Shout Out to the Economic Development Committee

[Mom74]

Take a look at an article in today's Globe.
Biotech companies need space, as they are outgrowing Cambridge.
Likely, they will need it BEFORE the Lowell Junction Interchange project even breaks ground. Ok, they need it now.
Tewksbury has land, easy highway access, commuter rail access (ok, so they'd need a shuttle), and LOW taxes.

Someone, please, start courting these companies.

http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2 ... paign=8299

[redbarchetta69]

I assure you Andover, Wilmington, and Billerica are right on the case. As for Tewksbury, these companies (unlike strip malls,fast food restaurants, and ice warehouses) don't fit into our towns character. The town is too busy trying to make a pretty town center to worry about these companies. Plus the neighbors wouldn't accept it.

[swamper]

Why do you feel the need to diss the Town Center planning/zoning initiative yet again? If anything, I believe having an overlay district will help the EDC in creating potential options for better redevelopment of properties in the future to avoid more of that "strip mall look" so prevalent in town you speak of. If you haven't actually attended a meeting of either of these committees on these issues you seriously do not know what they're all about or what they're working on so shouldn't criticize them unfairly. With the many "negative things" to pick on in town, I suggest you leave the positive ones alone.

[bkhote]

I agree we need to attract IT/BioTech jobs to Tewksbury and we have location and access facility. It seems we
are still farming when rest of the state is going high-tech and beyond. Every time I pass Burlington(exit 33), I see a new
office park under construction. There are three huge office parks that are being built near exit 33.
They don't have land but still manage to squeeze in what ever they have. From Tewksbury(exit 41), we can reach Boston in
20 minutes. Why are we not exploiting the assets we have? Its like we are purposely being held back.

[redbarchetta69]

The town center project could be a positive for the town if done right. However, this seems to be the only thing the Economic Development Committee is doing since it's popular with the powers that be. They aren't doing what they are designed to do, which is develop the town's economy. All you hear is Andover and Wilmington getting all these new businesses in town, while everyone here wonders why our town leaders are asleep at the wheel. it's time for the EDC to do what we actually appointed them to do and not focus on a "feel good" project.

[swamper]

Again you are putting out misinformation. Firstly, the Town Center Overlay District is a PLANNING BOARD ZONING INITIATIVE, put forth by the Zoning Bylaw Sub-Committee... it has nothing directly to do with the Economic Development Committee....I only mentioned it could stand to potentially help incentive-wise in a redevelopment situation, providing more options to the property owner than straight commercial zoning. Secondly, why would you assume it wouldn't be done right as it will be adhering to the guidelines put forth in our Master Plan. Lastly, you would have NO idea WHAT the EDC is working on nor their priorities if you've never actually attended a meeting, all of which are posted and open to the public. Why not come educate yourself.

[bferrari]

Oh my god, you mean that there is a need for biotech space ? Come on now, we didn't see that coming now did we. Thought that sheep at Town Meeting voted to build a mall, because it was smarter than having biotech space....

[Rabib]

Just wait till that 3 Million a year starts rolling in, then we will see who is laughing. We should ask Joe Gill when we will get the check.

[bkhote]

Rabib,

Looks like I missed something. What is thi 3MIl/year deal.

Thanks
BK

[swamper]

That was the so-called revenue per year the Town was promised by Mills Corp. upon completion of the mega-mall which Joe Gill proclaimed publicly would be happening by the end of his tenure in 2007. Too bad all of it hinged on the new I-93 Lowell Junction interchange which even NOW is STILL YEARS AWAY! As we now know, Mills Corp. tanked in the interim so it is a moot point. Much of this was predicted from research by STOMP (Sensible Taxpayers Opposed to Mall Plan) back then, who were pushing for Biotech for the area/location but the former town officials et al refused to listen narrow-mindedly focusing on the mall while putting all their eggs in the Mills basket and we see how THAT worked out! Talk about putting the "cart before the horse" but "most" all bought into the Mills' spin hook, line and sinker.

[cozmo]

Swamper I was just wondering, would one of the functions of the Economic Development Committee be to try and fill some of the vacant store fronts and vacant lots in Town? Driving on Rte,38 there are so many unkept lots that are an eyesore, one being the vacant lot across from Hafners which has all tall weeds there. To bad this Town didn't have some kind of bylaw requiring the owners of these vacant lots to at least keep them clean.

[swamper]

I believe that will be one of the many facets of the EDC to address such issues. Unfortunately, much of the maintenance issue you mention would be up to the property owner themselves (ie. they couldn't be forced unless it became a BOH matter) It's more like a case of personal pride of the individual re. their property maintenance, not to mention the enforcement aspect which would be difficult to uphold.

[cozmo]

Billerica Town meeting adopted the following new by_law at last nights Town meeting. I wish Tewksbury would do something like this.

" BillericaTown Meeting also approved a new bylaw addressing the upkeep of vacant commercial and industrial properties. Owners must register vacant properties with the building inspector and pay a $25 fee per year, which can be waived if there is evidence of hardship. It also attaches fines up to $300 for failing to maintain maintenance and upkeep standards. The town has the right to place a lien on a property if fines are not paid."

An amendment was made to clarify that the article's intent of only going after commercial property owners and not residential.

[bkhote]

Rt38 passes through both Tewksbury and Wilmington. How come they could attract these
many business where as we have over dozen 'prime' vacant lots on this same street?
I would like to know what are we doing to attract new businesses to the town. South Tewksbury
looks ghost town with so many unmaintained lots and rest of the premises posting Lease/Sale sign.

Last time I checked the Eco. Dev. Comm. website , I did not find agenda, time-line, plan?.

-- BK

[swamper]

BK.....FYI...the next mtg. of the EDC is right around the corner......according to the Town of Tewksbury Website:

Economic Development Committee
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 7:00 PM
Tewksbury Senior Center, Chandler Street

Keep in mind that most of the members of the EDC serve on several other Town committees as well. Also Town Committees in general will be going into "vacation schedules" for the summer months, thus meeting infrequently. I do know that with the successful passage of the additional and subsequent "southern end of town" zoning overlay district Planning Board initiative at this most recent Spring Town Mtg., the initial stage has been set. These issues have been neglected for so long.....it takes time under new leadership to get back on track.....baby steps! Stay tuned.