NORTH SMITHFIELD – Scott Gibbs has announced the first element of his campaign platform, pointing to the need for strategic development.
“The ability to effectively manage a town means meeting the existing needs and concerns of residents as well as making important future investments in infrastructure, public facilities and educational resources,” Gibbs said. “That must include controlling costs and demanding efficiencies, but it also includes growing tax revenues. Without new business tax resources, residential property tax rates will spiral upward.”
“North Smithfield’s existing comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance define where and how properties in town are to be developed or redeveloped. Our challenge is to design strategies to facilitate development and to optimize the type and quality of development that maximizes property tax revenues and reinforces North Smithfield’s character and quality of life.”
“The town of North Smithfield needs to build on its comprehensive plan to be more detailed as it relates to the specific steps and investments it needs to make to enhance the development potential of its existing areas zoned for good business,” Gibbs said.
Gibbs noted that the Route 146 corridor, Industrial Drive, and the Slatersville and Branch Village commercial nodes are areas that require focus.
“Possible modifications to regulatory standards and processes should be discussed along with possible public investments to spark private investment and development,” he said. “Quality business development can add to North Smithfield’s fiscal strength and enable the town to make important investments that preserve and enhance the town’s rural values and quality of life.”
“I believe my extensive education and career experience provide a unique opportunity for me to guide North Smithfield forward,” said Gibbs. “As the next town administrator, I will work to affect a sound future financial platform to match our comprehensive plan, using the expertise that I have developed over 40 years to understand the nuances of public and private activity that can make great things happen. Through collaborative and transparent leadership, I can provide the necessary analysis and strategic thinking to guide the Town Council and our boards and commissions to create the best possible community.”
I would like to clarify some points. First, My organization is not a housing entity. The facts are that changes in the State’s land use enabling legislation were initiated by the Rhode Island Speaker of the House m – the most powerful person in RI – and managed by the RI Land Use Commission. I never was involved. Second, my organization does not work in North Smithfield due to the fact I live here. It’s a policy. Third, I did not at anytime express support for the Power Plant project. Fifth, I have argued since the beginning that the 146 corridor needs both sewer and water to be feasible. It’s important that we all speak the truth. We can do better than this.
Well said to squash rumors
Thank you for clarifying your stance on infrastructure for the 146 corridor. Have you done a break even analysis of the cost to install the new infrastructure and the ultimate tax benefit, assuming we can entice commercial entities to take up the space.?
Richard, the Town has engaged a consultant to conduct a feasibility analysis. My expectation is that there will be a gap between costs and what can be funded with a TIF bond. If there is a gap, other funding will need to be identified.
Thanks again for your reply. I’ll send you a private message.
I tried to send you a private message. I went to the meeting of the economic development committee last night. I wanted to verify before I said that the study our town has commissioned is for feasibility of water connection only. This is counter to your statement that it would require both water and sewer to properly develop the 146 corridor. I agree with you completely, so this study will not give us the answer we need. I cannot imagine what the infrastructure would cost at this point in time. I cannot imagine how that cost could ever be made up even with grant assistance unless the government pays the whole thing. At the very least we would need to commission another study on the feasibility of sewers. Our town seems to have a penchant for spending money on studies.
what is a TIF bond?
Scott, unfortunately the taxpayers of NS and the town cannot afford to execute a bond to install both water and sewers on 146. We can not just pray for new development based on if we build it they will come. Second where will the water and sewer come from. I do know if the Woonsocket system can handle the increased demand. This is the right idea but the town cannot afford the costs. Federal money is also not the answer. The town can barely maintain the current infrastructure let alone add new infrastructure. The town needs a detailed 5 to 10 year plan of all capital spending with priorities and the 146 idea is at the bottom of the list.
The best predictor of future behavior and actions is past behavior and actions. Some may sell sunshine and rainbows, but forgive my logical suspicions . The next thing you know proposals for housing for the most needy in the community on former plastic manufacturing sites. Wonder what the risk of CFCs in soil and water tables would be there?
I hope for the best, and pray I’m wrong, God knows North Smithfield citizens have been through enough.
Thank you for presenting your position on town growth. I have specific questions about the 146 corridor. It seems the government is spending more than 100 million dollars to allow drivers to pass through the area more efficiently. It does not seem like the intersection at sayles Hill road would be able to handle an increased business traffic flow. On top of that there is currently no water nor sewer.
Do you think it’s possible to develop a large taxable base along that corridor without both water and sewer.
If you do not, do you see any way the increased tax base will offset the cost of installing the infrastructure without government assistance? If not when would you expect our town to break even?
So if you have all this experience and connections, why isn’t it here yet?
Also, Weren’t you pro INDECK power plant years ago…..
Excuse me Emily, but at this time, Scott is not the TA. I have had the opportunity to review the comprehensive plan that was developed in 2019 and had spent much time reviewing it with Tom Kravitz…there is much to be accomplished with the next Town Administrator and Scott is a reliable, accomplished, planner with significant development experience. Beth Newberry is a delight, but her lack of experience in the public sector means that government will be a learning curve on day one. We need a person that can control and grow infrastructure in a cohesive planned manner, rather than our current rogue group that throws spaghetti at the wall, hoping something will stick. Scott is experienced on day one, something this town desperately needs.
