Update: SB Town Manager and Town Council
I was away all day in Portland and just learned that there was a special town council meeting today at 5 PM with the following agenda:
NEW BUSINESS
1. Executive Session – 1MRSA 405.6E – consultation between the Council and the Council’s attorney regarding settlement discussions.2. Discuss/take action on acceptance of resignation of Town Manager by mutual agreement between the Manager and the Town Council.
Update: Portland Press Herald is reporting that Town Manager Jeff Grossman has resigned:
South Berwick town manager resigns
Portland Press Herald March 21, 2008 08:48 PM
The Town Council accepted Town Manager Jeff Grossman’s resignation Friday evening, nearly three years before his contract would have expired…
Update March 22, 2008: Here’s a story from Foster’s Daily Democrat:
South Berwick town manager takes his leave
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Town Manager Jeff Grossman agreed to resign from office Friday night, one week after three town councilors asked him to quit.
In an emotional special town meeting held at 5 p.m. — just three hours after public notice was given — the council voted 4-1 to accept Grossman’s resignation, which he handed in by “mutual agreement” between himself and the council. . .
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:26 am
This is a sad day for the citizens of South Berwick. We have allowed three town councilors to ruin the reputation and good name of our town manager who has always acted in the best interest of the town. You should be ashamed for your actions!!! What do Jesus Christ and Jeff Grossman have in common? They are both innocent men crucified by special interest groups on Good Friday!
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:24 am
JC’s remark is indicative of why I choose not to use this blog anymore. Constructive exchanges have turned into this kind of stuff.
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:44 am
I find it funny that the term “special interest group” has become a name for any group that you don’t agree with. Do I have a special interest? Yes, it is called becoming an informed citizen. I pay my taxes, I am allowed to vote in the matters that impact the town I choose to live in. (Even if I didn’t pay taxes, such as a renter, I can still vote) Do I like to way all of my tax dollars are spent? Not always, but that is democracy. If I am on the losing side, I accept it. I have worked for change, rather than comment from the side lines. I have gone door to door, and I have had doors shut in my face. Every time that happens, I still smile because I live in a place that I can do that without fear of reprisal.
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:45 am
Recent events must have been very, very hard on all five of our councilors. The coming budget discussions won’t be easy either. How about if all of us pledge to support them in working together to take South Berwick forward? All five councilors give great amounts of time and effort, trying to do what they think is best for our town. We are lucky to have them. I’ll say the same for our appointed officials, and our town employees too. Let’s all of us citizens redouble our efforts in the coming weeks, and do what we can to help everyone work as a team for South Berwick.
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Wendy, I agree with your sentiments wholeheartedly. This has been hard on everyone, especially the councilors and town staff. Now, more than ever, we need to work together.
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Wendy and Molly, you both are right on. The council has earnestly dealt with a very difficult situation, in the best interests of the the entire town. Now there’s a lot of work that needs to be attended to. I would ask all residents to recognize this, and move on constructively.
March 22nd, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Good luck for Mr. Grossman. He will now have a chance to have some time to relax and not worry about town councilors coming after him for doing his job. It is a hard and thankless job and no matter what, he could not make everyone happy. That wasn’t his job anywhay, it was to make the town government work. Yes the budget was 26% higher than last year, but costs are going up and most of the increase is not something that can be controlled. These costs are necessary for services that the town’s residents want or need. Try cutting a service that is provided and see the outrage. Just remember, he was fired for doing the job he was hired for and the “charges” were just a smokescreen for some radical councilors to get rid of someone that they thought was going to ruin the “village”. I hope that the next manager remembers this (if we can find someone foolish enough to apply to be in this mess).
If this town wasn’t so afraid of business then maybe we would have a better tax base that would reduce the increase on the homeowners. It may be nice to say we live in a rural village, but the reality is that we don’t. A village would be able to support itself and not rely on just the homeowners to keep it going. This is what he was trying to do so that we would have a more diverse tax base with minimal impact on services.
Just my thoughts from someone that has lived here for a long time.
March 22nd, 2008 at 5:56 pm
sam is right on! the same people complaining about this 26% increase are the one’s that shoot down all plans to move our town forward,not backwards.
the village idea died when the cow’s got pushed out of the square and the automobile’s came in.i know that it is easy for us to tell you to move, i know better,but put it into perpesctive and realize it is time for more growth and moredare i say it INDUSTRY!!
take it easy i know it is a bad word for some but it is what we need.so people stop saying nay to everything and think it out for once.
March 22nd, 2008 at 10:25 pm
I am curious as to what industry you all see coming to South Berwick when we live right adjacent to NH? I live in South Berwick but run my business out of NH because it would be much more costly and harder to compete with other regional businesses if I were based in ME.
We need to offer some tax incentive if we really want to promote business it this town, and we would need to address traffic issues, and choose an industrial zone that would minimize impact to the residential majority of the town.
March 23rd, 2008 at 8:21 am
“Industry” For starters a gas compressor station that was told no and moved five miles south to Eliot and years ago Watts Fluid Air looked into moving into town. There is also talk of a regional trash facilty moving to town with curbside pick-up to all residents
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:02 am
see you all know the stories!that is why we need to move forward.it has always been that south berwick is not buisness friendly.
your right when you say we need to give incentives,but we cant give them when we project and anti-business stance in this town.jeff grossman tried to start something and that was what he was hired for.
the reason nothing happened was because of constant roadblocks and dead ends thrown in front of him by the big three.yet they are the one’s crying about a 26% increase.i hope we can ask them monday night at 630pm what they plan to do about this mess they created.
let’s not forget about that little comp plan they are trying to push through.
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:56 am
It may SEEM that if South Berwick could only get industries like a gas compressor or Watts Air Fluid, our taxes would go down. But the facts show that such development could backfire.
