Public Site Walk
February 7, 2009 at 9:00am
6 Highland St., Newton, NH 03858 Map 11, Block 6, Lot 9
Present: Chairman Bob Donovan Jr., Selectman Trisha J. McCarthy, Selectman Raymond D. Thayer, Town Assessor Andrea Lewy and home owner, Sarah Hill.
Site walk was due to a request by home owner Sarah Hill for a Discretionary Preservation Easement per RSA 79-D, which would allow a tax relief to barn owners who, (a) can demonstrate the public benefit of preserving their barns or other historic farm buildings, and (b) agree to maintain their structures throughout a minimum 10-year preservation easement, keeping with its historic integrity and character during the term of the easement.
Eligibility for the program is as follows; “Historical agricultural structure” is defined as a barn or other structure including the land on which it is built, which was or is used for agricultural purposes and is at least 75 years old. The test of demonstrated public benefit is met if the structure complies with one or more of the following:
1. It provides scenic enjoyment to the general public from a public road or waterway
2. It is historically important on a local, regional, state or national level, or
3. It contributes to the historic or cultural integrity of a property listed on or eligible for the New Hampshire State or National Registers of Historic Places, or is in a locally designated historic district.
A tour of the property started with the building referred to as the “sausage house”. The property has been renovated to include living space with a kitchen, living room, bath, bow window, and an ell section in the rear as well as a deck and patio. Renovations on exterior include skylights in roof. Rear of “sausage house has slider. Alterations to the “sausage house” include drywall, flooring and heating.
It was noted that no alterations had been done to the interior of the barn. It could possibly be used for livestock or some other type of agricultural use, although none was observed at this time. The owner also pointed out that she had installed vinyl siding to the upper portion of the front of the barn.
The home owner was thanked for inviting us to preview her property. The Selectmen will take her request for a Discretionary Preservation Easement, under advisement. It was decided that the Selectmen will look into the matter further and discuss the request for a Discretionary Preservation Easement at the next Selectmen’s Meeting on Feb. 17, 2009.
Meeting adjourned at 9:45am
Respectfully submitted,
Trisha McCarthy, Selectmen
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