Excuse me Mary….I absolutely know that. However he has been the president of the Rhode Island economic development corporation, has extensive ties to State leadership as well as local leadership. Again, why haven’t we seen any development spearheaded by him to the town that he lives in. Why now? A question if he is an “opportunist” relative to what’s happening at the state level and the amount of development and specific housing that they want to push out to rural communities. I never said he wasn’t qualified at all. With all his qualifications and experience over decades, I don’t ever remember him running for any office in town. So forgive me of questioning why now?
I noticed you avoided the INDECK question…
Everyone was on the power plant build back in the day….look at what happened in Blackstone. I wouldn’t call anyone an opportunist for deciding to run for TA, I just question Beth’s credentials as opposed to Scott’s….if growth is to occur and we decide to review and build out components of our comprehensive plan, Scott is the clear choice…I would also remind individuals that monies for these types of capital projects come, in large part by working with our congressional delegations in DC, of which I am sure, Scott has experience with.
No Mary, you must be having a senior moment. Everyone was not “in on the build” of the power plant back in the day as you say. The vocal majority of residence were AGAINST it, and pressured elected leadership to vote this down which they did. Why do you think it’s not here? That power plant would have ruined the environment And change the character of the shoreline of the Slatersville Reservoir in town forever….. but as many know and recall, Scott was pro development then and quietly in favor of this project. For those people concerned about clean water, imagine if that had passed….
Well, we are thankful that did not happen and people had the fortitude to vote that down. You know Scott well enough to know he was “silently,” in favor of it, interesting.
Yes thankfully Mary… And almost as interesting as you thinking everyone was in support of the power plant and that you were unaware about the candidate you endorse…..how long have you lived here?
I never would have thought people would have wanted a power plant in town…I mentioned Blackstone, because I remembered the discussions of it being built…everyone was against it but the board of selectmen voted for it…we may not also have had Indeck, but we have had clear cutting of hundreds of acres for solar development and the impact of PFAS ….these are the direct result of many of our current and former Administrators and TC Members….maybe no one is acting in our best interest, but you stated Scott was quietly in favor…do tell…. By the way, lived here for >35 years.
I’ve lived in NS for 23 years and some still consider me an outsider. Small town thinking at its best.
To those speculating, I think Mr. Gibbs has made it readily apparent that he’s willing to discuss and entertain questions. So ask them and maybe not just accuse and make up false Trojan Horse fears?
Art, who specifically considers you an outsider?
If I were to ask Ms. Kamala if we had a problem at the border, what answer would I get….
Emily, one small point. Scott is president of the economic development foundation not to be confused with the economic development corporation. Scott’s organization describes itself as a non-profit. I’m sure he has worked with Rhode island’s economic development corporation but he is not part of it. His office is actually listed as in the industrial park in Cumberland / Woonsocket at the terminal end of route 99.
Emily I need to correct one fact. The Rhode Island economic corporation changed its name in 2014 to the Rhode Island commerce corporation. There is no longer a Rhode Island economic corporation.
Richard and Scott, I’m sorry I had the wrong name of the organization.
I had posted a link to an article from the Valley Breeze from August 2001 when the news broke that the Indeck power plant was shot down. For some reason it was not shown. Here is the excerpt.
“NORTH SMITHFIELD – With the Indeck-North Smithfield LLC power plant application denied – at least for now – elated town officials Tuesday said they are looking ahead to securing what they called “light industry” on the Tuspani Water Co. acreage on the reservoir.
Town Administrator Dan Andrews said the property, 23 acres that’s part of an 88-acre parcel, was identified among a handful of locations that might be commercially developed in this town where 90 percent of property taxes come from single-family homeowners.
He suggested, “We’ll sit down and talk. The owner has a right to do something else with it. Andrews said Scott Gibbs, the director of the Highland Industrial Park on the Woonsocket-Cumberland line, has been reviewing the property along with several other parcels for industrial development in town…..”
qui tacet consentire videtur
Emily, thank you for clarifying. It is an interesting article. Although I lived in town during that period, I had no idea that was going on at the time. Hate to admit it, but I never heard that town administrators name until just now. This brings up another interesting thought to me. There are so many in town that are not familiar with local politics. We really should make sure all are educated otherwise we have no one to blame for the issues but ourselves.
Yikes!! Power plant development!? In my heart of hearts, one can only hope this candidate is not a Trojan horse conduit for big state development ie governor’s office taking advantage of a rural community. How’s that working out with East Providence and the bridge?! Fingers crossed.
I don’t believe power plant development is included in the comprehensive plan John…and I don’t see the governor’s office taking advantage of our community, but in that regard, an accomplished individual is what this town needs.
Emily, if you would like to meet and discuss theses issues, I would be more than happy to.