Huge Commercial Project in West Alton

[Little Bear]

One important thing that residents of Alton can do to show opposition to this development is to vote on Tuesday. Please vote NO on Warrant Article # 4, which would create a new use called a “Flexible Zoning Subdivision”. I’ve been told that this zoning change idea has something to do with the proposed commercial development on Cherry Valley Road. There’s also a similar Warrant Article on the Gilford ballot, so Gilford residents should also vote NO against this Article. I heard that the same group has been pushing the zoning changes in both towns.

[gravy boat]

Originally Posted by Little Bear

One important thing that residents of Alton can do to show opposition to this development is to vote on Tuesday. Please vote NO on Warrant Article # 4, which would create a new use called a “Flexible Zoning Subdivision”. I’ve been told that this zoning change idea has something to do with the proposed commercial development on Cherry Valley Road. There’s also a similar Warrant Article on the Gilford ballot, so Gilford residents should also vote NO against this Article. I heard that the same group has been pushing the zoning changes in both towns.

We were approached by developers we later found out to be involved to some extent with the Alton project. This developer owns the former Arlberg and is going for rezoning of another property next to it. On the ballot in Gilford tomorrow is 2.1 and about flex zoning. Flex zoning will basically open the door to developers and give them more leeway.


Vote NO, Gilford, on 2.1

[TomC]

Cities and towns have an insatiable appetite for tax "revenue" (I hate that word - it is used to hide the fact that they are simply taking the money of citizens). There will always the "need" for a new Emergency Management Complex, an Activity Center, Town Office Building, or whatever. Developers create increases in property taxes... how much more would Alton get from this Cherry Valley project vs. acres of a forested hilltop? So - the default position of a town board will be to let these things go through unless there is vocal opposition to them by the citizens of the town... If folks don't want this - you had better vote, otherwise you will find that it will happen organically...

[TiltonBB]

More information in the Laconia Sun about the Arlberg proposal.

The man involved, Nick Tamposi, is also the investor who purchased Dave's Motorboat. He is involved in other local projects, in some cases behind the scene. He does good work and his projects improve the community.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...0ec1958d9.html

[gravy boat]

Glidden road property - sold to a developer.
Sara Bean’s property across from Cat Path on 11A - sold to a developer out of Texas.
The Cherry Valley/Alton property - sold to a developer already seeking to buy surrounding properties for expansion.

And the The Arlberg - owned by a developer with rumored ties to the Cherry Valley project.

Tamposi may have improved communities down south but tell me - how will more housing for the wealthy improve our town and lives? I know expansion happens but it has certainly sped up.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by gravy boat

Tamposi may have improved communities down south but tell me - how will more housing for the wealthy improve our town and lives? I know expansion happens but it has certainly sped up.

Housing for the wealthy?

Generally, by the time people have achieved significant wealth they are older and beyond their child bearing years. Not always, but more often than not.

If they build a home and pay taxes their burden on the town is small and their financial contribution is larger than any services they require. They also patronize local businesses and their dollars help the local economy.

How will it improve your life? Your taxes will be lower and there will be more viable businesses for you to spend your money at.

[codeman671]

I thought the theory correlating Cherry Valley and Tamposi had already been debunked?

If Tamposi just wants an inn across from Gunstock and isn't trying to buy up the entire area I am fine with it, but who knows what his true intentions may end up being?

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Housing for the wealthy?

Generally, by the time people have achieved significant wealth they are older and beyond their child bearing years. Not always, but more often than not.

If they build a home and pay taxes their burden on the town is small and their financial contribution is larger than any services they require. They also patronize local businesses and their dollars help the local economy.

How will it improve your life? Your taxes will be lower and there will be more viable businesses for you to spend your money at.

I agree with everything you just posted except, "your taxes will be lower". That almost never happens!

[John Mercier]

If the voters (citizens) decide to spend the same amount during the budget project, then an increase in value of property other than your own, should defer taxes to that improved property.

