New Dartmouth Sub-Committees To Create Fresh Ideas

Dartmouth officals are hoping two new sub-committees can help the town stay out of financial trouble down the road. Although Dartmouth has enjoyed a comfortable financial situation in recent years, officials worry that might not last.

The Select Board met with the Finance Committee and Planning Board on Monday night to discuss recent projects and future developments in town. According to projections, the town's new growth revenue is expected to drop from over $1 million in 2016 to 500-thousand in 2017 and 292-thousand in 2018.

Why the fall-off?

Big projects like solar fields, Hawthorn Medical's new facility, and Lincoln Park's development have fueled Dartmouth's new revenue. However, that boost won't last forever.

"We don't see anything on the horizon in terms of commercial and industrial development," said Town Administrator, David Cressman.

That doesn't mean something can't come up, but town officials don't want to wait until the next big thing falls into their lap.

During the joint meeting, officials created two sub-committees to look into future development in the town and generate new ideas.

One committee will focus on reusing empty retail spaces. One example officials brought up was the old Circuit City building, which currently only gets used as a halloween store for a few months out of the year.

In theory, the sub-committee would look into out-of-the-box uses for the unused spaces, whether it be a kind of housing development or simply a new retail store.

The second sub-committee will work with UMass Dartmouth to come up with new projects and fill potential needs such as increased student housing. Select Board Chariman, Shawn McDonald says the partnership could even lead to UMass business students helping the town.

"To be honest with you, it's underutilized by the town, and I think there's a lot of potential there," McDonald tells WBSM News.

The two new volunteer committees will be made up of different members from the Select Board, Finance Committee, and Planning Board, however the town is looking for the public's input as well.

Officials are asking any residents interested in joining either committee to send a letter of intent to the Select Board.