Letter: Tiverton should trumpet its many attractions

Posted 1/7/19

To the editor:

Tiverton will have a number of new opportunities for growth in the near future. In addition to the casino we have a hotel, something we have not had since the 1960’s when the Old …

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Letter: Tiverton should trumpet its many attractions

Posted

To the editor:

Tiverton will have a number of new opportunities for growth in the near future. In addition to the casino we have a hotel, something we have not had since the 1960’s when the Old Stonebridge Hotel closed. This is convenient to venues that will be held at the soon to open Longplex sports facility. In all likelihood, there is going to be an increase in overnight stays of participants in tournaments.

This council should deal with the permitting and registration of B&B’s and short term rentals. This issue has been brought up for at least six years. In the meantime many of our neighboring communities have developed ordinances. The state is encouraging the collection of the state mandated tax, one percent of which is remanded to the host community. It is a now overlooked source of revenue for the town.

Identifying and licensing these locations also enables us to have an enforceable safety code to both protect the lessee and lessor and protect the town from potential suits.

Although there are no codes preventing the homeowner from using their property as a B&B or even a short term (maximum 30 days) rental, it would be a great service to have these locations available on line. Neighbors are entitled to know their “neighbors”, particularly during these times when overseas travel generally requires a passport check at hotels. It would only be fair that the taxpayer in this town have some knowledge of the happenings in their neighborhood and it would also give prospective homeowners seeking neighborhoods with known populations.

Tourism is one of Rhode Island’s largest, most profitable industries and Tiverton, as a waterfront community, should aim to take advantage of the opportunity for its potential in economic growth. During my six year tenure as Tiverton’s representative to Discover Newport, the regional tourism board, I became more aware of our economic potential in the assets we are not fully utilizing.

We have historic sites that would profit from signage. Fort Barton, a major site in America’s quest for independence, could be enhanced with historical explanation signs. The view from the outlook is magnificent, the site is handicapped accessible. Why not install a binocular station?

We need to enhance Fogland Beach. It is a windsurfing destination along the U.S. East Coast and should be marketed. Grinnell’s is at the finishing stage and can be the anchor for spin-off summer venues attracting business traffic to Tiverton. Coastal Roasters, a few steps away, is already a well-known attraction. It can be the anchor for a vibrant economic coastal community. We should aim to enhance the area so that we have that critical attraction mass of sites.

This council should do its upmost to create a line budget item for some improvements such as effective signage, streetscape improvements to be energetically implemented in a planned fashion. The increased spending in local restaurants and general business would soon return this expense with interest.

The newly refurbished Stone Bridge Abutment should be the focus and anchor for a newly energized economic future for Tiverton. It is after all the original active historic economic center of Tiverton.

Hiking, with or without dogs, is becoming a fast growing recreational activity and Tiverton has an outstanding selection of these locations such as Weetamoo Woods, the Pardon Gray Preserve and the ever-popular Fort Barton … and who can overlook other spectacular locations along our shores?

Temporary, as well as permanent, sanitary facilities would greatly enhance the quality of the visits.

Over the course of many past years, outstanding leaders and citizens have contributed many positive thoughts relative to the development of Tiverton. They should be invited to join a volunteer board of advisors, and our current boards and commissions should be kept informed on an ongoing basis in order to more effectively act on their mandate.

Further monies could be acquired through grants. A grants writer would be a welcome addition to our employee roster. Since grant applications generally require some matching funds we should make available an account that would provide these. Boards and commissions would be able to accomplish some of the goals they were appointed to fulfill.

Above all, we need to keep an open mind to everyone’s needs and goals, and be supportive of their efforts. We all see things differently, but must cobble various ideas together for the benefit of the town of Tiverton.

Barbara Pelletier

Tiverton volunteer

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