Here’s why: The real estate tax base in South Berwick is $614 million. Expanding the tax base by only 10% would require new development valued at over $61 million. That’s the equivalent of more than 66 Rite Aids. And that’s not even factoring in the cost of additional municipal services to support them.
We’d also face increased taxes due to reduced state aid to schools. The reason our taxes are now roughly on a par with Kittery’s, despite their malls, and North Berwick, despite their Pratt & Whitney, is that under state formulas we now actually benefit from our relatively low amount of industrial and commercial property.
Bottom line: new industry or commercial development MIGHT RAISE OUR TAXES. And we haven’t even mentioned the rezoning that would have to happen to fit in all the new industry or commercial development. That’s why South Berwick voters rejected contract zoning last year by more than three to one.
So—let’s not fall for all the “new industry” rhetoric. Maybe developers would benefit, but taxpayers could bear the burden.
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:05 am
From a neighbor in Eliot - There’s no doubt that fossil fuel prices will continue to rise, and transport will get more expensive. What “industry” will help to move essential services closer to S. Berwick? A “trash” (recycling) facility sounds good, so long as it’s done in an environmentally sound way. (Our drinking water is a limited and vital resource - protect it!) Food growing of any sort is a good thing, and processing food into what we can eat. Food, water, shelter, clothing… we all need them, and the closer to us they are made, the better. Not China, not California, not Florida…. grow locally, make locally, buy locally. Do we have a good sense of what is already made in S. Berwick (and surrounding towns) that we’re buying from somewhere elsee? Tourists are predicted to be coming from closer by — more regional travel, as airplane fuel goes up and up. What are we offering, here along the river (rather than the ocean) for tourists? The historical, arts, and music resources in S. Berwick are amazing — can those be emphasized in the local economy? Is there an accounting of where money is coming in to S. Berwick, and then that can be further developed?
The state grant that was focused on pushing for an industrial park that the voters voted down was supposed to be used to gather some of that information. Reread the minutes?
Eliot and South Berwick are very tied together — by 236 and by the schools. Are there any joint meetings of the economic development groups in the two towns?
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:23 am
A PS from today’s Portsmouth Herald: can we have this kind of industry in S. Berwick/Eliot? A “$300-million-a-year environmentally conscious business”?
http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
AID=/20080323/BIZ/803230322/-1/NEWSLETTER100
(the link may not work unless you combine the two parts)
PORTSMOUTH — For Stonyfield Farm CEO Gary Hirshberg, it’s not just about the yogurt — not by a long shot.
The all-natural, organic yogurt that Hirshberg’s company produces has, in fact, become the vehicle for a two much larger and more important messages — that businesses can be profitable producing food that is healthy and actually enhances the environment, and that consumers have the ultimate power to change the world through thoughtful consideration of the environmental impacts of making and using the products they buy.
Hirshberg was at the RiverRun Bookstore on Congress Street Thursday night plugging his new book, “Stirring it up: How to Make Money and Save the World.” The book addresses not only how he turned a seven-cow operation into a profitable $300-million-a-year environmentally conscious business, but how consumer choices can force commercial enterprises to clean up their environmental acts as well.
“The ultimate secret I’ve learned from 25 years in business is that we’re in charge,” Hirshberg told the standing-room only crowd, which included his mother and wife, at the local bookstore. “When you run an item through a (supermarket) scanner, you’re voting; when you consume, you have the power to change the world.”
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:25 am
Diane, your questions are right on target. I very much would like to make sure taxes stay affordable for those who live here and want us to have a vital economy. My concern about all the talk, and that’s all it’s been, about getting businesses to South Berwick is that it has not been in the context of any plan or strategy to figure out what our assets are, target the kinds of business we want to attract, and then develop a well thought out plan for doing that. Two thirds of all jobs in this country come from small businesses yet we don’t seem to be doing a lot to lure small businesses to South Berwick or to acknowledge their importance. Also cities and towns that have the hottest economic growth are focusing on luring entrepreneurs who want to build businesses. Look at companies like Stonewall Kitchens, Bottomline Technologies, or Stoneyfield Yogurt; they all started small by local entrepreneurs and then grew into large businesses that now provide jobs and tax base to their communities.
March 23rd, 2008 at 11:51 am
music,art and history what is that going to do for us?we are not strawberry bank! then the the gentleman who pushes the scare tactic’s,of that is 66 rite aids.just like the photo that was printed to scare people about contract zoning.you know the one with either a rite aid or a walmart superimposed on the richter house next to dunkin donut’s.again something is better than nothing.
but you choose to scare people with these numbers and these absurd suggestions. oh well,talk our heads off all we want.sounds like to me you all love high taxes. good luck folks.
monday march 24,2008. 630pm be there, and come to every meeting from now on.there is a group of obviously well to do people in this town raising your taxes with no resistance
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I know that it can sometimes be difficult for you to fit the Town Council meetings into your very busy schedules, but, I hope to see more concerned citizens at future council meetings. The next one is scheduled for Monday, March 24, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall. If we had cable coverage of council meetings, our citizens would be able to see how some of our Town Council members have been conducting themselves over the past couple of years.
March 23rd, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Cliff,
You know, different people would single out different councilors as “problems”, I assure you. Your problem councilors are someone else’s favorites. That’s called democracy. How about supporting the whole council in helping them to move forward instead of throwing stones?
March 23rd, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Sharon, Dishonest underhanded tactics are not democracy they are wrong no matter what side of the issues your on.
March 24th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Wow- this blog took a bad turn in a hurry!
Our town is still in a crisis and now the most qualified person to guide us through the difficult days ahead has been removed. I didn’t always agree with Jeff, but I have no doubt that he has more experience in the daily workings of small town government then anyone on the town council. (I’m not trying to insult anyone, but our council is made up of citizens who have other full time jobs….to the best of my knowledge none of them has an background in governmental administration)
One thing I didn’t see in this stream and the issue I’d like to raise is: Why are our taxes going to increase so dramatically? As I mentioned in an earlier blog- I think it is because our state government is in an economic crisis partly because federal funding for education has all but evaporated. SAD 35 recently reported a budget shortfall of over a million dollars. It’s not their fault, the state isn’t able to provide the level of funding that it once did and someone (insert your name here) has to make up the difference.
