Jeanie Forrester: Meredith Selectboard reviewing property tax abatements

The June 10 Meredith Selectboard meeting included a discussion of 2023 tax abatements, the Main Street Improvement Project, and a review of a draft job description for a new position in the Community Development Department.

It’s that time of the year when our tax assessor brings forward a list of property owners who filed abatements for their taxes. The number of applications for 2023 were more than usual. In the past few years, the town usually receives 10-20 applications. For 2023, there were 60 abatement requests. Those who attended some of the budget hearing meetings will recall residents expressing their concern about rising taxes. The 63% increase in assessed value in 2023, coupled with a decrease of only 30% in the tax rate, resulted in a significant increase in abatement applications. The assessor provided the board with a detailed assessment of each property and made his recommendation for approval or denial. He recommended 37 be approved and 23 be denied. The board will review the recommendations at their next meeting.

Next on the agenda was the Main Street Improvement Project. The town would like to improve the Main Street area to provide a safer and more attractive pedestrian-friendly environment for our residents and visitors. This project has been in the planning stages for many years prompting the selectboard to add funds to the Main Street Rehabilitation Expendable Trust Fund in anticipation of eventual implementation. Over the years, other projects took priority but the recent pedestrian fatality on Main Street and the completion of a Road Safety Audit by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation has brought this project to the forefront.

The town manager presented the board with a proposal from Vanasse Hangen Brustlin for professional services, specifically to provide planning and conceptual design services to Meredith for improvements to Main Street between Lower Ladd Hill Road to the end of Main Street at Daniel Webster Highway /Route 3. VHB will incorporate recommendations the Greater Meredith Program and the Road Safety Audit when considering alternatives and developing concepts. In addition to planning and conceptual design services, Phase I also includes researching grant opportunities to fund improvements, a utility study and public outreach. The Phase I cost of $157,227 will be funded through the Main Street Rehabilitation ETF which has a balance of $164,403.

The board also reviewed the town manager’s draft of a newly created position of assistant town planner. On the recommendation of a recent audit of the Community Development Department, staff was restructured, the Community Development Director’s position was eliminated, and an assistant planner position was created. Changes recommended to the town manager by the board will be reviewed prior to advertising for the position.

The selectboard always appreciates residents attending our meetings to add their opinions and support to projects planned for the community. At this meeting, Jim McFarlin, who is spearheading the fundraising activities for the Adaptive Launch Project at Leavitt Beach, advised the selectboard that the committee plans to create a recognition plaque for donors to the project. This is a unique and valuable project deserving of significant resident support. To learn more, visit meredithnh.org/parks-recreation/pages/adaptive-launch-leavitt-park. Donations can also be made directly to Meredith Parks and Recreation Department, Adaptive Launch Project, 1 Circle Drive, Meredith, NH 03253.

The next meeting of the Meredith Selectboard will be at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 24. Agenda items will include a discussion of PFAS and VHB will make a presentation on the Main Street Improvement project.

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Jeanie Forrester is vice chair of the Meredith Selectboard.