Now I'm not familiar with this project but I am familiar with tax stabilization and, if used properly, it can be an economic driver. I do know Poultney well as I grew up just outside of it and my dad had/has (moved the office to his house) a business there for 45 years. They were also one of our sports rivals and two of my high school girlfriends went there. When I grew up (80s) Poultney was a nice college/working class town. The slate mills were making money as were the farmers. That time has past, much like granite in Barre and marble in Proctor. What needs to happen is some sort of injection of money, quality, marketing, etc. - basically a coordinated effort by the community with an eye on what change can happen, what is good for the town, what is realistic and then a plan to implement. It's a shame that the Town of Poultney didn't buy the college as they could then control what happened to different buildings/sections of the campus but I'm guessing there was no stomach for the kind of debt they would be taking on. All that said, good luck whatever way the town goes as it would be nice to see such a pretty town grow.

Last point. When the Select Board or Selectboard (different towns spell it differently) goes into Executive Session, they need to be specific and transparent - there are rules. Whether this youngster is accurate in his assessment that nefarious dealing are afoot, it's my opinion that raging against the machine, as it were, will garner less votes than calm, political discourse. Poultney's an old town - WAY older than I was around - and old people vote. Best for him to put on a tie and go door to door touting his positions.