Outlet mall work gets started

[hdw]

Finally, we are getting started on the long awaited and certainly needed mall. It can add to the already empty spaces available for lease in town. It is even creating jobs for Massachusetts companies. I for one am very proud of our town government. Especially the Town Manager, the Town Council and the Planning Board. You guys are mmmmm, it’s hard to find the proper words to describe this team. Time for Sponge Bob.

[RBarnes]

It is even creating jobs for Massachusetts companies.

Ok I'll bite... How exactly will this mall project create jobs for Mass companies?

[hdw]

Dimeo Construction, of Massachusetts, has been hired as the general contractor on the project. Dimeo, which worked on the construction of the 170-store Wrentham Village Premium Outlets project and many other retail, academic and corporate projects across New England, is now bidding out portions of the project, Rothstein said. She expects the project to employ some 500 construction workers.

[RBarnes]

hdw, being it's the construction company your are referring to, I'm a bit confused on why you bring this up as a talking point. The mall is a private venture by a NJ company so the town really would have no say on who constructs it anyway. It would be like you choosing a MA company to build your house, what business is it to anyone else who you contract with? And as I pointed out since the company building this mall is out of NJ why would they even care if it's a NH construction company or MA company? It's not as if they have any connection or loyalty to NH other then our being the site for their new mall to join the chain of malls they have all across the country.

They aren't here to help us or help Merrimack in any way. They are here to make money. If it creates traffic headaches, increases crime or anything else they don't care as long as they profit from the venture.

[tim dutton]

hdw - I thought you were leaving town? Can't wait for the mall to come in. I am going to love seeing the traffic backup and all that congestion in the southern part of Merrimack. Will the mall actually pay 1 million plus in taxes? That tax amount keeps changing.

[Michael Thompson]

Finally, we are getting started on the long awaited and certainly needed mall. It can add to the already empty spaces available for lease in town. It is even creating jobs for Massachusetts companies. I for one am very proud of our town government. Especially the Town Manager, the Town Council and the Planning Board. You guys are mmmmm, it’s hard to find the proper words to describe this team. Time for Sponge Bob.

I take it you are poking fun at the TM, TC and PB. I just want to point out that it was the town residents that voted for this, the TM, TC and PB had to abide by the laws and regulations once the zoning changed was passed.

[Brian McCarthy]

Sure - blame me

Finally, we are getting started on the long awaited and certainly needed mall. It can add to the already empty spaces available for lease in town. It is even creating jobs for Massachusetts companies. I for one am very proud of our town government. Especially the Town Manager, the Town Council and the Planning Board. You guys are mmmmm, it’s hard to find the proper words to describe this team. Time for Sponge Bob.

I take it you are poking fun at the TM, TC and PB. I just want to point out that it was the town residents that voted for this, the TM, TC and PB had to abide by the laws and regulations once the zoning changed was passed.

[spnorm]

Of course the TM, TC, etc. are to blame for something. Didn't you hear that somebody, on some board has some relative who' might benefit in some way from something that somebody did or didn't do?!? Can't say more than that, but you know what I mean, right? The fact that the voters had their say is irrelavent!

[sabrina]

Sure - blame me

Finally, we are getting started on the long awaited and certainly needed mall. It can add to the already empty spaces available for lease in town. It is even creating jobs for Massachusetts companies. I for one am very proud of our town government. Especially the Town Manager, the Town Council and the Planning Board. You guys are mmmmm, it’s hard to find the proper words to describe this team. Time for Sponge Bob.

I take it you are poking fun at the TM, TC and PB. I just want to point out that it was the town residents that voted for this, the TM, TC and PB had to abide by the laws and regulations once the zoning changed was passed.

The town residents voted NO and the town council overrulled it!

[Jamie MacFarland]

Finally, we are getting started on the long awaited and certainly needed mall. It can add to the already empty spaces available for lease in town. It is even creating jobs for Massachusetts companies. I for one am very proud of our town government. Especially the Town Manager, the Town Council and the Planning Board. You guys are mmmmm, it’s hard to find the proper words to describe this team. Time for Sponge Bob.

I take it you are poking fun at the TM, TC and PB. I just want to point out that it was the town residents that voted for this, the TM, TC and PB had to abide by the laws and regulations once the zoning changed was passed.

Mike, This is not exactly true. It was PB that voted in favor of moving the zoning change to town wide election. They voted against moving the zoning change to town meeting in at least two prior occasions. Its a waste of time to argue whether it was the right thing to do, or not. I am just pointing this out.

[sabrina]

Finally, we are getting started on the long awaited and certainly needed mall. It can add to the already empty spaces available for lease in town. It is even creating jobs for Massachusetts companies. I for one am very proud of our town government. Especially the Town Manager, the Town Council and the Planning Board. You guys are mmmmm, it’s hard to find the proper words to describe this team. Time for Sponge Bob.

I take it you are poking fun at the TM, TC and PB. I just want to point out that it was the town residents that voted for this, the TM, TC and PB had to abide by the laws and regulations once the zoning changed was passed.

Mike, This is not exactly true. It was PB that voted in favor of moving the zoning change to town wide election. They voted against moving the zoning change to town meeting in at least two prior occasions. Its a wast of time to argue whether it was the right thing to do, or not. I am just pointing this out.

Yes, again, let me reiterate, the people of Merrimack voted no.

[Debra Huffman]

Yes, again, let me reiterate, the people of Merrimack voted no.

Can you refresh our memories about this vote? I recall the vote where the people voted in favor of changing the zoning (foolishly, in my opinion) but I must be forgetting the vote you are referring to.

[andysinnh]

Yes, again, let me reiterate, the people of Merrimack voted no.

Can you refresh our memories about this vote? I recall the vote where the people voted in favor of changing the zoning (foolishly, in my opinion) but I must be forgetting the vote you are referring to.

I was sort of thinking the same thing. The vote I remember the town taking ended up paving the way for making the mall happen. If there's another vote that was in the opposite direction, then I'm not remembering it.....

[spnorm]

As I recall it, there was a vote on the zoning change, which would clear the way for the mall develpment, which passed by a simple majority. A group of abutters filed a petition claiming a super-majority was required, and the town agreed. It went to court over some shenanigans about counting common lands multiple times, for each landowner, and the court rejected the petition siding with Chelsea. Therefore, the simple majority vote stood. So, like it or not, Merrimack residents voted yes.

[Tom Mahon]

The change is zoning was presented to the voters through the normal process. The abutters filed a Protest Petition which requires the support of 20% of the abutting property owners to trigger a super majority of 60%. The law has the usual vague language in it and did not contemplate common lands in current zoning schemes. The abutters used the common land to reach the 20%. The amendment passed with something like 54% of the vote in favor. Chelsea/Monohan appealed to the courts and the money race was on. The courts agreed that the common land could not be used. Keep in mind, that even the abutters were sharply divided on the issue. Had their thinking been more congruent, they would not have needed to use the common land issue to try to get to the 20%. It is my understanding that the abutters had the opportunity to supplement the petition, but based on conversations with the then Town Attorney, did not pursue the supplemental signatures.

Ergo, the voters approved the zoning change by a simple majority which is all the law requires. By the way, if memory serves, the last large voter turn out at the municipal election.