify businesses in town, to identify talent in town
Possible Solutions:
looking for business to locate here who
wont be hindered by lack of accessibility
need services, restaurants, interior decorators, etc
consulting/Main Street Program
capitalizing on natural resources/river to promote a broader
economic/commercial center
map with businesses solutions
develop traffic patterns that promote healthy economy
need a sewer system in downtown to encourage businesses like restaurants
consider no new business and continue paying high taxes
light industrial development location
look at zoning restrictions that deter business development
revenue-generating open space (golf courses)
bottom of Byam Road for possible commercial development
encouraging land developers to mix commercial/residential uses
town employee whose job it is to facilitate business creation and help those
go thru process to open a business here
hire consultant/committee to identify business development zone for
inclusion in Master Plan (considering natural resource and character of town)
provide assistance, outreach and encouragement to people wanting to start
new business (town business coordinator, website, brochure)
explore feasibility of locating retirement community
Project Evaluations:
High Impact/High Feasibility
paid outside professional consultant on Main Street development,
commercial/industrial
development (also noted as Moderate Impact/High Feasibility)
capitalizing on natural resources/river to promote broader commercial center
identifying businesses that are compatible with infrastructure limitations
Main Street program
employee to coordinate and assist business growth and development
multi-family housing that contributes to the tax base (sized to fit
community) 55+ planned community
looking at zoning restrictions that deter development
High Impact/Moderate Feasibility
providing services for people in town, restaurants, interior decorators
light industrial development location
industrial park Rte. 114 & Rte. 77 N
bottom of Byam Road for possible commercial development
High Impact/Low Feasibility
develop traffic patterns that promote healthy economy
encourage land developers to mix commercial/residential uses
Moderate Impact/High Feasibility
communication sharing information thru directory, website
Moderate Impact/Moderate Feasibility
revenue generating open space (golf course)
cement barns or central location where businesses can cluster
Moderate Impact/Low Feasibility
Fanueil Hall type commercial development
sewer system in downtown to encourage business especially restaurant
business incubator multiple offices clumped together
Low Impact/High Feasibility
map with local businesses
consider no new businesses and continue paying high taxes
Low Impact/Moderate Feasibility
not noted
Low Impact/Low Feasibility
not noted