BY SUSAN WARE

A standing-room-only crowd gave Candia selectmen resounding approval to proceed in looking for a developer to buy a town-owned parcel of land off Route 101’s Exit 3 and develop it.

“This property is not up for sale yet. We can’t even begin to think about putting this project out to bid until you people decide,” said Selectman Joe Duarte who is heading the exploratory committee.

The land in question is actually three parcels. Voters have already given selectmen the authority to sell the main piece – a 9.5-acre lot.

Two other lots – one is .96 acres and the other 2.5 acres – need voter approval before they can be sold. The .96-acre lot needs to be included in the sale because it offers a curb cut.

Only a handful of residents at the July 16 forum, held in the Henry Moore Elementary School gym, spoke in opposition to the development of the parcels, at least right now. A few suggested quaint shops and professional offices in keeping with Candia’s rural character, rather than a supermarket and pharmacy.

“I’m against the development. I chose to live here because Candia doesn’t look like anywhere else. Let’s not homogenize this town. Let’s put our heads together and think outside the box,” said Ed Hotchkins.

Many of the dissenters pointed to neighboring Hooksett, Raymond and Epping as poor examples of commercial growth gone awry.

“No one can tell us what services will cost to support this development. Look at Epping. Their taxes have gone way up,” said Carla Penfield.

Betsy Kruse implored residents to look at the big picture.

“We need to resist the temptation to rush a decision. We are not so financially strapped that we need to get this done.

Remember, whatever we do here will set the expectation of everything else that is proposed in town. Let’s be a model of balance between natural green and financial green,” she said.

While the town may not be desperate for the increased cash flow, many residents are.

“I costs me at least a gallon of gas to run anywhere. We are rural, but let’s not let progress pass us by,” said Charles Dennis.

Jennifer Haggett agreed.

“We all have to travel quite a bit to get groceries and the things we need. And God forbid you forget something. You are either back in the car or at the local convenience store paying an arm and a leg for a loaf of bread,” she said.

Resident Bill Britton used sarcasm to illustrate his point.

“I’m opposed because it will ruin the aesthetics of the town. It is much better to keep looking at that sand pit and old-run down Getty station. We are much better off spending hundreds of thousands of dollars buying up vacant lots and giving them to the Conservation Commission, making it impossible for my 10- and 12-year-old to eventually buy a home in the town they grew up in,” he said. The crowd roared in approval.

Many supporters who spoke pointed to a serious need for part-time jobs for senior citizens and teenagers in town.

“My sons, 18 and 20, have to travel out of town to find a job. Their friends are all in the same situation. Let’s brings jobs to Candia,” said Marsha Marcotte.

At times the forum became heated. Duarte asked speakers to only discuss the possible development of Exit 3 and repeatedly the board was asked if the board had made a deal yet.

“We are asking you here tonight what you want us to do with this property,” Duarte said.
But not everyone thought it was that simple.

“You are trying to ram this thing down our throats. You are here trying to sell us a supermarket,” said Dan Jaskolka.

After an hour and a half, Duarte called for two more comments and took a vote. Duarte asked the audience who
wanted the land off of Exit 3 sold for development and three quarters of the room, including the entire board of selectmen, stood up.

After the meeting, Duarte said that there would likely be another meeting on the Exit 3 development in three weeks.