BREAKING NEWS- Now appears on opening page. To be moved here in near future.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS OF INTEREST:

If your town would like to host a current use workshop, please contact Donna Robie at 603-224-3306 or email to donna@nhspace.org.

CUB FORUMS FOR 2008:

Purusant to RSA 79-A:3, III, the Current Use Board will be holding annual public forums at the following times and locations to receive comments from the public on any concerns related to current use on the following issues:

Proposed 2009/2010 rates and administrative rule changes:

New forestland model and data being used to determine rates

Possible new study on hay and corn to determine new agricultures rates

Changes to CUB rule 307.02 & 307.03 being proposed - regarding when LUCT tax is assessed on developments.

Possible CUB forum quorum changes

There will be three public CUB forums this fall.

OCTOBER 14,2008 at Hanover Street School - 193 Hanover St, Lebanon, NH Time: 6:00 p.m.

OCTOBER 23,2008 at North Country Resource Center - 629B Main Street- Lancaster, NH time: 6:00 p.m.

NOVEMBER 6, 2008- at NH Dept of Revenue Administration - 57 Regional Drive, Concord, NH Time: 9:00 a.m.

This is your time to show your support for current use and to address specific issues you may be having, such as fencing issues, etc.

Red maple trees are going to be considered "all other" in the future, so if you have a large parcel of red maple currently being listed and assessed as hardwood , you may wish to recategorize them. The "All Other" rates are lower than the proposed hardwood rates.

SPACE has been receiving alot of calls and emails regarding the fencing issue which is not clearly defined in the CUB rules. If you would like to make a change or get a clarification on fencing, and how it varies from town to town (some keep in open space,others remove), than these forums are the prime time to address your concerns.

Changes to 307.02 and 307.03 - could impact owners/towns who wish to develop their current use property. CUB is proposing to change how and when LUCT is assessed on development parcels. Previously, one could keep any open space (as long as it still had the required 10 acre minimum), within a development plan in current use until such time that it fell below the 10 acres. CUB is now proposing that once any physical change begins, all land included within the development plan must come out of current use and be assessed the 10% LUCT penalty.

OTHER UPCOMING CUB MEETINGS:

November 6, 2008 at 1:00 a.m. at NH Dept of Revenue Administration Training Room-57 Regional Dr- Concord, NH

If you have any questions or want to confirm meetings, please call Dawn Wirkkala at (603) 271-2687, CUB/clerk

FUNDRAISING EVENTS:

Every contribution helps us protect current use. Our 2008 contributions are down 20% from last year. Part of this we realize is due to the ecomony. This is one of the many reasons why current use and its tax savings is so valuable and has allowed many landowners to hold on to their properties. In order to protect the current use law and future attempts to change its benefits, we urge you to give $5, $10.00... if you have never contributed. These contributions allow SPACE to keep you informed of any pending changes, as well as educate those who do not own current use land and those who are always trying to appeal it. SPACE has been the guardian of this program for over thirty-five years. Think of the tax savings this current use law has provided during that time. Your support is greatly needed at this time and appreciated.

Eastern Mountain Sports will be allowing SPACE to fundraise on Saturday, October 18th, 2008. More details to follow with exact dates and times. When you attend this fundraiser, for a minimum $10.00 contribution to SPACE, you will receive a discount of 20% off your total purchase the day of the event.

LOOKING FOR ADVERTISERS :

SPACE publishes two annual newsletters and is always looking for advertisers to defray some of the cost of publication. Circulation is now over 35,000. Our paper costs have increased by 25% over the past year and any extra revenue we can generate by placing your ad (for a $200.00 fee per edition) would help tremendously.

The next edition is scheduled to be released in early January 2009.

BUSINESSES: Challenge to our Current-Use Business owners...

There are many business owners who own land in current use and we need your help this year. Many times it is overlooked that the land surrounding your existing business is placed in current use with a tax savings to your business until further growth or expanison. Won't you please consider sending SPACE a donation? Business donations are tax deductible, but as always, please check with your IRS professional.

Donations can be sent to:

SPACE- NH Current Use Coalition

54 Portsmouth Street

Concord, NH 03301

Donations $100.00 and Above will be posted on our new "100+ above Club" section on this website.

SPACE is looking into opening a gateway account which will allow current use landowners to use a major credit card in lieu of sending a check or cash donation. The gateway account will be set up in the new future.

THIRD APPEAL for 2008: In the next few weeks some of you will be receiving a final appeal letter to make a contribution to SPACE for fiscal year 2008. We are down 20% this year from last year and your support is needed now more than ever. Please won't you make an annual contribution?

2008 LEGISLATION STILL ON THE TABLE:

HB-445: Bill proposed to remove the requirement for towns and cities to apply the equalization ratio to current use assessments each year. This provision has been in the Current Use law since its inception. The constitution requires that all lands are assessed equally. As of February 2008: The House Municipal and County Government Committee voted 15-1 to place in Interim Study.

To keep updated on any legislation which could affect current use or any other issues of interest, you can log onto the ww.nh.gov website. Select topic of your choice. When asked to perform a search on the bills above or any other topics (HB or SB bill), the docket, the text and its most current status will appear. If you would like to attend a public session, you can access this information on their calendars. The calendars are updated weekly.

This page was updated: August 28, 2008