sell them for the best money'but SELL them

Putting these building back on the tax role is the objective. The Buildings are in very bad shape and are loaded with asbestos and probable lead paint. Sitting for years the septic systems are most likely solidified and not able to be used again . The only real value is the land. The cost to remove the hazards will be plenty. Ranger seems to be the worst of the two ,and will most likely be torn down. Both are next to drinking water supplies and will need expensive septic systems .
Sell them for what ever we can get. Putting them back on the tax role is the best for the town.

The land value is higher than the bids!!!

Doc,The cost of taking down the building takes away from the value. In this economy we are lucky to get a bid.

You don't simply accept bids to offset expense-especially when bids are this low-and use off the buildings in not fully explained. I think taxpayers have a right to know ALL the details and more information about the people who put in the bids and what they expect to do with the buildings-especially if use of the buildings will impact our community.

I think the taxpayers have a right to know if any of the bidders are TCC donors.

I find in interesting that a public official would go out of is way to comment that the sudden disclosure "to move the discussion into the public forum was not prompted by the criticism by residents". If true (which I doubt), the TCC/TC continues to turn a deaf ear to transparency.

these building should be sold and the property placed back on the tax roles, how would the who bid on the places be connected to the TCC or the TDTC in anyway?

Ms Christ, would you have us go back to deciding what bussinesses we would allow in this town?Shall the property just remain empty and sucking money from the town? Who cares what the buyer wants to build, they will be required to cross all the t's and dot the i"s,It is not the duty of the town council to research bidders on property to be sold, You and Bd seem to be implying that this process wasn't fair in some way, rather than infer things, why not just say straight out just what it is , let us all in on facts you seem to know

Nonquit should not be sold to a non profit that wouldn't pay tax,s we need to Expand the tax rolls, the town will need the money to pay for school busses paying the new tolls over the bridge

If the folks upstate have their way there will be in places in RI that have tolls, BOTH of them on Aquidneck island, totaly unfair to Newport county residents and in a effort to suck more money out of the Newport tourists they may be killing the goose that sends so much money upstate

Joe and Jim L: Really? If either of you could get an original thought in your head I just. might. take. you, both. seriously. Jim L: The second you allowed someone to manipulate you into signing a letter you did not write-and PUBLISH it- your credibility was lost- Joe- you seriously need to make a decision on what your stance is on/with this town and stop with the cutting and pasting of other information you claim is yours. Thank the good lord I do not rule this town- trust me if I did there would have already been major changes made-especially with those who think they do. Yes, the sell of the buildings was voted on-but this does not mean any willy nilly low ball offer can be accepted( especially on a building that has certain bylaws and sacred burial rights....) AND we, as taxpayers should have a clear understanding on what and whom are buying, what the buildings are to become-where the money is going and how this will benefit our town. Pretty simple and reasonable.

If you go to the Meeting you will hear the details. The Schools are crumbling piles of crap. That's why we had to build new ones instead of rebuilding the old ones. I pay attention ,too bad you didn't .

Ms Crist, I hear there is a new resturant coming to town, why weren't the taxpayers told this, where is it going? what will it serve? is the food a good mix for the town? Have they spoken to the town council?Shall we impose your idea's on everyone who wish's to buy property in this town, Run for office if your that upset. but delaying a chance to get more tax income in this town is not what is needed

Totally different Jim L......get Dave Nelson to explain it to you- or Joe for that matter. You exhaust me. I have a right to ask questions- just like we all did when the town council decided to accept a business deal from Gerry Felise-which never went through-( we were lucky) because some of asked QUESTIONS....I am all for business in this town and for total transparancy....but not at the sake of our community losing out-or not being told the whole truth-MOST ESPECIALLY if we are being told we are to GAIN from this.......

