Barrington voters turn down TIF district. What's next for town center?

Karen Dandurant, Fosters Daily Democrat
·2 min read

BARRINGTON — Voters turned down a proposed tax increment financing district for the town center on Tuesday.

Voting in the town was rescheduled this week due to a snowstorm that postponed voting on March 14. About 28% of voters came out Tuesday with 1,881 votes were cast out of 6,706 registered voters.

Article 9, the town Center TIF district, failed on a vote of 987-824.

Voters in Barrington turned down the creation of a tax increment financing district in the town center when they vote on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
Voters in Barrington turned down the creation of a tax increment financing district in the town center when they vote on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

On Barrington's home page, town leaders promoted a TIF district as "an instrument to spur economic development in Barrington's Town Center. The vision included "a quaint, safe, walkable" area "with extensive civic use/open space which support the desire for commercial development. A TIF district invests new tax dollars to promote the goals of the district, including civic use public facilities, utilities, and transportation."

If passed the proposed TIF district would have included 205 properties along Routes 125 and 9 in Barrington's greater town center and village zoning districts. It would have authorized the town Select Board to appoint a district administrator and to create a five-member advisory board.

More local news: NH hotel funds expire April 1. Hundreds in Strafford County, Seacoast could lose housing.

"The decision of voters on the TIF district was insightful," said Town Administrator Conner MacIver.  "We felt that a TIF district would be a tool to help accomplish the vision of the town center; voters said it was not the right tool at this time. As local leaders, we need to listen to voter decisions carefully and make sure we adapt their government appropriately."

MacIver said what town officials heard from voters was the proposal was too broad and residents could not see a direct and tangible benefit.

"Private development of the town center area will continue," he said. "The town will pursue other tools to help ensure the development meets the needs of residents and the vision for the town center. This focus will still be on transportation, pedestrian, and recreation improvements. We will continue to seek resident input as we update our master plan chapters and vision for Barrington as a whole and the town center in particular."

More results from Barrington election

Kids in Barington vote Tuesday, March 28, 2023 on dog tag colors and naming two town vehicles.
Kids in Barington vote Tuesday, March 28, 2023 on dog tag colors and naming two town vehicles.

Tracy Hardekopf and James Saccoccia were elected to the Board of Selectmen. Voters also passed the town's $8.28 million operating budget, as well a bargaining agreement with Barrington Police Union NEPBA Local 240.

On the school ballot, a $27.8 million operating budget was approved. Garth Svenson was elected to the School Board, running unopposed. A paraprofessional union contract was also approved.

A kids vote banner in Barrington, signed by all the students who voted Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
A kids vote banner in Barrington, signed by all the students who voted Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

Also on Tuesday, 264 town students voted on three items. As a result, next year's Barrington dog tags will be blue, the Highway Department's new dump truck will be called Bulldog, and the new Recreational Department van will be named "Rec It Ralph."

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Barrington NH voters turn down proposed TIF district for town center