N.H. Current Use law to be explained at free program in Barnstead on March 22

A workshop on Current Use will be held on Monday, March 22, at the Barnstead Town Hall in Center Barnstead at 6 p.m. The presenter will be Andrew Fast, extension educator, Forest Resources. He will explain the state's Current Use Assessment Law.

The Current Use Assessment Law provides an opportunity to keep land in open space by assessing land

based on its present land-use rather that its fair market value at highest and best use. Over one-million acres of land in New Hampshire are enrolled in current use.

Landowner participation in the program is voluntary, with applications submitted to town officials by April 15.

Qualifying landowners can reduce their property taxes. However, the enrolled land is subject to a penalty if the

land-use changes or otherwise fails to meet the established criteria.

Fast will explain how the law works,

eligibility, application procedures and the different land-use categories including: farm land, forest land,

wetland, and unproductive land. In addition, the recreational adjustment and the rules for the “stewardship”

category will be discussed.

Call the Belknap County Cooperative Extension office at 527-5475 to register or for additional information or

special needs requests. The program is without charge.