So with every company looking to buy land in the industrail park be held to yhis standard?How do you we were lucky? How can you not gain from selling 2 property's that have sat empty for years just eating taxpayer money Show me the lies you imply, explain how I or others are being duped Just as the budget commitee won the FTR, the town voted to instruct the town to sell these tWo places! Do you think there were bids recieved but not opened? WHY/ HOW?I wish you would explain it to me since you brought the whole thing up so again i await your answwerDo we just hold onto empty tax sucking buildings because the economy sucks and the building are not worth alot of money unless knocked down which costs even more money, I have a right to ask questions to, i have a right to ask you to explain when you IMPLY someyhing

Agree with others. Wow, why not hold on to them until the economy rebounds? I don't ask as a criticism but rather just a question - the land does have value.

The land has value but the cost of taking down the building takes away from it. As the economy rebounds labor cost will increase. So the land price increase is off set by higher cost of demo. Mean while we get Zero in property taxes. Do the math.
According to RemodelGuide.com, the removal of asbestos (or asbestos abatement) calls for proper preparation of a "containment area" as well as careful removal of the materials. They put the cost of the average contractor at $200 to $400 per hour, ;

It appears Mr. Nelson is following a practice which he allows other people to speak for him. First, Mr. Nelson had Jim L submit a letter to the Patch that was written by him((several people in Town have seen the letter and Jim L has admitted to submitting the letter.) Now we have Mr. Nelson referencing a newspaper story in some convoluted attempt to make some type point. So much for transparency and honesty.

Although commercial real estate sale is not my profession, residential foreclosures are. I am aware that they are completely different entities but the bottom line is the same whether you are a bank, town, private seller or buyer. As we all know Rhode Island is the unfriendliest state to start or expand a business, never mind that we are a boarder town with strict zoning laws. An investor has to consider cost to cure all the known and unknown issues. I can assume the cost is in the range of $100,000 per building to demolish alone. If in fact there is mold, asbestos or any other environmental hazard you can’t just tear it down, the waste needs to be disposed of properly and that comes with a hefty fee. Plus, transportation cost for the waste, expense of employees and insurance certified to handle potential material’s considered biohazard and removal of non-toxic materials. The 2012 assessed value for the old Ranger is 752,200 (the land value is only 72,500). I think the current bid is moderately generous. The cost to carry this asset is extensive because of the high-assessed value and current/future tax rate. If we hold Ranger then not only will the structure continue to deteriorate but all of it’s neighboring properties will too. If the town sells the property today, taxes will have to be paid next quarter. If we have 3 to 4 years at minimum, as estimated, of foreclosure properties in the pipeline it should just be common economics and not over thought.

If the building is kept, then it needs to make money for the town equal to the potential tax revenue plus at least the interest on the loan needed to tear down and rebuild. I have a few ideas but have no idea if they are even possible. Either way I think our town’s people should be able to vote on an issue like this. Is it not our taxpayer money either way?

The Taxpayers did vote on it two years in a row. They said sell them to the highest bidder, and put them back on the tax rolls.

while everyone is complaining about this and that and the other thing, many families on the East Bay are unable to purchase little things like school supplies for their children. Check out this charitable drive here on the East Bay for local children:

http://www.facebook.com/StuffTheBusRi

With all due transparency Mr. Nelson: The counci( you)l were trying to push the Felise deal through- it was only when members of our community-honest taxpaying members of our community stepped forward -as well as other council members-and presented evidence against Mr. Felise=and ASKED LEGIT QUESTIONS about the MANY business deals he ruined for other communities-did the council( you and those who were trying to push this deal through) back down. And now you are getting back into business with him? Shady business with questionable business partners is NOT what Tiverton needs.....Transparent indeed.

One question that I have is why has it taken so long to try and sell these two buildings? Maybe if the Town had made a concerted effort to maintain the buildings they would have been in better physical condition which in turn would have increased their value?

