August 24, 2008
Fosters
ROLLINSFORD — Voters on Saturday rejected a proposed bond for a $400,000 land purchase at a special town meeting, shrugging off appeals to look to the town’s long-term goals.
With 63 yes votes and 94 no votes, it was clear most voters agreed with those who voiced concerns at a recent public hearing on the issue and on Saturday about the price of the land, calling it too much in today’s lagging economy.
“You’ve got a bunch of people here who don’t want it,” resident Janet Norton said, gesturing to the packed gymnasium at the Rollinsford Grade School. “It’s Saturday. This is wasting our time.”
While her comments generated applause from many in the crowd, others who spoke for the land purchase — which would secure about 13 acres of land behind St. Mary Church and next to the Scoutland property for preservation by the town — also received positive responses.
“This is a chance for the town to buy a piece of land so Rollinsford can remain Rollinsford for half a cup of coffee a week,” said resident Steve Roberts, who compared the impact of the estimated annual tax increase of 14 cents per $1,000 of valuation to the cost of a cup of coffee; just a few cents extra each week.
“I think for a half a cup of coffee a week, this is a chance for the town,” he said.
The property was offered to the town by Walter Fisher for $450,000 with a $50,000 gift. He is being represented by resident Paul Connolly, a civil engineer and land surveyor, who for several years has been working with Fisher to devise a workable use for the land.
Storage units originally were proposed, but after the town expressed displeasure at that plan, it was changed to residential housing. That only could occur if the town changed the zoning on the land from industrial to residential.
Eventually the proposal became selling the property to the town, but residents have let it be known they think the cost is simply too much.
“The way our economy and the way our taxes are, $5 a month is a lot, nevermind $35 a year,” said resident Roger Clement. “All we’re doing is driving (the elderly) out of their homes.”
Ed Jansen, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said the town should seize the opportunity to own the land as it is “really the only lot left adjacent to the Salmon Falls River that has not been protected from development” and he’d much rather see the town in control of the parcel’s future than an outside entity.
Selectman Patrick Caroll also addressed development, saying: “By voting no we’re saying we care very much about the town, but we’re not really going to do anything about it. The message we’re sending is of where we want to send this town in the future.”