Central to the meeting was a discussion on economic development, led by a presentation that highlighted the challenges Acushnet faces in fostering business growth. The town’s economic landscape has seen minimal change, with a portion of the tax burden—around 85%—resting on residents. To address this, the board considered several strategies aimed at diversifying the tax base, such as encouraging local shopping and revitalizing Main Street. The board discussed the potential benefits of amending zoning regulations, particularly to expand the village business district and remove ambiguities that may hinder development.

A specific proposal involved expanding the village business district from South Main Street to Leonard Street to create a more business-friendly atmosphere. The board recognized that 95% of Acushnet is currently zoned for residential use, a factor that limits commercial opportunities. To facilitate economic growth, the board explored the idea of zoning changes that would support various retail and commercial ventures. The members agreed that such changes could lead to a more resilient local economy by alleviating financial pressures on residents.

The board also considered the development of a business development and permitting guide, aimed at simplifying the process for potential business owners. A model guide from Mansfield was presented, including key contacts, steps to opening a business, and zoning applications. The members concurred that a well-organized guide would benefit residents by providing clear steps and reducing confusion often caused by varying information from different town officials.

In another discussion, the board addressed the challenges of attracting retail, commercial, and industrial development in Acushnet. The town’s lack of robust road infrastructure was identified as a major impediment to attracting business. Retail developers typically seek locations with high traffic counts, and Acushnet’s current road system does not support major retail chains. The board expressed concerns about the feasibility of large-scale retail developments due to the limited road infrastructure but suggested enhancing commercial opportunities along existing roads. Small businesses like dog groomers or restaurants could be allowed to operate in more areas, and mixed-use developments could combine small storefronts with residential apartments above them.

Zoning regulations emerged as a focal point, with a suggestion to alter laws to facilitate various retail and commercial ventures. The board recognized that while sewer capacity constrains many developments, pursuing grants to improve infrastructure, such as extending sewer lines, could support commercial growth. The financial burden on residents due to high taxes was acknowledged, and the board discussed the need to alleviate this through a more robust tax base generated by new business development. Simplifying the permit process for smaller businesses was proposed as a way to encourage development, with the idea of creating a threshold exempting smaller businesses from the special permit requirement.

Parking requirements for commercial operations were also examined, with the board noting that parking takes up an amount of land. The need to rethink these requirements, especially in areas with limited space, was highlighted as a way to support new developments. Traffic counts on major streets were suggested to identify potential sites for retail development, although difficulties in developing certain roads due to safety and accessibility concerns were acknowledged.