Selectmen Candidates Speak Out on Economic Development
Sears, Sullivan and Biewener share their thoughts on how to spur growth in Tewksbury.
One doesn't have to have a degree in economics to understand that the only true way to keep residential property taxes under control is to broaden the tax base and encourage commercial economic growth.
But a quick drive down Route 38 reveals numerous vacant buildings and storefronts, a sign that growth has been stagnant, at best, in recent years.
We asked the three candidates for the Board of Selectmen for their views on stimulating economic growth in Tewksbury.
"When I moved here in 1999, business was thriving," said challenger Jim Biewener. "But you look now and the Purity Supreme building is still empty and the building behind Piccadilly Pub is half full. (Tewksbury) hasn't been very business-friendly."
Biewener said he supports the concept and objectives of the Economic Development Committee but said he wants to make sure that it is comprised of the "right people."
"I don't know what the makeup of the committee is right now but I'd like to see it re-tooled," said Biewener, who said he would like to see people with strong backgrounds in real estate, Small Business Administration programs and community banking on the committee.
Biewener also said he does not want to see Tewksbury adopt the Hotel and Restaurant surtax.
"I think any time you increase taxes, people are going to go elsewhere," he said.
Challenger Ed Sullivan agreed that Tewksbury has not created the type of climate to attract job-producing businesses.
"They haven't welcomed any types of R&D and commercial businesses with open arms," said Sullivan. "They scared Demoulas off and it went over to Andover. The problem is, people are always saying, ;not in my backyard.'"
Sullivan said there will always be small businesses popping up in town because of Route 38 but that it will take more aggressive and creative approach in attracting larger employers.
"The mom and pop stores don't generate traffic. They're there because the traffic is already there," said Sullivan. "We have some areas where we could have some R&D type businesses. Bankers aren't going to come in and invest in a ghost town.
"We have to welcome these businesses with open arms," he said, pointing to Wilmington as an example of a community with a business-friendly approach. "Without that (commercial) tax base, the tax burden has to fall on someone."
Incumbent Doug Sears says he would like the town to hire consultants, who job it would be recruit businesses to Tewksbury. Sears said the positions would more than pay for themselves through the additional tax revenue generated.
"We need someone who is going to go out and beat the bushes and get paid for brining in business," said Sears, who agreed with his opponents that the community has not been business-friendly.
"We're got kind of a 'pro pizza shop' but 'anti-Gillette,' kind of attitude," said Sears, explaining that he believes pressure from residents discouraged Gillette and Demoulas from doing business in Tewksbury.
"We've got to change our mindset from what it was 10 years ago," he said. "Along those lines, we have to be more like Wilmington.
Voters go to the polls on Saturday, April 2.
John
2:51 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Mr Sears is the only one above that said to pay consultants to get businesses in and the tax generated would pay for it, well if the consultants don't get the businesses in will the pay for them be added to our water or tax bills!
Melissa Gleaton
2:57 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Well, the question is, are any of these men developers? Does anyone on the economic development committee have a background in R&D? If the answers are no, then we DO need someone with that expertise to assist the town - elected, appointed, or contracted.
John
3:01 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Actually Melissa one of them is a developer and his buildings are clean and neat looking and actually have beautified some parts of Tewksbury!
John
3:15 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Shouldn't the first priority be to find some kind of happy medium for the citizens of Tewksbury, I personally am not happy and I would not encourage anyone to buy in Tewksbury at this point, But if you have happy or some what happy citizens in town, then that in it is self would promote the town as a great place to live and do business. (I know a dream world but nice idea)
Don Ordway
4:06 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
There is some truth in what the candidates are saying. As a former member of the Town Managers study committee this subject has been on my mind constantly. We can no longer cut salaries, we can no longer raise taxes although it hasn't stopped us yet it will. We have no other place to go other than growing businesses from Lowell to Wilmington and Bilerica to Andover. Whether some like it or not. Life is choices in this case we are forced to choose commercial or industrial businesses. Making it happen will protect the most residents.
There is plenty of traffic on route 38 that is not the problem. We have to give them a reason to stop or to come here. I agree with Doug Sears thoughts on consultants. When something isn't working try something else. Arrange a finders fee 50% when the deal is closed and the remainig in 90 days when the business is established. Arrange the best deal you can. Fee should be based on the type of bussiness and how many they will employ, especially local people.
We must become business friendly. We are sitting on a gold mine or an oil well start digging. It's location, location location. This issue does not require a Donald Trump it requires someone that is flexible, willing and capable of putting a deal together that is a win/win. They must be able to close the deal. If they don't come it's because we don't want them to. Many will have to move if we don't sell this to the voters. We're all going broke. I may have to start playing KENO.
Karyn
5:45 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Just a couple of points....though it may not be widely known if one doesn't attend the mtgs., the current EDC HAS been laying the groundwork behind the scenes (a process of steps which doesn't happen overnight) and DOES maintain some knowledgeable, hardworking members. (IMO, no re-tooling necessary) Also as far as the empty retail locations go, the owners still pay taxes whether occupied or not....the Town has little control over them. Lastly, IMO, candidates should not even "go there" re. "us scaring Demoulas Warehouse to Andover." It was their re-negging on a longstanding buffer zone agreement with the surrounding neighborhood dating back over 25 years before mysteriously "disappearing" from the warehouse expansion plan that was the catalyst for the denial. In fact, I believe I've read some negative things about that very operation in Andover so I'm glad Tewksbury dodged that bullet. Though I'm all for being "pro-active" for economic growth, we should also be prudent as to what is a good fit for Tewksbury and its residents who live nearby these developments in accordance with our Town's Master Plan.
Don Ordway
10:16 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Obviously Kayrn you have done your homework and for that I am grateful.
I would like to know how effective the EDI has been over the past five years? What major victories have they achieved? If anyone can answer this question and EDI's success rate has been exceptional we can look in other areas and get off their backs. The information may not be readilly available, but that is a concern of people in my situation. Are we heading in the right direction?
I understand that empty buildings must continue to pay their taxes, however, no one benefits from and empty building. We can assist the owner of that building by filling it with people. Some may be drawing unemployment insurance. The new jobs created as a result of growth will make life better for all involved. Of course other activities in the area will generate revenues from a new customer base in this area. (Hotels, restaurants, office furniture/equipment, supplies etc.)
Empty buildings are depressing and serve no purpose while wasting energy. The situation may get much worse since the country and state are doing little to correct it. That means that we must double our efforts or surrounding towns will continue to reap our rewards. This is about winning. Are we winning or losing ground?
It is also important to live with existing zoning regulations.
I never said it would be easy, but we must not fail.
Karyn
11:03 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
I am not a committee member, merely an involved citizen observer. I will say that the Planning Board initiatives and subsequent adoption at Town Meeting of zoning overlay districts along the Rt. 38 corridor go hand in hand to encourage the type of economic development the Town should be striving for. My "best" answer would be that the current EDC continues to be a "work in progress." I would suggest visiting their page on the Town website and peruse the links to their various initiatives and endeavors thus far......
http://www.tewksbury.net/Pages/TewksburyMA_BComm/EconDev/index