Here’s the skinny from last night’s Town Council Meeting:
All Councilors were present.
Unfinished Business
1. Discuss/take action on Back Acres Lane.There was back and forth discussion on the merits of accepting the road at this time since only two houses are built and the road has seven lots. There was a motion to postpone acceptance until 100% of the lots are built out. There was discussion with Councilor Demetracopoulos questioning whether this would preclude it being accepted if a homeowner bought two lots and only build on one. Councilor Burke questioned whether this would be a hardship on lot owners who are paying taxes. Councilor Roberge feels that it would set a bad precedent to accept a road to a subdivision that is not fully built out. A motion to postpone acceptance until 100% of the lots are built out failed by a two to three margin with Councilors Kareckas, Burke and Demetracopoulos voting against. Councilor Burke then made a motion to accept the road as of October 30, 2008. There was further discussion that there are some road condition issues that the Interim Town Manager would like to have the Public Works Director look at. The motion to accept the road as of October 20, 2008 failed on a four to one margin with Councilor Burke voting for the motion. Further discussion ensued and the Council referred back to minutes from the last meeting where this was discussed. At that time the consensus had been to postpone the decision on this road and have the Planning Board develop guidelines for road acceptance along with its other recommendations regarding subdivisions. Town Planner Jim Fisk indicated that the Planning Board is waiting for some final information and will have the subdivision ordinance on its agenda as soon as possible. A motion was made to refer this matter to a workshop between the Town Council and the Planning Board. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Discuss/take action on rezoning request. There was a motion to request the Planning Board to hold a public hearing on expanding the B1 zone on Main St. from Dunkin Donuts to Sewall Road. There was discussion with Councilor Roberge questioning the procedure with which the Planning Board had moved on this matter, Council Chair Demetracopoulos questioning whether moving ahead on rezoning would undermine the deliberative process the Economic Development Committee has undertaken to develop consensus and a plan for economic development, and with Councilor Kareckas questioning whether design review should also be part of the discussion. Town Manager Orsini clarified that this is just a request for a public hearing that will result in community input and that it does not mean that the Council has to act on it right away. The motion to request the Planning Board to hold a public hearing on rezoning passed unanimously.
3. Discuss/take action on public hearing for ordinance updates. A motion was made to hold a public hearing on ordinance updates on August 25, 2008. The motion passed unanimously.
New Business
1. Discuss Vine Street parking. Town Manager Orsini explained that since the closure of the Vine Street bridge, the Police Chief asked if the Council was still in favor of the parking ban on the street by the pond. Citizen Richard Clough asked the Council to reconsider the street parking prohibition and allow parking in front of the Jersey barriers to allow citizens to have access to the pond for recreation. Councilors were in agreeement that the present parking ban seems to be working and lifting the ban might open the town to liability issues and create access and safety issues near the bridge. They also indicated that nearby residents are happy with the current level of use at the area. There was consensus to let the parking ban stand as is.
2. Take action on election of MMA officers & executive committee. There was a unanimous vote to vote on a slate of officers for the MMA.
I read that during Monday night’s Town Council meeting:
“The motion to request the Planning Board to hold a public hearing on rezoning passed unanimously. ”
Does anybody know why or what the Town Council is trying to rezone?
Paul– As I understand it the hearing will be about the possibility of rezoning Main St. from Dunkin Donuts to Sewall Road from R1 to B1 (only that side of the street). My understanding from the meeting is that at least two property owners in that area have requested the rezoning.
WOW! That switch from residential to Business would change the look of the entire downtown!
From my understanding a B1 zone means that a business can built wall to wall using up their entire property boundaries while a residential zone has setbacks to make sure there is open space within the boundary lines.
The property owners that get rezoned from residential to business stand to make a killing by building wall to wall.
Traffic is going to get really crazy around here!!!!
On a different posting I saw the following comment:
It’s the heart of the town, so it deserves a lot more consideration.
B1 is not a good idea for the heart of our town.
I don’t understand why the town council would switch this from residential to flat out B1 (anything goes) when it was B2 (plenty of restrictions) before.
