Exeter at a Crossroad

Exeter, like so many other RI towns, has prepared at significant effort and expense, a Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinances to guide its development and to promote a sustainable economy and a vibrant rural community. RI state officials are accelerating their past pattern of erosion of our local zoning ordinances through allowing, in effect, two residences on a single lot. In addition to threatening our rural character it will be adding more students to the EWG School District resulting in increased property taxes.

Exeter is a rural town with no infrastructure and very limited potential for commercial or industrial growth to increase its tax base. A properly developed CEA ordinance that is fairly taxed can help provide the necessary expansion of our tax base beyond just residential properties and to finance improved town facilities.

There is much needed space at the existing Town Hall and I am an advocate for building a Town Hall on the Library site. A Master Plan was developed by the Planning Board designating the Library site as the future town government and community center. A Town Hall was a key component. As a retired Architect and individual, I developed a program of spatial needs and a matrix comparing the pros and cons of a new building vs. renovating and adding to the existing building. A new building prevailed as the best choice and a computer model was developed that accommodated the existing town functions and seat 85 people in the Town Chamber. The computer model is a two level structure of approximately 8,500 SF total with 7,000 SF on the upper level and 1,500 SF on the lower level. The interior of the lower level would be left unfinished for future expansion as deemed necessary. Alternatively, the Jehovah Witness building is an unknown quantity as to its possibility and needs for renovation and additions and the estimated construction costs.

The estimated construction cost is approximately 5 million dollars at this time and is prohibitive. However, with the appropriate property tax income from the RI Grows, LLC Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) project a new Town Hall becomes fiscally possible. According to the CEA zone amendment a Tier III CEA Greenhouse commercial structure of one million square feet would pay a one-time payment in-lieu of taxes (PILOT) of $250,000 as opposed to a $1,260,000 annual property tax based on an assessed property value of $90,000,000. This new tax income should easily make it possible to afford a 10 year construction bond and also reduce the property tax burden on residential properties.

Exeter is currently at a Crossroad and now has a small window of opportunity to expand the tax base, build a Town Hall on the Library site, provide property tax relief for residential properties, and survive as an economically viable rural community. This venture will take leadership with vision and a Town Council motivated to take charge and initiate timely action. It is my sincere belief that this Town Council can and will provide that leadership.