Nonquit has been vacant for over 9 years, all the town did was keep the pipes from freezing, the town voted to sell these building TWICE, twice because some folks in town seemed to have some sort use use for them, If anyone followed this on Patch and thru the commitee posting they would know this, The first vote to sell was in 2010 and it was voted on again in 2011, with anything in the world just left sitting they fall apart, the Town council should do as the MAJORITY of voters said and SELL now to the highest bidder, no more stalls or studies, put the property back on the tax roles With the smallest tax increase in years and the budget cap going lower this town need all the money it can get, Never mind the fact that between Nonquit and the old ranger the just barebones upkeep has probaly cost the town over$100,00.00 the last 10 years

@Ryan

Good solid reasoning and points. Thank you for sharing.

And for what it is worth, people did not vote to sell to highest bidder. They voted to sell at fair market value with any conditions set by the council.

right he in town jat show me that nonquit was used? and what is your point? in 2010 and 2011 the town voted to sell them, sure the land is wortth money, but only vacant So Twice the voters have said SELL and some folks still protest, Do you not wish more tax money coming into this town, it will at least help off set the raise in property taxes we will get from school buses crossing the bridge

Ryan there was a year long study done on these building after the first vote to sell them, even after that the VOTERS said sell them, now who is the we you speak of if you mean voters, they gave the council the ok to sell, period! If you look at the commitee minutes on these building you can see all this, the ONLY way to improve the price or worth of these building is to knock them down and start with clear lots, shall we as a town hire someone to do this NO, and it's already been covered, SELL the Schools, the money go's to the town since they were returned to the town by the school dept,Why,well would you like the school dept paying for empty rotting buildings?Put them back on the tax rolls, got a use for 1 of them, go to the public meeting and be high bidder

We elected a town council to over see the issues in town. The council has the authority to sell the schools. The appraised value put on these buildings was not even close to the real value. I don't think it was a professional appraisal. The buildings are a deterrent to the value because of the hazardous materials contained with in. Keeping them another five years while the market recovers will not gain value our more money for the town. Selling them to a developer who will build new will increase the value and the taxes paid for them. All it would take is one kid getting hurt in one of these properties and we have a major law suit on our hands. These building are a liability that we don't need.

2 very good answers to the questions asked joe, SELL THE SCHOOLS

JimL please read my original post. Joe, thank you for saying exactly what my original post said.

Jim, I think the council is ready to move on the sale. I guess we will see Monday.

guess you never know will you?

Mr Nelson you stated ""Shady business with questionable business partners is NOT what Tiverton needs." is a very serious accusation.
Please provide the readers of Patch and citizens of our community specific material facts that support your statement, both in relation to Mr Felise and the members of the Town Council that supported this preliminary letter of support."

I find it interesting that you want Ms. Crist to provide you with facts to support her claim yet when you and Mr. Coulter accused public officials of wrongdoing neither you or Mr. Coulter provided any facts to support your claims. This is another example of TCC hypocrisy.

Well TAXPAYER you might not even live in this town! Isee no reason for anyone without a real name and a hidden agenda to be answered by anyone, where as Ms Crist is a real person and as such may be held to her remarks, sorry that the way the world works, you would think you would want to know if Ms Crist can prove her story since you cry about transparecy, I and I am sure others await her answer to this, elections are coming and the truth should be told, not just vague blogs

Just Another liar ,provide us with a real name so people can take you seriously .Given a choice between believing you and Dave . People voted for Dave Nelson and he hasn't lied to them like you do continuously . Fake name, pack of lies !

So on two topics being discussed here, in my opinion:

1. Sale of schools - very good arguments put forth for sale.
2. Felise proposal - irresponsible move by Council.

I don't know about "shady" or even what Ms. Crist meant by that word, but the fact is that Mr. Felise made a donation to the TCC (which was duly disclosed by the TCC) and that Mr. Nelson is president of the TCC and a member of the town council. At the very least, this is an apparent conflict of interest and raises the question of whether Mr. Nelson and the other TCC members on the council should have recused themselves from this issue. There is an appearance of impropriety, whether it is true or not, that could easily have been avoided by recusal, or refusal of Mr. Felice's donation by the TCC. As an elected official, there should have been a good faith effort to avoid all possible conflicts, and to expect questions when there is an appearance of impropriety.