Maybe because the property owners in that zone that had it changed under the cover of darkess years ago would now like to use their property how they see fit with out all of your utopian dreams of a quaint village…
Nick,
Your cynicism won’t get the town anywhere. Seems like you favor no zoning whatsoever. I live in a residential zone. I want protections against idiots building crap next to my property.
My brother lived on Agamenticus Road for about 20 years. Back then there was no teen center, ball fields or Aggie estates. Just cow pasture. He couldn’t live with the change so he sold his house (to a couple who work in Mass
and now lives in Florida.
Unlike my brother, I don’t have a house or land to sell. And I don’t mind seeing business growth. There are probably twice as many people in this town and there was when I was a kid. I was sorry to see the “South Berwick College” (Duchess Footwear) close. Now, I guess it’s some swanky condos for yuppies. Yawn. Bring on the box stores!!!!
Edward,
Your cynicism is like Nick’s. Duchess jobs went to South America and China, like every other low tech manufacturing job. Folks born in South Berwick loved the money the got building and selling hundreds of homes in Aggie and Old Mill in the 1980′s. I remember when that was all woods and pasture. We’re not going back, and it’s not Yuppies. Get real.
Nick and Ed Yore on the right tract again! Every blog is from the same village people. Thay fought to keep the doctors parks out WHY becouse it would change the fabric and not look good in our village ! Thay were very wrong and I am glad thay lost the temper tantrum’s The very thaought of things not looking good and not fitting in is much more then HIPE its &^)&* and all of the same thing, no elderly housing , no box stores , no D D. If thay had there way glad there were fewer back then! o by the way the new buildings all around sotuh Berwicks norton street were will managed by zoning and was the best facelift this this town ever saw. Now we are again looking to stop every improvement possible by a hand full. Main street to NH has reason to want change if it is managed like the norton street end was done. Gardens and greenhouses will not make south Berwick a thriving community! Proactive planing for all of us and not just a few . Thanks to all of you interested in making South Berwic better not Just keeping it old a worn out !!!!! New morden looking downtown will all us to be proud!!!! Traffic is another issue and no one yet can begin to solve the issue we face!!!
Anon2,
It’s not cynicism, it’s a legitimate belief that people have a reasonable right to do what they wish to their own property without having to worry about some “protect the village” idiots coming along and telling them what they can and cannot do.
It’s like the Colcord House fiasco when York Hospital first tried build the current medical building. All of the sudden this house that sat in obscurity on Portland Street for a hundred years or more was an overnight historical landmark. Most people in town didn’t even know the place existed, and few miss it. I can assure you these people will come out of the wood work every time one of these so-called Form Based Zoning cases comes up.
If it was a small business that tried building on the Colcord House site instead of York Hospital with it’s deep pockets, they would have given up very early on in the process. The Village People would have won, South Berwick would have lost.
Nick,
The example you cited is an example of the system working. The overall process achieved at York Hospital was not a fiaco, it resulted in a superior project that the Town can legitimately be proud of.
BUT:
“people have a reasonable right to do what they wish to their own property….”
That’s anarchy, and no zoning. The Town moved way ahead of that in the 1970′s when it adopted zoning. Cynical? I think so.
You missed my point, any business other than York Hospital (who had a lot at stake since they were replacing an existing practice) would have never made it through the “process” you obstructionists love so much.
I guess I’ll sit back and let the educated and cultured among us make all the decisions since my “cynical” views are far too simplistic to actually work. I’m tired of being told on here that I’m negative, my glass is half empty and I’m cynical simply because I present another opinion on the blog.
I’m not against zoning, I’m not against the village, I’m not against spotted turtles, tree hugging or preserving historic homes in the down town. I am AGAINST a group of people in this town (they know who they are) who feel their opinion is the only valid one. They feel rest of us are just dumb “nuke and pave” rednecks who have never left the confines of South Berwick and don’t understand economics. We could never possibly appreciate “quality of Place” of any of the other BS they put out there to prolong development.
