The Town Council was expected to vote on a referendum proposal this week for $4 million to purchase 141 acres from Matt Rines, brother of the late Bernard Rines, for whom the roundabout and bypass on Rt. 114 was named. This property abuts the current Industrial Park and is also accessed from Main St. near JP Noonan.

The current Industrial Park is almost 100% full but the Town needs to attract more businesses to ease the tax burden on residents. The taxes that homeowners pay do not cover the costs of our schools, public safety, public works, etc. The Town anticipates that TIF funds and the sale of lots in the park will pay for the $4 million cost.

The Town has been negotiating plans for this project for several months. Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak “sees this project as having an enormous potential positive economic impact on the Town.”