An Order Creating a West Swanzey TIF Committee

  1. Purpose and Intent

    • The purpose of this order is to establish a West Swanzey TIF Committee (the Committee) to advise the Board of Selectmen (the Board) on the potential creation of a tax increment financing district in the West Swanzey area around the Rt. 10 Corridor as outlined in this charge and other matters upon request of the Board.

  2. Term

    • This Committee is authorized for a term to expire December 31, 2024, to be extended for additional terms at the discretion of the Board of Selectmen.

  3. Authority

    • This order is adopted pursuant to the authority of the Board of Selectmen to adopt policies and issue directives to make and order its prudential affairs.

  4. Composition & Term

    • Members, Appointment
      • The Committee is to be composed of seven members:
      • A representative of the Economic Development Advisory Committee – Cathy Bergstrom
      • A representative of the Planning Board – Scott Self
      • A representative of the Board of Selectmen – James Tempesta
      •  A representative of the Capital Improvement Plan Committee – Steven Bittel
      • A representative of an area property owner – Keith Thibault (Southwestern Community Services)
      • An area resident / property owner – George Nikiforakis
      •  Swanzey resident – Jonathan Hoden
    • Term of Office
      • The initial term of office shall run for the initial term of the Committee or as extended by the Board of Selectmen.
    • Officers
      • The Committee shall have a Chair and a Clerk. The Chair shall prepare an agenda, preside at meetings and act as spokesman for the Committee when so authorized. The Clerk shall give notice of all meetings, record all proceedings, act as the keeper of the records, and act as Chair in the absence of the Chair.

  5. Powers and Duties

    • The West Swanzey TIF Committee is charged with researching, advising, and/or making recommendations to the Board of Selectmen regarding the possible creation of a tax increment finance district in West Swanzey (all final decision making authority shall be retained by the Board of Selectmen). The Committee should consider the following matters:
      • Should a TIF District be created to help fund public investments in the area of West Swanzey?
    • If the Committee recommends creating a district:
      •  What should the TIF District’s boundaries be? The boundaries should consider both the location
      • of public projects and properties expected have their assessed value increased.
    • What public projects should be incorporated into the district and in what priority order?
      • West Swanzey Water Company purchase, improvements, and possible expansion
      • Sewer treatment improvements and possible collection system expansion
      • Cutler School acquisition and/or improvement
      • Brown Field improvements
      • Road & sidewalk improvements
    • Should bonding authority be approved with the creation of the district or should funding wait until development has occurred?
    • Because this matter may require legislative action at the 2025 Town Meeting, the Committee should provide its final report to the Board of Selectmen no later than December 1, 2024.

  6. Effective Date

  • This Order is effective upon adoption and supersedes all previous orders or policies relative to or in conflict with this matter and the procedures described herein.
  • Approved on October 2, 2024 by the Town of Swanzey Board of Selectmen