These people talk about culture, the arts, coffee shops and other crap that won’t mean didly squat to 90% of the hard working 9-5 citizens in this town. As is the trend in politics these days, there seems to be no middle ground on this issue, and nothing gets acomplished except the forming of more committes, workshops and hoops for prospective business and residential projects. One word…. Stall Tactics
Nick,
You don’t seem interested. or offer, any middle ground
Nick, you work, I work, most people work. We’re all making a living as best we can. Even though I’m a worker, I want responsible zoning and an great downtown (and rest of town, for that matter). I’m not a “staller”, I’m a concerned citizen that doesn’t want to have a Town that makes mistakes.
I agree. Most South Berwick residents, when asked in survey after survey, reply that they would like the town stable, with as much of it intact as possible given that we are in the prime area for development and population growth in the northeastern US.
PS It also seems reasonable to wish that our town be protected as much as possible from the kind of developers, like chain stores, where profits all leave town. We don’t want South Berwick to be exploited, but rather should have zoning that favors the kind of independent local business owners we currently have, so the prosperity of their businesses stays here. That’s the kind of good planning we pretty much all want our town government to do. It just is common sense.
Max,
I wish more people like you, who think clearly, and articulate well would speak up (or write up).
Nick it could not be put forward any better !! You hit every point and then some I have seen it for years and the york project along with the whole norton street rehab is never going to be alowed by the village treehugers, that think green houses and gardens, will build the town to what . Not sure
annon 2 there is lots of middle groud open you eyes !!!
Max what are you talking about survey after survey !! that my point talk about the facts and articulate the point. there are no survey’s out there with any meaning or base and you know it. please lets move on to proactive development for the better of this community. you seem to be maxed out!!!
The issue with downtown zoning is whether typical commercial development — the kind we see in other downtowns and Miracle Miles, where gas stations, chain restaurants and strip malls replace traditional neighborhoods — is something we want.
We haven’t seen it yet, because for the past decade the town had zoning in place that kept it out. But during that decade, traffic has risen to close to 20,000 cars per day. If the zoning restrictions are lifted, is there any doubt that Pizza Huts will follow, lining up between Dunkin Donuts and Cumberland Farms? Lying in the cross-hairs of two state highways, South Berwick will be a target just as is every other suburb in the northeastern US. And our independent local stores and restaurants will be hard pressed to compete once the out-of-town chains hit.
Under pressure from the property owners seeking to take advantage of their marketable location, the town council in seeking expansion of the B1 zone is seriously considering lifting the protections that keep South Berwick one of the last intact, walkable, charming villages in our region.
Do residents want this? I don’t think so!
Are ther others that think like HF? If so, post a comment.
Looks like the start of a Blog Poll.
No.
I don’t think so! too.
Hmmmm. I don’t get to check in as often as I’d like. Thank you, Anon2. I have appreciated Nick’s comments a lot. He seems like a smart, articulate guy who speaks from the heart. You compliment me by lumping me with him in calling us cynical. If holding the opinions we do make us cynical, I’m “wicked” glad I am. Cheers!
Nick, I’m with John C (me thinks he is a cynic too perhaps, the beast!)
Thanks for your posts. You speak the truth man! Keep it up.
The elite need to hear us. Oh, and as a side note, I read in the Foster’s that Richard Clough had the audacity to request notes from a council meeting? The nerve of this man! Who does he think he is by expecting our town government to be accountable to us? Hey, you know what? I’ll bet he is cynical too!
Hi Everyone
Wow here we are polarizing again, the good versus the bad, but who are the good and who are the bad?
Do we need to have change? YES.
Does that mean rezoning? YES.
But we need to be careful a on what we wish for and especially on how to go about changing.
Do we have charming a downtown? NO. It is a decrepit building falling apart, it is only the smart sings and painted store fronts that hide the real look of the building.
I am for change if done with careful consideration for the past and the future, a modern looking building built today will be historic in 100 years.
Traffic is killing the town, and most of it is through traffic, ( how many of those stop to shop? especially the truckers) 20,000 a day very charming. It is noisy, dirty and dangerous, try crossing the street, especially further down on Portland St. the speeders will make you jump.
There was mention of Mr. Clough who has the audacity to ask for notes scribbled by councilors. Well having a right and exercising it are two different strokes. (He can keep minutes of the meeting.)
Since the gentleman has been ousted as a councilor he has exercised every right possible to slow down and harass the council.
