Selex Grant ITI
Tax Stabilization
By M. D. Drysdale

The Randolph Selectboard agreed unanimously Tuesday evening to authorize a 10-year taxstabilization to Inner Traditions International if the Rochester firm builds its proposed expansion in Randolph.

The board was following the recommendation of its Tax Stabilization Subcommittee, as explained by Marty Strange.

The $2-million building will provide 15 to 20 new jobs, Strange told the selectboard and would be "a very green building."

"It’s a clean business, a quality operation," he said. The subcommittee had satisfied itself that the firm is likely to continue in Randolph for the long term, Strange said. The owner and management are not interested in a buyout, and even should owner Ehud Sperling retire, the second tier managers are "working into an ownership position," he said.

The recommendation was that town taxes be reduced to 50% of what they would otherwise be during the 10-year period. The state must approve a similar stabilization of school taxes, but that looks likely, the board was told.

The agreement comes with two provisions. First, if the number of employees at the Randolph facility falls below 10, the town has the right to suspend the tax agreement. Second, if the property is sold, the town may capture five years of lost taxes plus 12% interest.

ITI President Ehud Sperling and Vice President Patti Harvey attended the meeting and spoke briefly.

Noting the current "problematic" economy, Sperling said he was nevertheless confident of getting financing and is working with the Randolph National Bank and others.

The vote to accept the stabilization proposal was 4-0. Board Chair Stephen Webster abstained, since he serves on the RNB board.

"You bring new energy to town," commented Selectman Larry Townsend.

Sheriff’s Contract

Orange County Sheriff Bill Bohnyak was successful in getting the board to change its mind with regards to the contract with the Sheriff’s Department.

In adding $2000 to the contract in a recent meeting, the board had decreed that the sheriff and deputies should limit their activities to traffic patrol.

Bohnyak protested that the contract has always been "full service," and said the need to answer calls is greater than ever because the State Police have been cutting back.

"We are seeing an increase in calls," he said, noting four burglary calls in Tunbridge one recent week.

Noting that the department has reliably stayed within its contract limits in most recent years, the board agreed to allow the "full service" contract continue.

More Surpluses

In a review of the financial position of the town at the end of February, Finance Director John Clough predicted that the fiscal year ending June 30 would again show surpluses in most accounts.

That prompted Townsend to ask whether surpluses are such a good thing. Surpluses of about $250,000 were reported last June 30, and were pumped into this year’s budget. Perhaps taxes should have been a bit lower, he suggested.

Town Manager Peter Butterfield noted that though more surpluses are expected, they will probably be lower than last year.

Surpluses in the general and highway funds combined were projected by Clough at $120,000 to $160,000, compared to $253,000 last year.

In addition, the water fund should have a $90,000 to $120,000 surplus and the sewer fund $85,000, his figures showed. These monies should go toward necessary improvements to the system, he said.

Wood Energy

Frank Reed asked and received a statement of support from the selectboard in applying for a grant that would explore the use of more wood-burning energy in Randolph.

The proposal comes from the new town Energy Committee, Reed said.

The Randolph Area Community Development Corp. (RACDC) will do the spadework on the grant application, he said.

"We would like the opportunity to explore resources in the area as a source of energy," he said. Wood could be used to heat parts of the downtown and also to produce electricity, he speculated.