DATE: Wednesday, October 29, 1997           TAG: 9710290633

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B9   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY LINDA McNATT, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: SMITHFIELD                        LENGTH:   50 lines

SMITHFIELD WINS OK TO GROW THROUGH ANNEXATION

State judges on Monday approved plans by this small town to expand its boundaries with 3.89 square miles of Isle of Wight County land.

A preliminary agreement between the town and the county to divide assets and share funds led to smooth approval, Town Manager Peter Stephenson said.

In addition, the annexation had been approved by the Commission on Local Government.

The annexation, which will swell Smithfield's population of about 5,500 people by only 352, takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1, 1998.

It includes areas to the south, east and west of town, including a planned, 450-unit subdivision that already is off the ground and a shopping center on Virginia Route 10.

Members of Smithfield's Town Council have long discussed annexation to increase the small town's tax base. Gross receipts next year in the annexed area should bring an estimated $324,500 into the town's coffers, Stephenson said.

Part of that comes from additional real estate taxes the new residents will have to pay Smithfield. County residents pay 73 cents per $100 of assessed value. Town residents pay an additional 23 cents, bringing their total real estate taxes to 96 cents per $100.

Residents of Waterford Oaks, off Route 10 across from the shopping center, aren't happy about that, Christina B. Tutterow, who lives on Huntington Way, said Tuesday.

``We moved from Hampton to Isle of Wight four years ago,'' said Tutterow, who also said that she and her husband signed a petition against the annexation. ``We'd rather stay in Isle of Wight. I don't see we'll gain much from this.''

New residents will gain a cheaper water rate. Smithfield already serves the area with water and sewer services. Customers outside of town are charged higher rates.

And they will get trash pickup and a quicker response time when it comes to police protection. The town plans to increase its 14-member police department by one new officer, Stephenson said.

The deal between the county and the town includes dividing ownership of water and sewer lines. Isle of Wight also will receive half of consumer utility taxes in the annexed area for the next 10 years, amounting to about $250,000.

In addition, the county will continue to reap the rewards of developments - proffers for things like schools and fire protection - that grow up in the annexed area.

In return, Smithfield has agreed not to go after additional county lands for 10 years. The annexation was approved by three state judges.

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