Windham town councilors discussed a variety of issues at Tuesday night’s workshop session. At the top of the agenda were discussions of a new bridge for an old road, radios courtesy of a Homeland Security grant, more discussion of the North Windham TIF district, and an announcement of an all-encompassing committee to review how best to implement the town’s Comprehensive Master Plan.
A new bridge
Swett Road Bridge is in poor condition and needs to be replaced, says Doug Fortier, Public Works Director.
As it stands today, Swett Road Bridge is an “old granite abutment built with steel girders and wood decking” that has deteriorated through the years, he said. The bridge connects a gravel portion of the road between Route 202 and Chute Road.
Last June, the Department of Transportation reported that the bridge was in disrepair. In response to this evaluation, the town posted a “5-ton limit” for the bridge in November of 2005.
Through consultation with Pine Tree Engineering of Bath, Fortier has proposed a “polymer coated steel pipe arch” to replace the old bridge at a cost of $97,400. This price tag includes engineering costs ($10,000) and the cost of the old bridge’s demolition ($15,000).
The new bridge would be paid for through the Public Works budget and Public Works employees would perform the construction if approved by the council, Fortier said.
The new bridge would be comprised of 11-foot travel lanes, 4-foot shoulders and steel guardrails. It is estimated that the bridge would last one hundred years.
Better, safer radios
Thanks to a federal Homeland Security grant, Windham Fire Department is planning to buy new radios for safer and better communication on scene during emergency calls.
Sixty-three new radios with 160 operating channels will replace the fire department’s old radios at a cost of $55,444 in grant money.
“All of these radios are intrinsically safe,” said Fire Chief Charlie Hammond. “So if we operate them in a hazardous environment, they wouldn’t cause a spark.”
The new radios would also “standardize” and improve communication between firefighters, Hammond continued. Currently, communication on the old radios often “ties up” the same frequency during multiple emergencies.
TIF proposal
Windham Town Council members have come to consensus that they would like to create a new Tax Increment Financing district, or TIF district, to shelter tax revenue generate by the new Lowe’s and Home Depot retailers from the state.
The two commercial properties are estimated to bring in half a million dollars in new taxes when they go on the books April 1. Without the TIF district, the town would lose $250,000 through a reduction in state subsidy.
TIF districts act as “tax shelters” for the town where tax revenue within the specified district is split between the town’s general fund and a special account for town infrastructure and economic development opportunities like road improvements and public sewer.
Before April 1, the council must decide how it wants the proposed North Windham TIF District to function. Economic Development Director Keith Luke suggested a 20/80 split, with 20 percent of the captured tax revenue going toward TIF projects and 80 percent returned to the general fund. Through the lifespan of the TIF, this ratio would shift more money into the general fund gradually. Councilors have debated various lifespans of the TIF and a possible 50/50 split or 70/30 split.
Councilors discussed with Police Chief Rick Lewsen the possibility of creating a police substation in North Windham using the captured money. However, it was resolved that the substation would not remedy any of the police or fire department’s space needs. Councilors and both Lewsen and Fire Chief Charlie Hammond repeated again and again that the Public Safety headquarters on Route 202 is “bursting at the seams.”
The Town Council will review the effectiveness of past TIF districts in deciding how to proceed. Councilors will also be compiling lists of infrastructure projects to be funded by the TIF.
Master committee?
Town Manager Anthony Plante is advising that the town put all changes outlined by the town’s new Comprehensive Master Plan on hold. He advocated Tuesday night for a meeting of the minds among everyone involved in the process. This includes the Ordinance Review committee, the Comprehensive Plan Implementation committee and the Planning Board and Town Council.
“We’re at a point in the process where we’re not sure where the process really is,” Plante said.
By having “everybody in the room,” Plante hopes to work out the frustration and confusion that has bogged down the process so far.
The state still has not certified the town’s Comprehensive Master Plan – a 10-year plan required by state law to help town’s update their ordinances and plan for the future. Regardless, the town plans to proceed with implementing the plan as soon as everyone involved has fine-tuned the process with a clear vision of how it will affect the town.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