To ask for certain information on a subject at times to get clarification is ok, but to do so for everything????????…..Mr. Gagne does not keep notes, so how do you get info from him?
To ask to speak on every Agenda Item and then not to speak?
How about the Budget Meeting every Item was changed with no information given on how the new numbers were calculate.
How about a Ballot vote on every Item to slow the process down, was this done in the hope that most people would leave, changing the majority?
I go to a lot of town council meetings and enjoy the ability to participate, but there is a fine line between participation and harassment.
I do not always agree with council decisions, I have been trying, for over two years, to get the town to put up signs asking the truckers not to use the engine brakes in the Village area, so far to no avail. I even had a signature list with over 200 names asking for action. These signs are to be found all over the state.
Oh by the way I am a TREEHUGGER in the last 10 years I have somewhat successfully planted close to 30 trees on my property, fruit and shade given, and lots of oxygen.
George .
David Burke, Sue Roberge, Bob Gagne and Jean Demetrocoupolis are the four “leaders of the town” that are pushing for wall to wall construction in the heart of our town.
They have set the stage to go through the politically necessary “public hearings” and then they will rezone the downtown properties.
Only a couple property owners will benefit by this rezoning and the downtown will forever be in line to become a chain store strip zone.
These “leaders” have their minds made up.
The only way to possibly have any affect on their vote is to call them, write them or speak out at meetings.
This entire process is going to be fast. The deal could be written in stone by September.
If you care then let them know.
David Burke 384-4277
Jean Demetracopoulos 384-5030
Bob Gagne 384-2026
Suzanne Roberge 384-5278
Michelle Kareckas 384-2584
Anon2,
I do offer a middle ground. I think rezoning a 200 yard section of our down town isn’t too much to ask, especially if the people in that zone want it.
I hope everyone else on here can see through the “big box” scare tactics put forth by the villagers…. Let me tell you folks, Wal-Mart, Lowe’s, Hannaford and Home Depot aren’t bulldozing those houses and clearing the corner of 236 and Main Street any time soon…. Don’t believe the crap.
Not even Pizza Hut or Burger King? Come on, of course they’d want to be there on that corner if our leaders are dumb enough to let them in– and such chains would take customers and revenue from OUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESS PEOPLE!
Zoning should benefit residents’ priorities. The proposed B1 zoning has no safeguards from the kind of development that takes dollars out of communities and sends profits to distant corporations.
Sorry, I had to speak up on Mr. Clough’s behalf. I thank Richard Clough for doing what he does. It is because of the town councilors’ actions that I think Mr. Clough wants to send a message about transparency. No more decisions made in secret. One might disagree with his method, but I think his motives are right on and I think he probably does it because he loves this town and enjoys living here. And, there is one councilor who continually displays negative, aggressive and unprofessional behaviour. That should stop. Why isn’t everyone speaking out against her? I’ve been labeled a ‘cynic’ here on the board which I why I don’t post too much anymore, but I hate to see Richard’s name brought up so negatively when he is not here to speak for himself.
Where do property owners rights fit in this discussion? I know if I owned let’s say the lot on the corner of Sewall Rd. and Main St. and Aubachans or Ace Hardware approached me with a generous offer and were dissuaded by the anti development people I’d be holding them liable for the money I’d be loosing.
Ken, that’s a perfect illustration of how “design review” (or the “performance standards” someone recently mentioned) is the solution we need. Then you could put that Ace or Aubuchon Hardware right there, and it would be terrific.
We don’t need to be at each other’s throats here. Why be polarized? Think smart solutions! Zone for business, but put in limitations to keep developers from wrecking what we have. Let the property owners make money, let residents shop and spend, and let everybody enjoy the community atmosphere.
For the Town Council to ignore good planning and rush ahead with flat-out B1, without performance standards, is irresponsible. The solution — design review or whatever — is probably sitting in the files of the planning office. The council should adopt it first, and then get a business zone town that is stable and thriving. The whole community would rally behind it.
Ken,
Nobody is saying No to a business. People are just saying that when the rezoning to business occurs please add to the zoning laws concepts like set back, percentage of lot coverage, parking lot placement regulations, etc. Added zoning requirements can make for a much better looking town and discourage demolition.