But none of these proposals are exactly the same...
And the wealthy being marketed to are not retirees.

I have some designs out for some... and the youngest in their late 20s.
Tech entrepreneur.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Housing for the wealthy?
Generally, by the time people have achieved significant wealth they are older and beyond their child bearing years. Not always, but more often than not.

If they build a home and pay taxes their burden on the town is small and their financial contribution is larger than any services they require. They also patronize local businesses and their dollars help the local economy.

How will it improve your life? Your taxes will be lower and there will be more viable businesses for you to spend your money at.

New development adds roads that need to be plowed and maintained and need more police to patrol. More ambulance calls means more Fire/rescue people and there will be pressure for an added fire house, and more full time staffing. Let's say it costs $100K to hire somebody with training, retirement, health insurance etc, it will take a dozen houses at $8000 tax each to hire that person, And $50K to give him/her a patrol car. Same for a firefighter plus $250K for an ambulance and how much for an added station?
Every time I hear "fallen and needs help" on the scanner, it means an ambulance and an engine both roll as they need four people, and a patrol car goes too. Maybe two if it's a busy area and needs traffic control.
Right, less school burden, but there is not much profit in taking care of old people unless you run a retirement community.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by Descant

New development adds roads that need to be plowed and maintained and need more police to patrol. More ambulance calls means more Fire/rescue people and there will be pressure for an added fire house, and more full time staffing. Let's say it costs $100K to hire somebody with training, retirement, health insurance etc, it will take a dozen houses at $8000 tax each to hire that person, And $50K to give him/her a patrol car. Same for a firefighter plus $250K for an ambulance and how much for an added station?
Every time I hear "fallen and needs help" on the scanner, it means an ambulance and an engine both roll as they need four people, and a patrol car goes too. Maybe two if it's a busy area and needs traffic control.
Right, less school burden, but there is not much profit in taking care of old people unless you run a retirement community.

You make good points but the vast majority of the budgets are for the schools and that is something that older people do not use.

I am a senior and pay over $20,000 per year in real estate taxes. Other than snow plowing I use very little of the town services. I have owned the current home for over 20 years have never needed the police or fire department, but it is nice to know they are there.

I spend winters in Florida so there is not much chance I will need those services, or any town services, for 6 months of the year. In my opinion the town is making a profit on me.

[Descant]

Tilton BB--Understood. Property taxes are the biggest expense in my (retirement) budget too. $10K to Gilford for an island camp with little or no police, fire, school, roads etc. Five months a year access. I can't moor overnight in Glendale, so I have to have a mainland slip, $1500 taxes, but for club dues I get some level of private security. The roads I use are state roads so NH maintains those, not Gilford.

However, we need schools to bring up a new generation who will take care of us oldsters, staff the PD and FD, hospitals, sell us retail goods, etc. If the town can't make a little profit off of us the younger generation will move and set us adrift. We are luckier than those who really can't pay their taxes.

[John Mercier]

The tax equation is really not relevant.

[DaisyFlower]

You/your family may not use the school system, but it (school system) is one of the biggest factors in determining real estate value(s). You should ALWAYS support the school system.

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

You make good points but the vast majority of the budgets are for the schools and that is something that older people do not use.

I am a senior and pay over $20,000 per year in real estate taxes. Other than snow plowing I use very little of the town services. I have owned the current home for over 20 years have never needed the police or fire department, but it is nice to know they are there.

I spend winters in Florida so there is not much chance I will need those services, or any town services, for 6 months of the year. In my opinion the town is making a profit on me.

[dickiej]

If you have kids, your kids were educated by the contributions (real estate taxes) of others most likely. Public education is a social contract….like social security. It’s part of living in a cooperative society. Look closely at Scandinavian countries…they are the worlds happiest places ( even with long, cold winters) because they seriously take care of each other with basic standards of living.

[John Mercier]

Actually, the buyers being discussed are not looking at either the school system or the property tax rates in their search for property.

