Development

    

The IDA is now active again.  Our first meeting was held on August 3.  We set up the board.  The purpose is to bring much needed business and industry to our Town.  Our first business was to research the 21 lots taken by tax collector's deed.  We did site walks on 6 lots.  The 4 lots that are industrial zoned are the Brown lot on Dort St. has 48 acres with all service and access on both Dort St. and Bigelow Hill Road.  The Industrial property (Route 12 south) 8.3 acres- sewer could be a problem.  Quarry Rd. (old trailer park) is 69 acres —small lot with potential.  Mill St. parking lot, 5.58 acres with all services.  The board thought the Mill St. parking lot was the best lot to start with so we started to clear it.  Our findings on the other 17 lots were turned over to the Selectmen.  We discussed an auction but couldn't come to a unanimous decision.  We also discussed trying to develop one of them,  Our economy and the funding makes this too much of a gamble.

The Troy Redevelopment Group (TRG) has been awarded a $400,000 environmental clean-up grant under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  The grant is provided through and administered by the NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) and it can be used only for clean-up of environmental contamination within the 19 acre Troy Mills complex.  TRG and NHDES are hopeful that these funds will be sufficient to complete the environmental clean-up that was started in 2007.
   

The Select Board has reactivated the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) for the Town of Troy.  The main goal of the Industrial Development Authority is to attract new business into Troy that will create new jobs, pay taxes, and add to the quality of life and culture in town, while at the same time, reducing the overall property taxes.    

Currently, Troy has 21 properties that have been acquired through Tax Collector’s Deed.  These properties will be reviewed for possible use to attract new business and income.  Public meetings will be held and ideas are welcome. The minutes of the IDA will be posted and also available on the Troy website.  Suggestions are welcome and can be brought into the town hall for consideration. Russell Butler, Selectman. 

Many of you may have noticed that the old playground equipment at Sand Dam Recreation Area was removed this fall.  For many, this may have been a disappointment, but do not worry, better things are on the way!  A Recreation Committee has been formed with the following concern:  This committee's mission is to revitalize Sand Dam so that it will have a growing reputation as an attractive and available community gathering place where the citizens of Troy can enjoy our town's heritage, have fun, be safe, and learn.  We will ensure it is a venue at which the families of our community can gather freely without worry, and will maintain a healthy respect for the park’s original post-WWII purpose, to promote water safety.
    On March 9th, residents of Troy will have an opportunity to vote on three Warrant Articles that address the improvements to be made there. The Recreation Committee would appreciate your ‘yes’ vote on all three, none of which will impact our tax rate.

A lot was accomplished at the Troy Mill this summer though it might not show from the street. The Green demolition of 80,000 SF of buildings in the center of the mill complex has been completed, creating a one acre central court yard.  The undertaking was a big job since before demolition all of the interiors of the buildings needed to be removed first. The green demolition included recycling of all metals, removal of wood roofs and recycling the wood into flooring.  In addition we have saved all the bricks we need to do the brick repair on the mill.  The balance of the bricks and concrete will be used as base for the walking paths (brick) and the concrete will be crushed into base material for the parking lot. It is estimated that we will recycle over 8 million pounds of brick and concrete materials.

Visible activity at the Troy Mills site has slowed for the winter season. Current tenants come and go as usual, but the work on the interior buildings slated for demolition has been brought to a halt. "Paperwork" activity continues, however, as effort continues toward securing grants and loan support for economic development at the site. The product of this effort will be apparent as commercial spaces open up. The plans for residential development, on the other hand, have been delayed in recognition of the current economic downturn.