The councilors are being pressured. I say to David Burke and Jean Demetrocopolous, slow down, make some compromises and act responsibly.
nick,im with you on the crap!!! these anti-everything people are always pushing the big box store scare onto all of us.
that will never happen.i no we can have resonable zoning rules to keep say a hardware store from becoming to big in the heart of town.
but,these people do not want a thing happening to the so called village. i totally agree with george,the downtown is in total disrepair.our own historical centerpiece is falling apart (jewett house).it looks terrible.
its all fancy signs and paint jobs.i cant imagine if someone wanted to say fix up a historical building in town,OMG!!!!!!you folks cant have everything your way everytime.
i also think nick is dead on when he says that he is tired of being painted as a cynic or any other name that you folks want to call us .
you have an opinion about the future of this town. we also have some vision of what this town could have.you talk about middle ground! maybe you folks should try standing on it some day!
You know, it’s not necessarily what the current owners want to do. I hear rumored it’s a bunch of condos. (Funny, more residential… what business?) It’s what may happen 5, 10, or 15 years out with perhaps new owners. B1 would be awfully hard to get off of, with it’s limitless development potential. Pizza Hut? Taco Bell? Very certain possibilities with B1, and there would be no way to stop that with simplistic, no brains B1.
This is at the heart of our town– across from two churches, across from residential Academy Street. It frames the entrance to the community. This is a big deal. B1 is stupid, it reflects no thought or creativity, it’s short sighted. The Planning Board and Town Council can do much, much better, and they absolutely should do better.
Well put, Sharon.
Not only that, from what I understand, there may be legal ramifications when towns do zoning in too piecemeal of a fashion– half a dozen properties here and there. If the zoning is done wrong here, there could be consequences elsewhere. Or, to put it positively, the Town Council and Planning Board should be planning comprehensively, following the goals laid out in the previous planning efforts that have gone on, including the Comprehensive Plan and even short-term events like the Vision 2020 evening of a few years ago. Both of those had widespread citizen input.
What the Council and Planning Board definitely shouldn’t do is give a knee-jerk response to a handful of property owners just because they ramp up the pressure. That is irresponsible.
tim,
try using the shift key. it’s easier to read. and, what’s your idea? things are so bad that we just give up?
and tim,
Actually, the Jewet hosue is being very well maintained. I don’t know why you would suggets otherwise. Have you noticed all te work that’s being done? Maybe it’s your gloomy outlook. Maybe you want that space available for commercial development, too.
You know Anonymous you may be on to something. If the historical society could acquire the funds it might not be a bad idea to move the Jewett house down near the Hamilton house and create a walking village there. Sara had family ties with the Hamiltons, I think she would like that, and it would create space for business and or parking. Just a dream but it is not sacred it’s just a house. By the way So. Berwick had more business and industry when she or Gladys were alive.
Ken, Nick, Edward,Tim and John c, and others,
I have a suggestion or request. You guys typically react to other posts, with reactions, sometimes witty, but always reactions to other peoples posts that you obviously don’t agree with.
Will you express what you think S. Berwick should do going into the future? Please do it without commenting or reacting to others posts. maybe you can comment on:
– Your ideas for what kind of business development we should have?
– Should zoning be changed? Where and to what?
– Should we have zoning at all?
– What kind of S. Berwick do you envision?
Or anything else that occurs to you.
Just offer your ideas, not reacting to others, or characterizing what kind of person makes these posts.
Bill I hope you’re not insinuating that I’m a mudslinger and never bring my ideas to the table. I would have to disagree; I’ve brought many ideas to the diner table only to be dismissed as pessimistic, archaic and overly simple. But, fair enough, I’ll play.
I agree zoning is an integral part of any community. Where I get frustrated is when the zoning process allows for small groups of individuals to prolong the process needlessly because a particular project doesn’t suit THEIR wants, needs, visions or ideals. We “committee, workshop and process” things to death here, IMHO, it needs to stop. I’ve never felt the need to go voice my opinion on someone else’s development project, especially if their on the other side of town from where I live. As I see it, far too many people in South Berwick feel they have a right to meddle in other people’s affairs when it doesn’t affect them.