Alton and Gilford use two different school systems to my knowledge and have two very different tax rates.

The only difference that I have noted in this group is that they are coming by air rather than highway; or at least need easy access to the airport for business trips. I am guessing the drive from Manchester on Friday evenings must be brutal.

[Weekend Pundit]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

The only difference that I have noted in this group is that they are coming by air rather than highway; or at least need easy access to the airport for business trips. I am guessing the drive from Manchester on Friday evenings must be brutal.

If they're flying commercial I can see where driving up from Manchester might be a chore. However, if they have enough money they can probably use Net Jets and fly directly into Laconia if they're coming from some distance. If they live in the Boston area then a helicopter might make sense because then they can fly directly to the property and get there in less than an hour.

It all depends upon time - how much they're willing use to get there - and money - how much they're willing to spend to get there.

[John Mercier]

They aren't considering these second homes.

[Weekend Pundit]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

They aren't considering these second homes.

I don't think we can make that assumption. Yes, some will be primary residences but some will be second...or third...or fourth homes. Goodness knows we see that on Governor's Island.

[John Mercier]

Does Governor's Island even have ten plus acre lots?

[Descant]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

Does Governor's Island even have ten plus acre lots?

Sort of. The GIC owns a 47 acre parcel on Summit Ave that is in current use. I guess there could be other inland parcels.

[John Mercier]

But it isn't for sale and buildable is it?

[gravy boat]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Housing for the wealthy?

Generally, by the time people have achieved significant wealth they are older and beyond their child bearing years. Not always, but more often than not.

If they build a home and pay taxes their burden on the town is small and their financial contribution is larger than any services they require. They also patronize local businesses and their dollars help the local economy.

How will it improve your life? Your taxes will be lower and there will be more viable businesses for you to spend your money at.

Having owned/lived in the same house in Gilford since mid 1990s I am still waiting for my tax bill to decrease.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by gravy boat

Having owned/lived in the same house in Gilford since mid 1990s I am still waiting for my tax bill to decrease.

I said taxes will be lower, not lowered. If you took the wealthy with expensive homes off the tax rolls your taxes would be higher than they are now.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

I said taxes will be lower, not lowered. If you took the wealthy with expensive homes off the tax rolls your taxes would be higher than they are now.

By more than most can estimate...

[Weekend Pundit]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

More information in the Laconia Sun about the Arlberg proposal.

The man involved, Nick Tamposi, is also the investor who purchased Dave's Motorboat. He is involved in other local projects, in some cases behind the scene. He does good work and his projects improve the community.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...0ec1958d9.html

Are you sure it was Nick Tamposi who bought Dave's? I thought it was Brad and Carolyn Champlain who bought it and are renaming it Champlain Marine? Or is Nick an investor?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Weekend Pundit

Are you sure it was Nick Tamposi who bought Dave's? I thought it was Brad and Carolyn Champlain who bought it and are renaming it Champlain Marine? Or is Nick an investor?

There is a sign there that says Champlain Marine...

Dan

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

There is a sign there that says Champlain Marine...

Dan

Yes;

Coming soon
Champlain Marine

In hope that Dave did well.


Alan

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

Yes;

Coming soon
Champlain Marine

In hope that Dave did well.


Alan

My understanding is that it was on the market for $2.5m, but closed at $1.5m. I get a weekly update email from a commercial broker on various closings around the state. It’s quite informative. Here is the excerpt from the report that week:

“Dave's Motorboat Shoppe at 221 Intervale Road in Gilford has been sold to a Laconia-based LLC for $1.5 million.”

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by Weekend Pundit

Are you sure it was Nick Tamposi who bought Dave's? I thought it was Brad and Carolyn Champlain who bought it and are renaming it Champlain Marine? Or is Nick an investor?

Yes, Nick Tamposi bought it. The Champlain's are leasing it. Nick is also an investor in other area businesses but chooses to remain in the background.