Rindge rejects growth pause
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Freeman Klopott
Keene Sentinel Staff
RINDGE — Voters in Rindge chose not to join neighboring towns that have in recent years passed laws to slow development.
In a vote Tuesday, Rindge voters turned down, 632-459, a proposal that would have stopped major construction projects until the town’s master plan is finalized and voted on in March.
The ordinance would have placed a hold on constructing buildings of more than 10,000 square feet and subdivisions with more than three lots.
Introduced in July as a measure to slow growth so the planning board could finalize the master plan, the proposal traveled a bumpy road to the ballot box.
In August, the planning board tried to remove the controversial ordinance from the warrant, but in accordance with state law, the Rindge Board of Selectmen declared that decision null and void.
The planning board and those who favored the proposal felt it would provide the board with a break from its day-to-day schedule so it could focus on the master plan.
But some business and land owners opposed to the ordinance, saying it would damage the town’s economic development.
Planning board Chairman Kim McCummings did not find the vote Tuesday surprising because the ordinance lacked support during an earlier hearing, she said.
McCummings said the result is a mix of some voters not fully understanding the impact and intent of the ordinance, and others outright opposing it.
But she said for the planning board it will be business as usual, although “it may well be a little more challenging in terms of time.”
Jason Czekalski, who opposed the ordinance from its inception, said the vote turned out as he expected.
“People saw it for what it was — another one of Rindge’s illustrious solutions in search of a problem.”
Rindge voters also resoundingly chose not to reduce the tax that covers the cost of running the trash transfer station by requiring residents who use the station to buy special garbage bags. The “pay-as-you-throw” program was turned down by a vote of 847-240.