Last year the company I work for went under contract on some property in the industrial park in Dover out on 6th street. When it came time for meeting with the city, we got bogged down in green space, the amount of grass, the number of, and what type of trees we HAD to plant in order to get a permit, colors, materials styles and so on…. The demands of these groups drove the cost of the project up so high that we ultimately scrapped the whole plan and elected to remain in our old location (not in Dover). The city missed out on a $1 million project because a few environmentalists got in the way with THEIR visions of what OUR property should look like. Remember, this was in an industrial park, not down town, not a residential area, not a mixed use zone… an industrial park.
Why tell this long story? Because it’s one of the things that lead me to feel the way I do. I don’t want to see these same things continue to happen in South Berwick. I love our downtown, I love the atmosphere but we can’t keep this stigma of being anti-business. I wholeheartedly support well planned zoning that speaks for itself and keeps the special interests out of it. I look at towns like Freeport, who has a McDonald’s right in the heart of the downtown. Without the golden arches, you wouldn’t even know it was there. I think we can do the same thing, but by building it into the code, not leaving an entrepreneurs hopes and dreams lie in the hands of a few individuals. That’s all I ask.
I believe we should develop an industrial area on Route 236. I know it’s not a magic pill for tax relief, but it can produce some local jobs and diversity in the tax base. The conservative in me has a huge problem with the idea of stifling growth out of fear of losing state aid, but that’s the state we live in I guess.
The folks who own property in the area under discussion now had their zoning unceremoniously changed on them a couple of administrations ago. It’s the right thing to do to change it back, regardless of people’s personal preferences. For the record I wouldn’t be happy with a Rite-Aid, Burger King or Chili’s there either. I would love a place to get breakfast on a Saturday morning, and a hardware store would be very convenient, but it’s not up to me.
I have a huge problem with the way former managers and town councils handled previous development ideas. Why couldn’t they have just been up front and honest about the proposed park on 236 and Contract Zoning? Were these plans perfect? NO. But they were destined to fail from the beginning when even likely supporters (such as me) were turned off immediately by the perception that the town office was being shady about things. I’m all for open government and dialog as long as it’s not used as an obstruction tactic.
I hope I’ve been able to better articulate some of my thoughts and ideas. I really enjoy the exchange that takes place on this blog, here’s to many more “spirited” debates. Hey, with my new warm-fuzzy attitude I may even slow down at the next turtle crossing sign I see.
I second Bill’s motion — Ken, Nick, Edward, Tim and John c, I can’t find any constructive suggestions or ideas in your posts. I hear loud and clear your disdain for residents who favor a small town village with independent small shops. You completely dismiss the ideas of attracting visitors to town with culture, arts, reserved green park area and historic architecture. Well, exactly what kind of businesses and building would you like to see happen in town?
Most of us share some of your cynicism about the process of social change. But cynicism is a defensive reaction — an emotion. It’s not a philosophy, it’s not leadership, it has no vision, and not a means to an end. It’s just not getting us anywhere.
So far, I like the vision of town that you scoff at, the one put forth by the Treehuggers. If you want me to change my mind, you need to describe your alternative. Tell me some specific examples of businesses that you wish would come to this town, and how they’d fit in. Where? What kind of building? What traffic impact would it have? How many people might it employ? How many people in town would use the service? What would happen to the current businesses and looks of the present town? What would happen to my taxes?
And lastly, I disagree with the Tim’s viewpoint that the buildings downtown are decrepit and not worth preserving. It seems that every successive generation in America builds cheaper, less durable and less beautiful buildings than their predecessors. I think old buildings are worth saving just to honor the workmanship that went into them. The Europeans figured this out long ago. They manage to update buildings much older than ours, in small towns like ours, and they feel it is well worth it.
Ooh, please don’t squash the herps! I’ve been toying with the idea of getting one of those new Honda’s powered by compressed natural gas (CNG). However, the closest places to get a fill-up (since our town doesn’t have natural gas) is Portland, Maine or Bow, NH. Northern Utilities could have a small spot here in South Berwick to provide fill-ups. It would encourage small business, provide a great product and encourage more people to drive more economical cars. The mileage is the same as a regular car, but the cost of the fuel is way less, as is the carbon footprint, for those that care about that. I’m calling Northern Utilities on Monday.
