Recently, the Northfield Selectboard approved placing an article on the Annual Town Meeting warrant for $5,000 to use “in the pursuit of research related to the development of a business park in town.” Sounds like a modest proposal that should sail through Town Meeting in May. Yet, establishing a business park or, indeed, any new business endeavor, has been an uphill battle in Northfield. The latest business proposal, for example, for a campground on Pierson Road, is stalled by neighbors’ litigation following its approval by the Planning Board. This fuels the committee’s contention that Northfield is perceived as anti-business. “I think that’s something that needs to change,” said Business Park Committee member Steve Seredynski.
Northfield wasn’t always anti-business. Within living memory of its oldest residents, the town has supported five gas stations, two auto dealerships and two grocery stores, among other establishments. Going back even further, Northfield has had four railroad depots, grist- and sawmills, a hospital, tavern and inn. But today, Northfield is known as the town without a gas station, following the 2010 defeat of a plan which would have upgraded the last gas station in town by adding a doughnut shop and convenience store similar to the Neighbors Convenience Store in Ashfield.
Bernardston, on the other hand, has incorporated new businesses with aplomb, finding space to add a marijuana grower, a dollar store, a candle factory and a retail emporium, Kringle Candle, to its legacy business landscape. Of course, Bernardston enjoys proximity to Interstate 91 and more buildable land, whereas Northfield has a greater percentage of wetlands. And not everyone likes Bernardston’s new look. Indeed, committee members said the only concerns that have surfaced so far concern the aesthetics of any potential building.
The impetus, and the reason townspeople should support the Business Park Committee, is property tax relief and jobs. “We need some land set aside that is approved by right for construction of buildings so we can produce some jobs in this town,” said committee Chair Barry Bordner. That’s been the goal of every Master Plan dating back to 1977.
One way to move forward is to envision actual sites for a business park in Northfield, which is the next step for the Business Park Committee and the reason for the request for $5,000 to explore the possibilities. The group has held 11 meetings since it was founded in late 2018 and has participated in site visits to potential business park locations. “We think there is a real opportunity to get something going,” member Jack Spanbauer said.
Residents will be in the best position to assess their town’s future economic development by approving the Business Park Committee’s request for some funds to work with. Bordner said it would be meaningful for the project to receive the blessing of residents through an Annual Town Meeting vote. That chance will come on May 4.