Endrun to thwart development

     It is most disturbing to read that Selectwoman and Chairman Julie Gilman is attempting to have the State declare Franklin Street part of the historic district.  The planning process is well underway for a developer to ultimately build a "pocket neighborhood".  By all accounts it would be a tasteful addition to downtown.  One of our town's well known real estate business owners and Planning Board member has stated publicly that there is a demand for downtown living quarters.
     Gilman is using as her argument that Franklin Street was used to build homes to "...house workers from the mills and little individual manufacturers that were along there."  Using that criteria one could say the entire Town of Exeter is an historic district as Native Americans likely set up fishing villages here.  There is nothing historic remaining on this street.
     It's time for being candid and showing some honesty.  Changing the rules in the middle of the game with a developer is costly for the developer and sends a negative signal to future developers and landowners who cannot be assured the rules won't be changed on them to thwart their plans.  If Gilman is successful in obtaining the State's approval the voters will have the final approval.  Speaking out at public comment at a Board of Selectman meeting would seem in order To curtail her ill advised efforts.  Town officials continue to throw out conflicting signals to future developers.  And taxpayers are on the hook for a newly hired Economic Development Director.  Where is the leadership that puts a stop to this monkey business by Boards and Commissions that pursue their own personal agenda?