Hoping that INDUSTRY is going to fix this problem is silly. NH is far more business friendly and you can spit there from our Town Hall! To lure business to our town, we’d probably have to promise them tax breaks! The state can’t help us. The Federal government has the highest debt in our nations history- the next president has bigger things to worry about then South Berwick, Me.
Let’s fix our own problem at the source! Our schools are great, but they are expensive. I think the idea SAD35 had of opening it’s doors to PAYING students outside of the district is brilliant! What can we do to promote this idea? Does anyone know how far it would go toward reducing the school budget shortfall?
What do you think?
March 24th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I am really hoping that many people will go to the Town Council mtg. tonight at Town Hall, 6:30.
I think it will be good to hear what our councilors have to say about their reasons for their respective positions.
Someone in town said recently, ” At Monday’s town council meeting, I would like to see strong showing of calm voters supporting the strength the council has shown in the face of high emotions and adversarial views.”
If people can/will be Open-Minded and Respectful I feel confident that our town will move forward in a good way.
We have a wonderful town and I hope we will work together. Calling each “names” doesn’t help anyone or anything….
March 24th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I’m glad you brought up the subject of paying students in SAD #35. I am opposed to the idea. The current cost for supporting a child in our district is approximately $5,000. They tuition student would be approximately $8,900. You would have to take in a lot of paying students to offset taxes. At the expense of our children’s education is not worth a $5 difference in my taxes.
March 24th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
What are the specifics surrounding his resignation? Was the Council asking for it due to an illegal activity, a breach of contract or just a difference in opinions?
March 24th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
difference of opinion! the opinion of three.i have been commenting alot on here and nobody is calling those councilors name’s.
just wait and see what kind of mess these three created.
March 24th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
According the the latest school budget, the cost for 2009 will be $24,455,342
Divided by the 2727 students expected to be in the schools, the cost per child is $8,967.85 not $5,000.
This would indicate that the shared tuition for out of town students would need to be much higher than the stated $8,900.00
School spending has gotten out of control.
Dropping 3 posistions, and replacing them with 2.5 positions causes an increase in spending?
Why is the cost per child so high?
Why is the teacher to student ratio 1:15?
That seems awfully small to me.
With the way the 2009 budget is proposed, plus the news that the state is gong to cut more funding, this means a huge property tax increase.
We can no longer afford to do business as usual.
Life long residents are already having to sell their propert because they can no longer afford the taxes.
I spoke with one gentleman after the last town meeting who is fortunate enough that his kid can by the property and give them life long residency, but not every one is that fortunate.
Do we really need to drive people out of town and into bankrupcy before the spending is controlled?
March 24th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
If you go onto the SAD #35 websit then you will see they say the cost is approximately $5,000 per child. If the case is $8,967.85 and not the $5,000 then tutioned students would pay less than it costs to support a child in the district. The State of Maine has set a cap of $8,900 for high school students and $6,300 for Elementary students. This was stated at the school board meeting. They cannot charge more.
I’m not sure where you got a student ratio of 1:15. I have two kids in the district and I don’t know of any class that has less than 20.
If they want to be in our school district let them share in the same tax structure the rest of us do.
March 24th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Searched the inrternet and found the following site
http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/me/other/864
March 24th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Not sure where this website is getting it’s data from. I can tell you for a fact that Central School has approximately 20 kids per class. MGWS has approximately 22 kids in each of the 5th grade classes. This website that you posted states at that level the ratio is 14:1.
Our teachers should be credited for the great job they are doing with the large ratio.
March 25th, 2008 at 8:19 am
When I was in school the ratio was 1:30
This meant less teachers, and less expenses.
I understand that times have changed, and the new thought is that a smaller ration is better for the students.
I don’t consider 1:20 to be exceptionally large.
I also know from having a child in the SAD 35 system that many of th teachers still feel they have too many students.
We can’t afford a 1:1 ratio, nor can we afford to make the classes any smaller.
The bottom line is that all levels of government need to be more responsible with our money.
The thought that “since the state is funding half, we can afford to do more” doesn’t wash, I pay state taxes too.
The latest I heard about the state funding crisis is that their tax relief will come FURTHER reduction in school funding.
This means yet more of the SAD 35 budget will be directed towards property tax.
Enough is enough.
March 25th, 2008 at 9:29 am
May be you should go into a class for a day and see what it is like for a teachers to teach 20+ students for a day.
In your day teachers could also intimidate kids with force. No so anymore.
No one is saying anything about a 1:1 ratio or even reducing the ratio.
Believe it or not if you look at the Town’s budget there are other places cuts could be made.
March 25th, 2008 at 9:57 am
The heart of our spiraling local education costs could also be said to be the mess at the federal level. With oil having gone from $25 to $100+/barrel and the war that should have cost $50 billion now projected at $3 trillion, the domestic federal spending we need is not reaching our school districts.
March 25th, 2008 at 9:59 am
No one is questioning wheter or not the teachers do a good job.
The facts are that with the current level of taxation at all levels, this school district can not afford to do business as usual.
Increasing class size is one way to cut costs.
If you can figure out another way to cut costs with out reducing staff,
I would be all for it.
The current situation is not supportable.
The state is not going to increase spending on our schools and will probably reduce funding.
The state is also not going to reduce the amount of taxes it collects, and neither is the federal government.
We are already seeing people selling their houses because they can afford the current taxes plus the added cost of every day life.
Will we wait untill the town is forced to start repossessing houses due to back taxes before we address this?
School funding is currently more that 50% of our taxes.
