Mr. Cummings, Director of Economic Development for the City of Nashua, presented the Mohawk Tannery development project to the Board of Aldermen on January 10, 2023.
Nashua residents should be asking many questions starting with the 2019 projected Superfund cleanup costs of between $7-14 million dollars. This three-year-old costing should have been updated and more reasonable costs provided.
The presentation left one feeling as though much information was withheld. Some carefully worded phrases escaped “plain English”. It seemed like a lot of concessions would have to be given by the Nashua taxpayer, with fewer concessions given by Blaylock. So how is this fair?
Blaylock reps stated that they entered an agreement with the EPA however Blaylock neglected to state that they already purchased the Mohawk land (Purchase and Sales 12/2020 attached). Director Cummings stated that we would have to waive the back taxes and interest owed on the property. We already waived the back taxes as we no longer own the property. Where is the honesty here?
When the Blaylock rep was questioned about affordable housing requirements that were recently passed in the City of Nashua that required 20% affordable housing on all developments, Blaylock stated that Blaylock would pull out if they had to do the required amount for affordable housing. They. may not develop but they own the property. What is the legal and community impact of violating the recently passed Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance?
The city knew that the Mohawk & Fimble properties were sold to Blaylock back in December 2020. However, the city NEVER COLLECT THE PROPERTY TAXES OWED TO THE NASHUA TAXPAYERS ($1,200,000), and/or the city never actually changed the ownership of the property assessment and tax cards. Straightforward, honest communication from our City leaders is sorely lacking.
This project appears to be full steam ahead with public input not yet gathered. I submitted a letter documenting my concerns to the Board. No one responded. Many cost items have yet to be determined and most likely these will become the responsibility of the taxpayers.
State, law requires that lien properties have the taxes owed paid when a property is sold; however, this was not the case for the Mohawk/Fimbel properties. So taking the $1.2 million the taxpayers will write off for the back taxes and interest and the “other” loans that will be required, and taxpayers should take notice.
To review the actual presentation, please go to the following website:
To review the written minutes, please go to the following website:
https://www.nashuanh.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01102023-6353
