A continuation from the first and second parts of a continuing narrative on this subject. You may read part one of this article by clicking here.
Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council Comment
- These comments were placed on the record for the Smithfield Planning Board Public Hearing on November 15, 2021.
- THe Stillwater Reservoir system is already impaired in many, serious changes have taken place in recent months that the WRWC has tested, monitored and recorded.
- Their comment continued by stating that "the best way to contain and avoid further contaminations is with 100% runoff holding and filtration at the base, without adding major expense."
- They continued to state that "Four sediment traps shown in the plans are labelled temporary although the recommendation is that they be rebuilt and maintained."
- The full letter can be viewed by *** clicking here.
Retirees Downsizing
- The developer have contended for years that the prospective buyers woudl be retireees with no kids.
- The developer and Town has butreesed their premise that this community will attact retirees and baby boomers without kids to downsize.
- Their premise was based on the 2010.
- OK, so we are in 2021 and still relying on the 2010 census?
- Based on an April 2021 CNBC article, the reality of the developer and Town premise is false.
- The article states that ... "For years, the average American retiree has charted a predictable course through retirement, choosing smaller, more manageable homes, condos or retirement communities built for people aged 55-plus. Why pay for taxes and upkeep on a home that no longer fits you? Things have changed in the last few years, however, and a new trend has emerged. Rather than downsizing or right-sizing, retirees are starting to upsize. They are moving to bigger homes in their golden years.According to a recent Merrill Lynch and Age Wave retirement study of more than 3,600 respondents, 49% of retirees didn’t downsize in their last move, and 30% actually ended up moving into larger homes."
Road Safety
- From the minutes of the Conservation Commission on 11/3/21, Don Brown states that "he spoke to the Fire Chief about the concerns the Conservation Commission had concernign the road into the development beign a dead end and the Fire Chief told Mr. Brown he would to the town planner."
- Has this conversation occured?
- Has there been a resolution?
- This situation is important ... what has been done?
Owner-Occupied Occupancy
- At the hearing, there was a question asked about non-owner occupanied units. As written in a previous blog, this may affect public safety, the community in general and quality of life in the neighborhood.
- If the Planning Board did not stipuplate any guidelines associated with ownership of the units, then this issue cannot be enforced.
- This issue then will complicate the safety and quality of life issues of the development and surrounding areas.
- What happens if the genie is already out of the bottle?
- Do you want your Town and community to be "taken over" by out of town residents who have no long- or short-term stake in the community and its lifestyle?
- What is the effect of this situation on the Town's school system for enrollment?
- Sounds like our public safety departments could have their incidents increase.
