Confrontation Over Tax Abatement for Affordable Housing Project Put Off

An expected confrontation over a tax abatement for the proposed affordable-housing development at Sowams Nursery was put off by the Barrington Town Council Monday night.

The councilors voted unanimously to defer even a discussion on a tax abatement until a later date because there has been no official application or request for such tax relief at this time. 

The council followed the advice of Assistant Town Solicitor Andrew Teitz, who advised the council not to deal with the issue without a formal request for a tax abatement.

Dealing with the abatement at this time could have an impact on how the councilors handle a request at a later date, he said. It could also result in a lawsuit.

At the same time, a representative for the DeSisto law firm, which represents the developer, East Bay Community Development Corporation, asked that the tax abatement item be taken off the agenda at around 5 pm – two hours before the start of the Town Council meeting. It was put on the agenda at a request of a town councilor.

The master plan for “Palmer Pointe” – a 48-unit rental housing development – is going through the public hearing process right now. Typically, a tax abatement as part of a developer’s financing plan is not handled until after the master plan gets approval from the Planning Board, said Teitz. 

Scores of people opposing Palmer Pointe expected to weigh in on the tax abatement at Monday's meeting. They left to confront the Town Council on this issue on another evening.