POLAND – Selectmen on Tuesday made plans for a town meeting to discuss tax breaks for a $2.3 million development that one consultant estimated would triple local tax revenues.
The plan, proposed by economic development consultant Steve Levesque of Auburn-based Community Dynamics, calls for the development of a new downtown village along Route 26 that would serve as a “catalyst” for further economic growth in Poland. The site is in the area of the former Just Friends restaurant.
“Sixteen thousand cars pass through here every day,” Levesque said. “We’re going to give them a reason to stop.”
The plan also calls for a center turning lane running from Poland Regional High School to Tripp Lake Road.
If approved, the new development will include a food-related business and an office complex. Construction will be handled by K.P. Realty of Lewiston, the company responsible for building two Dunkin’ Donuts shops in the Twin Cities, the latest in New Auburn.
A special town meeting will be announced to discuss the use of tax increment financing to avoid a drastic increase in property valuations while increasing Poland’s tax revenue.
“If Poland is going to stabilize its tax base,” Levesque explained to the selectmen, “a certain proportion needs to be commercial to minimize costs.”
Because most of Poland’s current commercial tax base derives from the Poland Spring bottling plant, most of which is classified as personal property and could eventually be lost if a bill before the Legislature is passed, “the town will run into a wall,” Levesque said.
The plan differs from other TIF plans, according to Levesque, “because TIFs are usually used to add to a current development. This one will create a new downtown, which doesn’t (currently) exist in Poland.”
When pressed by board member Sandra Knowles for potential drawbacks stemming from the proposed project, Levesque said that “from a commercial standpoint, there are not a lot of cons because TIFing will keep taxes down.”
“This is a great opportunity for the town,” said Chuck Finger, also of Community Dynamics. “When the people see the numbers they will realize it’s a win-win situation.”
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