State Names Tewksbury an Economic Target Area

Although the town is still waiting for final documentation, the state has approved Tewksbury's application to be designated as an Economic Target Area.

Tewksbury applied to the state jointly with the town of Andover. The measure was approved last Tuesday by the state's Economic Assistance Coordinating Committee.

The Economic Target Area designation has the potential to benefit Tewksbury in many ways, including the town's ability to compete with other towns regionally, nationally, and internationally in recruiting companies to the area. As per the designation, businesses will also be eligible for state tax credits if they decide to invest in the local economy.

David Plunkett, the Planning Board chairman, is confident this decision by the State of Massachusetts is a positive leap for the town.

"The key was not to wait for things to turn around and try to react at that point…(but) for the town to position (itself) to be able to compete for base industry," he said. "We would be a destination of choice for some highly desirable businesses."

The Economic Target Area designation encourages the growth of industry and economic development, and could be a positive force for Tewksbury. It is doubly potent with Tewksbury's recent Gold Star status for biotechnology business.

, and the Economic Development Committee are both largely responsible for the passing of this initiative, said Plunkett.

Changes to cell tower proposed:

The Planning Board also heard from David Archambault, representing Clearwire US, LLC. The company, which is a subsidiary of Sprint/Nextel, petitioned the panel to allow for three panel and two dish antennae to be added to an existing tower at 999 Whipple Road. Clearwire hopes to solve issues surrounding holes in coverage that its wireless cell phone users experience in Tewksbury and some surrounding towns.

The proposed changes to the tower are to an existing shelter and on a site that is mostly hidden. Archambault assured the board that the additional antennae were minimally invasive and would preserve the beauty of the town.

"You're not really going to see a whole lot more than what's there now," he said. "Our site is not out on some main drag somewhere where it's going to cause problems."

Archambault also testified to how the wireless provider served to benefit the community.

"We would like to add it to our coverage so that the people in your town could benefit from the use of wireless broadband at high speeds," he said.

Archambault argued that the advantages provided by high-speed technology would be very desirable to business in the area. This is especially relevant in light of the town's new designation as an Economic Target Area.

The board decided to continue the hearing two weeks until it received additional information. It will vote upon the issue after a Threshold Information Package has been submitted, including the site's compliance with the town's bylaws, and a recommendation from Tewksbury's Town Manager.

In other business:

• Atty. Brian Bagby argued before the board the necessity of upgrading approximately 100 feet of sidewalk in front of property he owns at 955 Main St. The board debated the condition of the sidewalk and whether a topcoat or full repaving was necessary. Ultimately, the board decided that the special permit requested by Bagby was self-explanatory, and that Bagby would have to comply. This means either depositing $15 per linear foot into the town's sidewalk fund, or completing the sidewalk upgrades to the property.
• George Eliopoulas approached the board to request a special permit to improve property at 1079 Main St. The property has multiple businesses, including Galloway's Grocerette. The owners, Thea Rnixi, LLC, intends to incorporate benches along its sidewalk, in order to create a community atmosphere and enhance 1079 Main Street's curb appeal. The hearing was continued for two weeks until the property owner's architect produces landscape concept work.
• The hearing regarding 30 International Place was continued until Nov. 1.