We can not afford to keep going the way we are.
The current administrator has already stated that he can’t cut any more with out cutting people.
Whether that is true or not is something I don’t know.
If we just cave in and say “OK we’ll just give you the money” it accomplishes nothing. 24 million dollars spread out over 16,000 people?
$That’s $1600 per person for the two towns, including all men women and children. Since the State is trending towards cutting off more and more funding, the full burden will be on the towns.
I don’t know about you, but when I shop for items, I drool over the high end items, but purchase what I can afford, not what I dream about.
The town and school district need to start doing the same.
March 25th, 2008 at 10:07 am
I just did a comparison of tax rates of all southern York County towns. Turns out, South Berwick is right in the middle. Some higer, some lower. Sure, spending needs to be controlled; sure, tax rates need to be carefully evaluated. But I frankly fail to see the “crisis”. Anyone can do this comparison. Facts go a lot further than rhetoric. Will someone else do a little research and seek the facts before they fan the flames of discontent?
March 25th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Actually, Kittery with all it’s commercial development and malls; and North Berwick, with the huge Pratt and Whitney plant have tax rates that are the same or higher than South Berwicks. I’m quite sure that is because of the formula for State aid to schools, which strongly diminishes the property tax benefits of commercial or indusitrial development. Many people have been pointing this out for months, but a lot of others don’t get it or don’t believe it. Again, a few facts go way beyond the rhetoric. (By the way, facts are not fear tactics, as one blogger suggests…)
March 25th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Why is that we always look to cut within the schools themselves. How about taking a peek at the aministrative salaries. I don’t know about you - but when certain administrative staff earns triple (if not more) what a teacher earns there are bigger issues. Also, there are directors for every little thing within the school system - why not consolidate those positions - I would imagine that could free up some money - not saying it’s going to solve the whole problem that would be naive - but it’s a better than punishing our kids with more cuts within their education program or worse yet, bringing in kids from other districts that will clog our already over filled classrooms and take away special services from those that need them within the district. Just something to ponder.
March 25th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I agree that cuts should be made in the administrative level first and foremost.
That goes for the town as well, before we look at cutting any teaching staff.
We should also be questioning why sidewalks are being cleared on Sundays when we’re paying a premium for the overtime, as well as how many people are actully working at the dup, etc.
That being said, our mil rate is much higher than Berwick and north Berwick, but still less than Eliot, who bears the larger chunk of the SAD 35 budget.
BERWICK 11.95000
ELIOT 17.00000
KENNEBUNK 12.85000
KENNEBUNKPORT 16.15000
KITTERY 14.00000
LEBANON 10.30000
NORTH BERWICK 10.50000
OGUNQUIT 6.85000
OLD ORCHARD BEACH 12.56000
SACO 13.32000
SANFORD 14.68000
SHAPLEIGH 8.80000
SOUTH BERWICK 13.35000
WATERBORO 10.10000
WELLS 7.95000
YORK 8.10000
The point I am trying to make is that both State and local taxes are not sustainable. The State is going to get through their budget deficit by passing the taxes back to the local communities.
Too many people in town can not aford that type of increase.
Where do we make the cuts?
The school Administrator’s salary, plus the housing allowance the school board approved are ridiculous.
The Town Manager’s salary next year (2009) would have been $133,00 according to the budget numbers.
How much of the health and dental insurance is payed by the employees of both the town and the SAD?
Do our taxes cover that 100%?
Maybe they should be paying some of that cost, just like us in the private sector,
How much would that save us?
The same holds true for the state.
There was an article last year, on CNN money, which lists the tax burdens by state,
Maine is number one
http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/taxesbystate2005/index.html
http://money.cnn.com/2005/11/22/real_estate/buying_selling/property_tax_burden/index.htm
March 25th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I think that every department from schools, to highway, to police, to fire, to town administration all overspend because there’s no incentive not to so they keep getting bigger.They all use scare tatics when you try to cut their budgets. So they have to be forced to TABOR it just may pass if it comes up again
March 25th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
This is for Tim,
who asked “music,art and history - what is that going to do for us?”
Arts and culture can be as profitable an industry as any other - when we look at what South Berwick is and what it has to offer (great and unique history, three museums, the Rollinsford Mill studios, an absurdly high number of artists, artisans, authors, musicians, performers…) it seems reasonable to consider ways to capitalize on these assets and to think about how to craft a future from them. It’s clean industry, it can attract municipal grants … and it’s good for the soul.
Anyway - I would urge you check out the NASAA (National Assembly of State Arts Agencies) website - here are a few good quotes on the subject from the site -
The creative industries play a major role in building and sustaining economically vibrant communities, serve as magnets to attract businesses and their employees, and are the main reason for stimulating a marked increase in cultural tourism.
–U.S. Conference of Mayors
When you bring art into the public eye, you benefit the quality of life. From the standpoint of enhancing reputation and economic development, being known as a place that promotes arts and culture is a real advantage for any city.
–Bart Peterson, Mayor of Indianapolis
It is in uncertain times like ours that we seek pleasure, solace, and instruction in the arts and humanities. A vibrant society gains meaning and direction from its creative thinkers. Studies show that creativity spurs economic growth; breakthroughs in understanding are essential to the task of building a world of opportunity. Creative thinking…will lead us to a more dynamic future.
–Thomas J. Vilsack, Governor of Iowa
You can go to any city in America and find an arts organization creating vitality in every neighborhood. And leaders still don’t get it. Arts and culture is the genesis of the revitalization of communities.
–Tom Murphy, Mayor of Pittsburgh
The future economic success of our state is directly tied to our ability to attract and retain exciting new jobs and young workers who are hard wired into the knowledge-based economy. In communities large and small, we must focus on economic development that makes our downtowns vibrant, our arts community thrive, and, most importantly, makes our young people want to make their homes in Michigan.
–Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of Michigan
The arts combine with more traditional quality-of-life factors including safe neighborhoods, good schools, strong infrastructure, and accessible recreational and outdoor “natural” attractions, to create more viable, desirable and livable communities. Additionally, the arts promote teamwork and team building, advance visual skills, may help increase standardized test scores and encourage problem solving–all necessary elements for a productive and self-sufficient workforce. As such, investment in the arts may be among the most innovative workforce development tools at the disposal of state governments.
–National Governors Association Center for Best Practices
Access to talented and creative people is to modern business what access to coal and iron ore was to steelmaking.
–Richard Florida, economist and author
The arts are a major force in the growth and development of our global business world. Through the arts, people learn creativity and innovation. The partnership between the arts and business improves not only economic development but also the social fabric and enlightenment of society.
–Raymond Nasher, Chairman, Business Committee for the Arts
If you want a city that will be remembered long after you are gone, make the arts an integral part of the long-term strategic plan for growth.
–Winton M. Blount, Former Chairman, Blount International, Inc.
If you do not have performing and visual arts, you don’t have a complete community. Both public and private entities must invest in the arts to enhance a community’s quality of life and its appearance. Performing and visual arts play a key role in making our city a wonderful place to live.
–Ronald J. Norick, former Mayor of Oklahoma City
How a community supports the arts provides insight into how the community views itself. By promoting vibrancy in the arts, we encourage a positive self-image for our community, our company and our employees. We make everyone’s life better by bringing the arts closer to them.
–James E. Rogers, CEO, Sunbelt Communications
The arts can provide [governors] with tools and solutions for issues and areas that more traditional policy instruments cannot adequately address. From catalyzing urban redevelopment to nurturing indigenous industries in rural areas, the nonprofit arts make a significant contribution to quality of life and sustainable growth.
–Jonathan Katz, CEO, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
As a state we must continue to embrace arts, culture and technology as an economic engine. We must embrace innovation and entrepreneurship in our schools and workplaces. We must celebrate that our young people are thriving in our revitalized downtowns. We must celebrate that our extraordinary natural resources attract new residents, tourists and the jobs that come with them.
–John Baldacci, Governor of Maine
March 25th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
You’re joking right? The only thing promoting the arts will do is get more tree hugging moon bats elected to the town council….
March 25th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Two questions.
How much do the Counting house museum, and the Sarah Orne Jewitt house bring in to town?
With the current budget short fall, how do you propose paying for the
cultural development?
There is no extra money to spend on something that “may” bring in a very little amount of money.
Since there is no parking, you wouldn’t be able to rely on the walking crowds to suddenly spark huge economic impact in the downtown area, and there’s niot really anything there to attract them anyway.
March 25th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
I think we might make a small fortune from “Tree Hugging Moon Bat” t-shirts…
March 25th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Jane, that’s a good one! Probably the people who started Tom’s of Maine, Stonewall Kitchens, and Thomas Moser will want to buy one. Probably that’s what people thought of them when they started their small businesses that have now grown into much larger businesses that bring jobs and revenue to Maine.
March 25th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
And then they’ll do what Stonewall Kitchen did, Move their warehousing to New Hampshire to escape Maine’s unreasonable tax burden….
March 25th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Wow, you do see the glass as half empty. They have a huge facility in York, it is their corporate headquarters and draws thousands of tourists.
March 25th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
No, I’m just pointing out that the business climate in Maine is out of the Town of South Berwick’s control. Trust me, I have nothing against the arts, but the arts don’t create jobs and tax revenue. Simple as that. There is no simple easy answer to our tax diversity problem, especially being a stone’s throw from New Hampshire.
His personality aside, the only thing Jeff Grossman was guilty of is exploring ideas to make South Berwick a more attractive business location. As long as we have a group of citizens out there dedicated to blocking it, no Manager friendly or not will succeed.
After the council meetings of the last couple weeks it’s apparent the silent majority is waking up, and ready to take the town back. I for one can’t wait.
March 25th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
No, Nick, I think it is the other way around. The silent majority woke up in reaction to the poorly conceived “economic development” schemes Mr. Grossman concocted. They had little to do with real economic development, and more to do with really bad government. 1,100 people voted against Contract Zoning (to 300 in favor). Many of these people were uninvolved in voting before. They turned up again in November to vote for councilors. It is they that have “taken the town back” from unresponsive managers and a previous counciul majority.
March 25th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Unfortunately for South Berwick, we dont’ have coastal route 1 going through town for a touristy type business to really be a draw.
I would love to have a TOms facitly in South Berwick. I could also see somthing like a Cracker Barrel restaurant in town, as it would fit in with the rural atmosphere people seem to want to maintain.
The problems with anything like that is no-one want anything going in near where they live.
We only have 236 and a short portion of route 4 past the golf course for anything to go in where it would be readily accessible.
We also don’t have a big draw that would entice businesses to open an office park.
No stores, and very little in the way of restaurants to support the office workers.
Down town is off limits because it would require tearing buildings down, and that would meet with huge resistance.
Someone mentioned the little hat company as proof that small business can succeed, but will they stay in South Berwick when they need to expand, and no-one will let them build?
They’ll probably move to Eliot, Kittery or York if they stay in Maine.
March 25th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
sharon the silent majority as you put it,woke up because of huge scare tactic’s.they were pushed onto the so called “uninvolved” by most likely the group you belong to.
i always see examples of business that do well in maine,tom’s,stonewall,moser,why wont they come here first hmmmm.oh yeah i forgot south berwick is not business friendly!
i sure hope a huge museum or a guitar shop opens up.that will bring-em in by the million’s.give me a break.rollinsford is lucky to have those mills where these big huge art museum’s and music buff’s can pawn their merch.
i wonder how much that really helped rollywood.
