Town hoping to retain Dunkin’ Brands

Both the Board of Assessors and Board of Selectmen are prepared to extend a tax increment financing (TIF) agreement with Dunkin’ Brands for another five years in order to convince the popular restaurant franchisor to stay in Canton.

The company, which owns both the Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins brands, has been headquartered at 130 Royall Street since relocating from Randolph in 2004. However, its lease agreement is set to expire in 2015 and it is considering a move to a nearby community.

Canton Economic Development Committee Chairman Gene Manning said the TIF extension would show the town’s support for the company and go a long way toward convincing Dunkin’ to stay in Canton.

A TIF, according to the state Office of Housing and Economic Development, is a tax exemption on the increased value of a property that results from development. TIF agreements are negotiated between the business and municipality and can last for a period of five to 20 years.

A previous Canton town meeting had authorized a 10-year TIF agreement with Dunkin’ Brands that expires in 2015. The five-year extension agreed to by assessors and selectmen allows for a 20 percent reduction of the increased assessment (tax increment). Manning said the current assessment is nearly $16.5 million.

Boston property manager H.N. Gorin, which owns the Royall Street building, pays $350,000 to $400,000 in taxes to the town while Dunkin’ Brands provides 500 jobs to the region, 10 percent of which are held by Canton residents.

Manning called Dunkin’ a “great corporate community member” — one that actively participates in the Canton Association of Business and Industry and actively donates to youth sports, school and community programs as well as many outside charitable causes. He said the company’s presence has been very beneficial for the town and has been a valuable promotional tool for the EDC in attracting other businesses to Canton. A formal agreement will be authorized by selectmen at their next meeting, and Manning suggested that a representative of the selectmen and assessors meet with company officials to finalize the terms of the agreement.

In other news Tuesday night, selectmen said they regretted having to cancel the Gridley Preschool program but were left with no choice due to low enrollment and unsustainably low tuition rates.

The school, which had been operated by the Recreation Department, was reportedly facing a $10,000 deficit along with multiple staff vacancies and had generated only 12 signups for the upcoming school year.

However, Chairman Sal Salvatori said the board would consider reopening the school in the future if there was enough interest shown by parents. Selectman Avril Elkort said the Recreation Department would still hold programs for young children at the school as the building is well suited for that purpose.

Former Gridley teacher Sandy Hart, who also coaches the Canton Dolphins swim team, addressed selectmen and said the teachers at the school were not respected by selectmen or Recreation Director Janet Maguire and the town did not properly recognize or market the program.

Hart said teachers, including herself, left the school because the town did not offer proper benefits; the Recreation Department did not properly communicate with the teachers; and selectmen did not reach out to the teachers when mulling the future of the program.

“We were in effect on an island,” said Hart. “It was as if the Gridley School never existed. We were not a priority. We felt frustrated.”

Selectman John Connolly said the board did not find out about the teachers leaving the program until May 28, while Hart said she informed Maguire in early May.

In other news:

* Salvatori proposed the formation of the Reservoir Pond Advisory Committee, which would advise selectmen on permitted uses of the pond, including watercraft usage, the size and horsepower of boats, and acceptable noise levels. The panel would include representatives from the Recreation Commission, Conservation Commission, Police and Fire departments, Wampatuck Country Club, Orchard Cove, Mass. Hospital School, Reservoir Pond Preservation Association, and three at-large representatives. Selectmen are expected to act on the formation of the committee at their next meeting.

* Selectmen commended the Recreation Department and Recreation Commission as well as the Police and Fire departments for giving Canton residents a “great and safe July 4^th,” both during the annual road race and at the celebration and fireworks display on the grounds of the Irish Cultural Centre. The town received donations for the road race from the Canton Co-operative Bank, Bank of Canton, state Representative William Galvin, and Selectman Connolly.

* Town Administrator Bill Friel informed selectmen that future meeting minutes will contain formal votes and consensuses of opinion but will not include copious notes of every comment made during the meeting. Selectmen will retain audio tapes and also have video recordings from Cable 8.

* Friel informed selectmen that the state Department of Revenue is now requiring communities to ensure that all restaurants that apply for annual licenses have “certificates of good standing status.” According to Friel, restaurants must show they have paid all meals and other state taxes before selectmen can issue permits. Friel said of the 68 restaurants in Canton, three need to show these certificates to the town. Selectmen voted to allow another 30 days to complete the state requirement.

* Selectmen held a moment of silence for the late Joseph Webb, who served on the Cable Advisory Committee, and Milton Police Officer John Lank, father of Canton Police Officer Michael Lank.

* A public hearing on the Comcast cable license will be held on September 17.

* Selectmen will next meet on Tuesday, July 23, at 7 p.m.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Jul 12 2013. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.