Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini admires architect’s rendering of Haverhill Place.
In what is seen as resolution to a sewer project benefiting Harbor Place, Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini would be given the power to waive certain building permit fees if city councilors advance the plan Tuesday night.
The ordinance, filed a day after city councilors last met, allows the mayor to waive up to 25 percent of building permit fees for “major economic development projects.” Such projects are described as those generating more than $30 million in development costs, creating no less than 100 jobs and producing more than a 25 percent increase in real estate taxes. Developers of such projects must use “best efforts” to hire at least 30 percent of construction workers from Haverhill.
Councilors voted unanimously Aug. 11 to delay granting Harbor Place’s Merrimack Street project nearly $272,000 in construction-related city fee reductions in return for having its contractor complete a sewer line replacement. City officials had said they were aware sewer lines to the former F.W. Woolworth department store and related buildings would be discontinued, but did not realize the same line serves the city-owned Herbert H. Goecke Memorial Parking Deck and the two Pentucket Bank buildings across the street. The mayor said having the developer do the work—rather than seek competitive bids—would avoid project delays.
It was unclear at deadline over what time period the city would consider the condition of 25 percent increased real estate taxes had been met or whether the city’s previous grant of tax increment financing (TIF) affects that schedule. More than a year ago, councilors agreed Harbor Place would be exempt from increased property taxes for 12 years. At the time, the total tax savings was expected to be $1.5 million.
Developers securing relief under the plan are required to show the city “detailed evidence” the requirements are met.
Once again- the gutless cowards on the city council refuse to get in the weeds and dig enough to find out why we are allowing this and they simply cave to the Mayor.
City council is quiet when it comes to challenging the Mayor.
City council is quiet when it comes to raising property taxes.
City council is quiet when it comes to raising water rates.
City council is quiet when it comes to raising sewer rates.
Yes – keep voting for these cowards…….good luck.
“Developers of such projects must use “best efforts” to hire at least 30 percent of construction workers from Haverhill.”
This is political pandering as usual. No effort is EVER made to hire people from Haverhill. One of Haverhill’s largest contractors, Capital Waste, doesn’t even hire people from the United States to work on their Haverhill contract, never mind employees having to be from Haverhill!!! It’s BS as usual from Taxman Forentini. Failurentini knows full well that Capital Waste uses illegal trespassers from other countries to pick up the trash in Haverhill, yet he does nothing about it. And he expects people to believe he’ll be truthful of this latest plan? Sure he will…..
Well a few questions. Why didn’t Haverhill know the line did support city assets as well as others ? This is the largest project in quite a while right ?
When you say ” avoiding project delays ” . to whom are those delays relevant to : The city or the developer ? Will the city save money or lose money if the project is delayed and bids sought ?
Why is the city always on the defense in these situations ? It seems that would be those are answers residents need to hear.
Now i hear rumblings of patronage running rampant on this project. Who knows ??