March 25th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Why do people have to belong to a group? Why can’t individuals have an opinion without being placed in “the group you belong to”? This should not be about who’s side you are taking but constructive thoughts and communication. There are people out here who do have an open mind and see both sides of an issue. But these constant comments will certainly drive people to become bitter about the “you are with us or against us” rhetoric.
March 25th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Now tim,
Those mills in Rollinsford are full of rent-paying people and businesses. The mills were refurbished and Rollinsford is taxing those properties at a higher rate because of that success. Seems that you declare failure wherever you are looking.
March 25th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Dave–Your questions are ones our community should be able to discuss. I would love to have the opportunity to learn what other towns are doing to stimulate economic development and to talk about what could happen here. I think we need to be creative and open about what will work here and evaluate every option. I don’t think either side is as rigid as they/we are being painted. I love the arts, the environment, history and I wish we had a denser downtown and would be happy to see more business downtown if it was built in a way that enhanced the town. I would love to see some entrepreneurial industry locate on 236 or 4 if it was a benefit to the town. And sometimes I don’t know what I think about something until I get more information about it and hear others ideas about it. I am willing to listen to you, are you willing to listen to me?
March 25th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
tim, If people were so sophisticated as to be organized as a “group”, it would be something to behold. I don’t know of any “group”; there aren’t any. I’ve heard charges of “clandestine” activities. Wow. Just where are these peole sneaking around planning subversive activities? The back room at Fogarty’s? You describe a world (a town) where people with real and sincere opinions are placed right with next to famous conspiracy theories, like the moon landings being a hoax.
March 25th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Molly,
I am open to others opinions.
I just worry that we will see more of the same.
It seems that no matter whjat is suggested to bring business in to town, someone has an agenda to get it shot down.
The businesses down town are all well and good, but since they rent, they don’t provide much in the way of tax relief.
The cold hard reality is, in order to succeed in bringing in business, we need to all have a more open mind. Trying to continually portray South Berwick as a quaint village will not bring any business in.
The parking and traffic downtown are horrific.
We really need a traffic light at the main intersection.
We also have a dire need for parking.
We also have no room to put any parking. This restricts any business from being very successful because there is no way to get a steady flow of customers.
In order to even pick up from the pizza shop, I generally have to park at the post office, and risk my neck crossing the street twice to get there and back to my car.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve almost been hit by cars that try to veer around a car that has stopped for the pedestrian right of way.
I believe that in the comp plan, or somewhere else like that, I saw that 19,000 cars a day go through downtown.
Just think what we could do if we could get just 1/4 of that traffic to stop somewhere in town to do business.
How many trucks a day go through so they can avoid the York tolls and weigh station? Is there anywhere short of Kittery or Dover that offers any services to trucks?
Not that I want the truck traffic to continue, but I don’t see any way to stop it.
Of course, the opposition would be about the noise that the trucks make.
Rollinsford converted their mills in to office and retail space. We converted ours into a senior center and community center.
I don’t have anything against such entities, but there is nothing but residential property tax to support them, so they don’t provide any taxes in return.
I just feel that town business should be run the same way people should run their households.
Buy what you can afford, not what you dream about.
How many people right now around the country are facing foreclosure because they bought more than they could afford?
With the state constantly reducing what they give back, but not what they take, we are being hammered hard with all the tax increases.
March 25th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I feel a need to add some factual basis to this “light” at the downtown intersection. Traffic engineers will tell you the best way to maximize traffic flow through an intersection is to have the traffic directed by a traffic cop. That’s what we do during peak traffic periods. You can’t do better. A light would cause even more hooific back-ups in comparison to the effectiveness of a cop directing traffic.
March 25th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
horrific
March 25th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Okay Dave I think you hit on something…let’s set up a toll booth on Rt 4! All proceeds would go towards our taxes!
By the way, the last two business in town (Nature’s Market and South Berwick Yoga) the buildings are owned by the people who are running the business.
March 25th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Bill,
It’s great that we have a traffic cop during the busiest times of day.
Except when school is not in session, or it’s a holiday, or it’s a weekend.
Many times it’s taken me 15 plus minutes to creep from Agamenticus road to the intersection. The entire time, I see people taking short cuts through the residential area surrounding the community center. I could do the same, but I don’t feel the people who live there should have to put up with the extra traffic.
In order to be more effective, the officer would need to be available for more than just a couple of hours a day.
A traffic light can be turned on and off. Use the officer during the busiest times, but have an alternate for when such an officer is not available.
March 25th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Bill– hooific backups sound more fun than horrific backups. Dave and Bill–I went to the Maine Dept of Transportation workshop with the town council on their study and recommendation for downtown traffic. I will write up the notes as soon as I can and post them as an article, but their recommendation is a bypass that will go around the back of the hill that Berwick Academy is on. They said it would take 7000 cars out of the center of town each day.
March 25th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Dave, I am with you on trying to get more of those 19,000 cars a day to stop and trade in South Berwick. We have something like 100 properties in our downtown (at the intersection and Lower Main Street). This is where we can all work together to support business and build our tax base. Let’s do it!
March 25th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Bill and Molly
The other reason I champion a light down town is to allow for the addition of a crossing light.
It’s downright dangerous to try to cross the street at night, and not much better during the day.
March 25th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Melinda,
you may laugh, but my neighbor and I were talking about just that one day. That and putting in a weigh station to catch the overloaded trucks that come through to avoid the York weigh station.
Unfortunately, since it is a state highway, I wouldn’t want to take odds on who would grab the cash.
March 25th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
traffic cops huh! do you remember when they were crosswalk guards?
i do,thats when you could as a citizen of this town sail right through town.
but now you cant because of them.
we created this problem.when you give the people that are using our town as a short cut a free pass to fly through here what do you expect.if i live in sanford and i can avoid toll’s and blast through stop signs in so.berwick,what do you think i will do.we let them come south in the morning and then wail down academy street in the evening.
the best part is when they all let traffic go and it’s total gridlock,that is really effective.
try to go through conway in the summer time with their traffic cops,crazy 3to4 mile back-up’s and they have lights all through town.not so effective.let them wait and they will find another way…
‘
March 25th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Molly,
The bypass sounds like it will do some good, but I get on to 4 from Aggie road, so I’ll be right smack dab in the middle of the transition area.
