DOVER- On Monday, members of the Dover Economic Development Committee met with the Dover Planning Commission to discuss common goals and how the DEDC can help the planning commission meet their goals as put forth in the town plan. Most of all, the DEDC wanted to let the planning commission know that the DEDC serves as an economic conduit to the planning commission.

DEDC members Lisa Coneeny and Magnus Thorsson told the planning commission that the one-percent option tax would benefit the goals of the town plan. The planning commission did not endorse the one-percent option tax per se, however they are willing to support the DEDC in their efforts.

Coneeny and Thorsson argued that the planning commission can’t implement town plan changes due to lack of available funds. Coneeny and Thorsson said the one-percent option tax is the funding vehicle to see through the changes that have never been completed. “The DEDC’s priorities seem to dovetail with the planning commission,” said DEDC member Lisa Coneeny. “The town plan is a road map and the DEDC is the vehicle.”

The last revision to the town plan occurred five years ago. The planning commission began the process last fall and changes are still ongoing. One of the planning commission’s goals is to make the town plan compatible with economic development. Changing the zoning bylaws for business, improving pedestrian safety, real estate development, and hiking trails are some of the issues the planning commission is working on. Coneeny and Thorsson said making those changes will help foster economic development in Dover and the DEDC can finance the necessary changes.

“We have up to 1,300 acres that are wind tested. We can lease them to energy companies, get a tax break, and sell energy to the grid. The DEDC could help fund that,” said Thorsson.

Thorsson added the town has been trying to get the Valley Trail completed for years, but the project has been held back by several factors, most notably stalled property acquisitions and bylaws changes. Thorsson said the DEDC would assist the planning commission in making the necessary changes to support Dover tourism.

“The planning commission has never had funding and none of their plans could be fulfilled,” said Thorsson. “Now we have this funding source to realize some of the wishes of the planning commission.”

Planning commission chair Nicholas Wallaert agreed that the planning commission and the DEDC share some commonalities. As a citizen, Wallaert said he understood that many of the changes in the town plan will cost money and the one-percent option may be the proper way to fund them. “Nothing gets done because we have no money. The only way is the one-percent option,” said Wallaert. “It’s either that, or we go to the property taxes.”

On Town Meeting day, citizens will vote on article two, which asks if the voters of Dover should “spend the revenue from the one-percent local option tax as follows: 50% of all revenue previously collected and still in the account as of June 30, 2009 and 50% of all revenue collected in the future be used to reduce the annual Town and/or Highway Taxes. The remaining 50% shall remain in the account set aside for the Dover Economic Development Committee.”

Some Dover residents believe the tax is not giving taxpayers the return on investment they hoped for. At the January 6 selectboard meeting, Dick Kaufman presented a petition to include the article on the Town Meeting warning. The selectboard approved the article but selectboard members remain divided whether to change the allocation of revenue. The one-percent local option tax passed by a slim 16-vote margin at the 2007 Town Meeting.

Thorsson requested that the planning commission explain the town plan to the voters on Town Meeting day, as well as how the one-percent option tax will benefit the town. “We have a town plan and so far we’ve not been able to bring any of the issues to light. None of it has been done. The one percent is the funding source that has the potential to be realized,” said Thorsson.

The planning commission is an advisory committee and could not make a formal decision. Selectboard chair Linda Holland, who was present at Monday’s meeting, gave approval for the planning commission to speak on behalf of the town plan. The planning commission members agreed to speak at Town Meeting.