Thanks, Nick. I appreciate your earnest opinions.
Nick and Tim you are causing problems here for the village people. No change in my town and I mean it . Can you imagine what sewall and main would look like if some one cleaned up that mess! wow lets not do that . MY CLOSE FRIEND HAD A HART ATTACK LAST WEEK!!!! SORT OF LIKE OUR RUNDOWN VILLAGE!!! THAY PUT IN TWO STENTS . Wow what a change, he looks great. Do you think the heart of South Berwick would look better with some rehab and good planing!!! or a couple of stents . I do. The village is very run down and the point was made above verry clear any thing we do today to better the town will be history in 100 years so lets clean up and rebuild the town properly! I will keep going back to Norton street and lower Main Street. It Did wonders for Downtown and wow no burgerking ,HD,walmart, or Pizza hut. Why , I bet It is somehow related to the State of N.H. No tax N.H. And yes People The Jewitt Home that very feww of you have ever entered is falling appart. Take a tour !!! Remember the chadborne house! what you have never heared of it . Thats great becouse it now makes our town look much better. Thank You york hospital. we are greatfull that you had the money to fight off the same people we see today not wanting change . George thank you very much for the extra trees It off sets all the CO from those big trucks. Please take a real hard look at what is really going on and lets make south berwick a better place to live, visit and have fun! I am also thankfull some did not try to stop the outlook. That to was once a historic farm, but I have to say It now is a place that people talk about and will create history in years! Have i said enough!
I need my spell check fixed Sorry!!!!
Fact: The Flynns and others bought their property knowing full well it was zoned RESIDENTIAL.
Paul,
Fact: All of the 4 current business owners in this area have owned their properties for many years. 3 owners over 25 years and myself the youngest 15 years(long before this zone was changed illegally from business zoning to residenial only zoning in the cloak of darkness 8 years ago). 50% of the property owners in this Sewall St. to Dunkin Donuts area have small businesses that employ local people and help the community and school system.
Fact: This area was always zoned for business since the 1970′s when zoning was made policy in this town.
Fact: Businesses have operated in this area for over 200 years. As the railroad ran down Rte 236 across Main St. and through Central St in front of Village Motors and Spray ME and down to Rollinsford.
Thank you Nick for your comments they are on the money.
anonymous- sorry u cant read and im not perfect! i dont recall asking to demo the jewett house. i love the history in this town,i have read all the books and visited all the homes in my town have you?
thanks for your concern though. i never said that we should do nothing.that is what others on here say.
i am all about doing something,i dont know where you got that out of my post. putting up a new fence is great,but waiting until it falls down first is not so great.my idea is to keep the buildings architecture to period. the hospital building fits in perfect with the others. dont you agree?
you folks always have to go to the extreme with how you disagree with others opinion!
yeah i really want the jewett house moved but better yet burned to the ground,to put say a greenhouse or a tree farm!!
give me a break!! i guess you are the only one who likes history.wrong,i happen to enjoy it. so keep going to the extreme when you post and i will keep laughing my @$% off!! again im sorry im not perfect with spacing. i will try to work on it just for you mr. anonymous.
tim,
So what’s your idea or vision for the town? Besides lampooning other people’s posts. (Witty as your responses may be).
What about zoning? Is it a good thing? What about change? What should we save? What can go? What kind of businesses do you see coming? How can we get them? What kind of mix of businesses would you see?
To the Planning Board,
I don’t understand what’s happening: You declined the Town Council’s request in July to hold a hearing on B-1 for the central corner across from the churches, and cited the work the EDC is doing to determine the community’s ideas for economic development. You also cited the the PB is not “reactionary”. Both are reasoned and intelligent positions.
Now you are taking up the exact same question, less that a month later. I must wonder– who got to whom? What pressure, and who’s changed vote is the Council counting on? Are the PB flunkies for the Council? I guess we’ll see on Tuesday who’s been picked off by the Council, unless between now and then you remember your opinion of last month.