March 25th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
I wanted to mention - does everyone realize the new businesses in town now have to “PAY” for parking?? My question is - where is this money going - there is no parking but yet new businesses are required to pay for parking spaces - interesting?????
March 26th, 2008 at 8:30 am
So much passion! So many good ideas!
How can we boil all of this debate down into something more useful then a collection of diverse opinions?
For what it’s worth, this is my take on the situation:
The town is facing a fiscal crisis
The one person trained to deal with a crisis like this (aka Jeff) has been removed from office at considerable expense to the taxpayer.
There is plenty of finger pointing and “groups” are starting to entrench their camps
The State of Maine (and town of South Berwick in particular) is not a great place for industry mostly because of an excessive tax burden
Our Nation and perhaps the world is in in a time of economic recession for the forseeable future.
No outside agency, group or corporation is going to bail out the citizens of South Berwick.
Are you depressed yet? Here’s some good news:
We live in a desirable town. One of the things that makes it desirable is a very good school system. Another thing is that an unusual number of our citizenry are artists, musicians and authors. Many of the people who made Portsmouth artsy & desirable were displaced by the gentrification of that city to our town.
Our neighbors are bright, talented people who are also passionate about the quality of life that we all share. I don’t care which side of the fence you sit on, the citizens of this town CARE about this town. Unfortunately they don’t always back up their conviction with action- I’ve volunteered for more then a decade in different capacities and I see the same core group of people at everything.
Democracy is messy. It takes forever for a comittee to get anything done. The process fails when, instead of working towards common ground, divisions form along ideology lines and discussion breaks down to “us vs them” If you really care about the future of our town, don’t go to the town council meetings with a list of complaints. I’m sure the council members are aware of all the problems. Instead, bring a sollution, a new idea or an insightful question. “What if” is a far more powerful tool for change then “why” or the ever popular “what are you, nuts?”
Whomever you are, however wacky your idea- present it to the town.
Someone out there, right now, has the seed of an idea that is going to help us get through this crisis. It isn’t going to be easy and it isn’t going to be universally popular. All of South Berwick’s citizens- those born here and the folks from away- have to unite and face this together.
More people need to become involved. Contact Roberta Orsini and ask what you can do to help. Go to Town Council meetings. Ask your neighbors what they think. If no other good comes from this crisis, I am thrilled that people are taking notice of the issues and starting to talk. We need as many people as possible working together as neighbors if we’re going to fix the mess we’re already in!
March 26th, 2008 at 8:48 am
More traffic through town will not cause more people to stop and shop.
People won’t stop because with the traffic the way it is now it is practically
impossible to comfortably and safely park.
Off street parking like we have helps but its not very visable or close to
the stores.
Fewer cars screaming through town will encourage more local folks to
stop. With the exception of the gas stations and maybe Dunkins Donuts,
locals will be the bread and butter of Main St.
It needs to be a more pleasent experience to drive to town and park.
As it is now its a pain in the neck.
The bypass might just work.
March 26th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Brian, theres a job waiting for you at town hall.
Excellent commentary.
Thanks.
March 26th, 2008 at 9:41 am
I would like to take issue with the idea that the disorder we now experience is due to the removal of the manager. In recent years, ordinary citizens who got involved with innumerable efforts to help move South Berwick forward, from the library to the new Comp Plan to downtown revitalization to design review, have been disappointed time and again by the way the manager not only sidelined constructive initiatives but even fostered divisions among citizens and within the council. That these divisions have now erupted into even more disorder is due not to his removal — no town is crippled by the departure of one staff person — so much as to the calculated exploitation of this situation by citizens seeking to advance themselves.
If you were at Monday night’s council meeting, you saw how careful the town councilors were to respect citizens’ views, maintain a calm and constructive outlook, and reach out at every opportunity to put the town back on balance.
I firmly believe councilors who took steps to remove the manager did so only with great reluctance. Their reasons were based on what they felt was a sound, rational foundation. They acted not opportunistically or out of anger, but in what they believe is the best interests of the town.
Let’s realize that the reason this moment is so difficult is that they are LEGALLY CONSTRAINED FROM DEFENDING their reasons. They can’t lash out and make statements on TV, even while others take pot shots and circulate a petition timed to fan anger and disorder. But this does not mean the reasons are not there. I hope that the public will get to see the evidence in the public record that formed the basis of the councilors’ action.
In the meantime, I salute the town employees who are reopening the town offices, and all our town employees who do so much week in and week out to make South Berwick a great community. I also say “hats off” to chair Sue Roberge and all the councilors for the way they conducted last Monday’s very difficult town council meeting, and for the difficult weeks they have just gone through. For their sakes and our own, let’s bring the divisiveness to an end and join with these fine public servants to work on solutions together.
March 26th, 2008 at 11:13 am
THMB,
That was the most articulate explanation of why we are here, and how to move forward.
Thank you
March 26th, 2008 at 11:53 am
THMB,
I agree with Bill. It was an excellent summation of events. The unfortunate reporting on Channel 6 news yesterday at 6:00 pm gave only one side of the story and was very unfair to the Town Council. There are many people in town who support our Council, believed their actions were justified and do not agree with the individuals who feel there was a “vendetta against the town manager”. I for one will not sign any petition circulating. Let’s end this and pull together to support our interim Town Manager, Town Council and look to the future.
