Till the Zoning Ordinance is revamped we wont see any large scale commercial development . When you don't allow large retail in town, you end up with no economic development . Our ordinance restricts the size of commercial buildings . It prohibits retail commercial growth . In other words, no big box stores . These stores work like anchors for smaller retail stores . They bring people in to the area that also shop in the smaller stores . We have talked about it for years but we never seem to get it done . I guess we don't really need the extra tax base . Love those big tax bills .

Are you serious, Certain Tiverton people, sadly, just a handful, make it impossible. I wouldnt even consider it. Why put yourself under the stress. Here is a thought. WHY do we allow 1 or 2 people to stop progress?

I have a different opinion. I would actually rather pay higher tax bills than see Tiverton turn into North Dartmouth or Seekonk. The fact that Tiverton does not have big box stores is one of the reasons I chose to buy a home here. Tiverton does need to address zoning; however it also needs to come up with a master plan to encourage right-sized growth that doesn't change the nature of the community.

Mike I'm glad you can afford the taxes . There are many in town who cant. The model you proposes is what we have now. High taxes, no local jobs ,and a crumbling infrastructure . We need fire , police , and public works equipment . The cost of the Schools go up a million every year or more. If we follow your model things get worse each year . I don't see the harm in having retail stores on Rt 24 in our industrial park if we can attract them . Growing our tax base helps Tiverton stay rural and livable.

And I think a master plan is the critical first step. With that, there is a direction provided to develop or preserve existing zones, such as the waterfront area around the old Stone Bridge, the business zone located near the state line, Tiverton Four Corners and what I think is Bliss (?) Corners. The town needs to work towards something that has specifics identified so we don't end up with just a mish-mash of unsustainable small businesses or haphazardly placed industrial or big-box establishments that generate more noise and pollution, and detract from the overall aesthetic value of the town.

I would like to see a multipurpose indoor sports facility, essentially a steel building with indoor turf where space could be rented on an hourly basis for baseball and football practices, golf, soccer, etc. We have a lot of sports teams in this town that give their money to sport-specific businesses in other town. A multi-purpose building would keep that money here and increase participation in athletics.

Joe, you do realize that municipal spending increased at a higher percentage than school spending over the past ten years?

Speaking of new businesses, I thought you were taking over the sale of Black Market cigarettes in town? Did the deal fall through?

Tiverton Power(GE-7FA). Plenty of hydrogen in the pond and could pipe to monster in Swansea.Grid enhancements will surely be in Tiverton's future.Please do not sell