Mr Nelson, In an effort to lead by example please recuse yourself when voting on projects that are of interest to those individuals that contribute to the TCC. You are a founder, member, and leader of the TCC and the TCC has taken thousands in donations from certain developers.

Well Tom since you also have no name, why should anyone answer you also? when you go to any public forum, town council ETC the old FTM you were required to state your name and address, since you have neitherthat makes anything you say just a moot point. you might not even be a Tiverton Voter, And head of the TCC, the PTA. the NRA what ever Mr Nelson deserves to have the question he asked of Ms Crist answered. I don't think it's gonna happen, i guess the subject will be changed till certain folks hope it's forgotten

It goes without saying that Mr. Nelson should recuse himself. We should not forget that there are three other members of Town Council who belong to the TCC.

Fake JimL, how do you know he or she is not an elected official already? Why do you need to hide behind JimL's screen name? I thought the TCC is all about transparency?

Real JimL, I believe you have lost whatever shreds of dignity and credibility you had left by allowing these people to use your ID. After being used by them to publish their letters and then blaming your son for your posting under a fake name, I think you have bottomed out. Please get some help.

Jim L. I never stated that it was illegal for Mr. Nelson and his fellow Council members who are also TCC members to listen to the Mr. Felise's presentation. However, I do not believe its ethical for elected officials at any level of government to entertain business proposals that directly benefit one of their donors. Apparently you do not have a problem with this type of behavior from our elected officials.

Sorry but someone give a political party $250.00 dollars a year for four years dosen't make me beleive they have been bought and sold, but since Ms Crist seems to thing so perhappes she could explain what she meant

how do i not know your an nea rep just clinging to your unoin job there faceless

Fake names fake arguments . Just because a company goes bankrupt shouldn't mean we won't do business with them . Reorganizing debt is common place ,and it strengthens the business . It allowing them to remain open, and meet their obligations . It's quite clear none of the anonymous poster have ever ran a business or had to make a pay role . Being the most Businesses unfriendly state in the union it is common place . With the closure of the Sakonnet bridge, and a failing economy, it's no wonder they have had problems . They lost all of the sales of construction material to the Island and beyond . They are still one of the largest tax payers in Tiverton and employ local workers. I will be supporting this project because Tiverton needs investors who are willing to develop these tracts of land with some thing other than house lots and condo's . This investment takes nothing in return as far as town services. Not from the school, fire ,or police .
The real reason the anonymous posters don't like the developer is because he made a contribution to the TCC. In America we have a system where you support the candidates you like. It sounds like more sour grapes because certain candidates got beat in the last election. Maybe if you weren't flaming liberal NIMBY'S you would get some support.

Powerful Forces I know you posted under all those names making pretend you were me. I just don't see why you still bring it up.

I'm not taking any contributions . I didn't in the last election. I don't want to deal with campaign finance reports. I go out and talk with people . I get an ear full quite often . People are mad about high taxes and want the increases to stop . They understand a lot of it is out of our control. They are happy with our police and fire but many complain about the schools. Some don't vote because they think it does no good. That one really gets me wondering. Many feel if we increase our tax base it will help with the tax situation . I hear stories about missed opportunities and bad deals. It's been a learning experience.