March 26th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Wow! What town meeting were you guys at? The one I was at I saw a room full of angry towns people who gave an ovation to Sue Roberge and Bob Gagne and heard nothing but praise for Jeff Grossman. I agree with THMB this wasn’t just the forced resignation of the town manager it’s been brewing a long time. As was brought up at the meeting it started back when we fought so hard to get the York hospital approved. These three councilors are so caught up in their own agenda that they’ve lost sight that they are supposed to represent the whole town of So.Berwick from the tatnic area to belle marsh to hooper sands and old fields not just the down town area. Sue Roberge and Bob Gagne understand that.
March 27th, 2008 at 7:55 am
There definitely were angry townspeople who voiced heated opinions, but if you paid attention you saw there were also DOZENS of other people in that room. They were quieter, but many spoke again and again in support of the council on the town manager action.
The reasons the town manager was removed have yet to be spelled out. To protect the town from potential legal action, the councilors are not able to speak about them reasons in detail. So the volume is turned way up on one side of the issue, but what are the underlying facts?
It is sometimes so easy to fan citizen anger, and that has happened. But if you are angry, be careful that you are not being played as a pawn in somebody else’s game. A number of outspoken residents have seemed intent on exploiting the situation to gain attention and dominate the political stage.
On Monday night, after people sounded off, the council then also went on to have a pretty productive business meeting, working with citizens who had come to seek amendments to the comprehensive plan. Sue and all of them did a great job I thought. They set a positive tone for everybody, and we should all take the cue.
March 27th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Max, I agree.
Also, I think it is horrible how these same people are trying have some of the council members removed. These are some of the same folks who were not re-elected. As well, I have been at Town Council Meetings that these same individuals acted in a very unprofessional manner (e.g yelling at other members during public forums).
If this happens no one will ever want to run for Town Council.
March 27th, 2008 at 11:14 am
I acknowledge that there were others in the room that quietly supported all of the council but it seems some people could witness a bank robbery and say ” oh that was just an agressive withdrawal” There is just no justification for these three councilors to take such a drastic measure as asking for the town managers resignation especially with all the problems So.Berwick is facing unless he did something unlawful and if that were the case the allegations would have been made and the council chair would have been the spokesperson
March 27th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Didn’t your parents ever teach you that there are two sides to every story?
March 27th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Ken,
MTT’s right. Here’s what I think: There were a long series of really awful actions taken by the former manager. The Council can’t talk about it. They entered an agreement with the former manager preventing that disclosure, and it doesn’t matter anyway. They made the very dificult decision to seek his resignation. It happened. They can’t talk about it and are moving on. Are you?
March 27th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
MTT and Sharon I’m not going to get personal or dignify your questions with an answer but in the long history of So.Berwick there have been some heated disagreements between councilors and or the town manager I personally know of some but to my knowledge this has never happened and it’s because they have always kept the best interest of the town over their personal differences.
March 27th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Here’s what else I think: many of the awful actions were in executive sessions or private meetings called by the former manager. People can’t talk about them………….He knew how to use the system………. Again, difficult decisions were made in seeking his resignation. I trust that our duly elected councillors were doing nothing other than acting in the entire town’s best interests. You may not agree, but it’s the council majority that is faced with these decisions.
March 27th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
sharon,we get it already! lets have happy thought’s and it will all go away right.
March 27th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Now Tim…didn’t your parents teach you to listen to others?
BTW Ken, I’ve been in town for decades and within the last 5 years have seen Town Council Members verbally attacking one another (over personal issues). Very unprofessional! One of the same members who is looking to recall Town Council Members. Now isn’t that calling the kettle black?
Sharon…right on!
March 27th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
MTT, you make my point, the town manager wasn’t asked to resign and government forced to come to a standstill was it ?
March 27th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Ken, personally I don’t think it needed to come to a standstill. Mr. Grossman chose to resign…it’s called employement at will. He chose his deperature date now didn’t he.
He initially said no, then the package (buy out) looked good so he took it.
The council members fighting are none of the current ones. So, I’m not sure what point you are making?
March 27th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Wow if you have read the previous blogs,read the newspapers,and still don’t get the point I can’t help you.
March 27th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Wow! To you as well! I’m not sure what you’re point is other than you see one side and not willing to see that there are two sides to every story. So, if that is your point I get it loud and clear.
BTW — again, in case your parents didn’t teach you…don’t believe everything you read.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Ding..Ding
Back to your corners.
The he said, she said is all over. We need to lick our wounds and figure a way out of this now. You are fighting about something that cannot be changed. The sleeping town has been woken and the majority, whichever side that is will speak. For everyone who is upset with what has happened over the last few months, all I can say is get out there and get active in our community. It is, after all OUR community.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:18 am
This is very simple, like someone at the council meeting said transparency is the key. If it turns out that these thee councilors in question were acting in the best interest of the town and not for their own agenda to remove the opposition who was hired for econmic development. Then we move forward. However if they took it upon themselves to go against the majority of So. Berwick residents they will have lost public trust and their victory will be shortlived.” You live by the sword you die by the sword” figuretively speaking speaking only.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:32 am
I am pretty sure from their previous statements that the councilors are all FOR economic development.
When it all comes out I think we’ll see the manager was dismissed largely for reasons of incompetence (wasting money) and lack of cooperation with officials he didn’t like. That’s why his projects failed also, for not being well mapped out. He waved the flag, saying all the time “I’m for economic development.” Well, most of us are. But we were also paying him for being a good town official, and that was the problem.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Ken
A problem I see here is that both “sides” feel they are the majority of So. Berwick residents. Each person is very passionate and committed about their viewpoint and it is not easy to sway a person to the other side. We will have to wait to see how things unfold, try to pull together to get past this and hope that people become involved. Going over and over again the the same phrases about the councilors vs. the will of the majority of residents won’t get us forward. The majority will make their wishes known at the voting booth - whatever “side” that may be. Let’s try to be productive, let’s try to break away from the “your side vs. our side”. Let’s all get on with solving the problems and working together.