Who's tom? is he a voter? does he give or get money from a PAC? Is he in fact a town resident?Does he hold that Ms Crist should answer the question asked of her, why does the subject matter change from first question after Ms crist made her implacations, If she has proof of what she said let her bring it forth, why do the unnamed on her jump up in her defence and try to turn the question around, I have dealt with EVERY, member of the town council by e-mail at one time or another, they know i don't hide behind a hidden name i believe that they think i'm trying to do my best for ALL of tiverton not just a certain faction, but moving toward a balance point, and you bozo's just continue the anti TCC drum beat! NEXT is this the real jim l or not, i realy don't care, it's me i'm real, i refuse to just sit here and surrender to hidden names living in the past
AND i don't see ANY of the no names saying one dam word about the bridge tolls, something that will effect our town for years to come, so bring on your name calling topic switching nonsence, you couldn't stop the FTR and you will not stop citizens trying to make a better and balanced town

We now who you are Jim. Tiverton is a better town because we have volunteers like you . God Bless You my friend

Dan It's not the level of education . It's more about the cost per student and the School Committee's contracts. I have my own beliefs. I was just stating what I hear.

If I remember right on average about fourteen thousand per student.

So I was close. Did I pass the test Dan, or do you have more questions for me.

Maybe you should try reading my post again .You fail the test F-

Just another taxpayer, how does the public knoe your not an NEA rep either, you talk about the TCC and me all the time, and all i see from you are attacks on me, never any questions answered, just saying i have to credablity etc, etc I may have made mistakes but i'm still standing, with my real name, so attack me personally all you want. The TCC i like most of what they have done, doesn't mean i will vote for them all again, doesn't mean i won't either, What do you have against Muslims, NOw back to the Main qustion which you guys have once again tried to change the subject on , Ms Crist, just what proof did you have about shady deals and such?

Jat , If you cared about Tiverton you wouldn't paint everything with such a broad brush, I don't label people, i don't call thenm KINg or robbie or lord lair , any of the words you and your ilk use on here Why don't you try telling the whole truth, it goes like this THe town council got involved in school spending, that didn't work out, now you can say that the budget commitee did that, but if the budget commitee had come in with a budget much higher than the towns budget then it would have lost the town council finally fixed the dump closing, something no council before would touch, this council has done more in the Indy park than anyone inyears, I think over all this TOWN council( you know won the election) has a low B high C rateing while you and others would have the voters think the deserve nothing but F's So i will continue to try to tell the truth unlike you who tells the truth as you see it, Oh i saw Ms Christ responded, But she didn't answer the question did she?
Not one word about the tolls from you or ms crist have i seen, something which will effect this town and your kids kids for years, why nothing from the unknowns on here about that??

Jim L, I guess I will have to keep telling the truth about the TCC. By the way, I did know that you have become a pollster. This Council will receive their final grade on Novermber 6, 2012.

PS I have already said the tolls are a bad idea.

Who's Mitt Is he running for council , school commitee? budget?

Well i might be insufficiently sensitive to others feelings i'm not insenitive to the hurting the new tolls will put on all off us in tiverton, and i'm sorry but if you can't see the increase in traffic, the wear n tear on the roads, the hidden tax increase for school busses, and the rise in price in the cost of goods for Newport County, the tourist NOT going to 4 corners. then i don't think you have your eyes open, i may not agree with some folks on here, but each and ever one of us, and our families will be hurt by these tolls for a long long time, join up please. If tolls are built then sonner or later your gonna braek down and buy a transponder because with others avoiding the tolls Fish rd and main rd is going to be a circus, take those cars cutting around the tolls, and in the schools busses, a few tractor trailers and it will all be wonderfull

The plan right now is between fish rd exit and adamsvill exit, so if you from fall river or and of those towns or anyother place in ri you would get off at harbour mall and take fish road leaving the island you could take fish road, main rd,exit and bypass the tolls, it's that easy, and I believe many will do it, just great for our roads and traffic and you are still going to see an increase in prices, shipping costs will raise and you know who will pay for that, any sports tean from the high school going to play an opposesing team will be subject to the toll, this whole idea was not thought out or studied, and should be stopped cold by the state till the effects on businees and families is studied, not just slapped down on Newport county because upstate says so