[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6212996,"mediaKeyId","3682681-ad50ed839f31b41e64c0c92c6c0fdd20","parentId",3682681,"title","Contract assessor urges delay on five hangar abatements, explains abatement timeline","audioSeconds",2638,"startMs",4313000,"endMs",6951000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3682681-ad50ed839f31b41e64c0c92c6c0fdd20&start=4313&end=6951","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3682681-ad50ed839f31b41e64c0c92c6c0fdd20/thumbnail_4313000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6212996/West-Swanzey/Cheshire-County/New-Hampshire/Contract-assessor-urges-delay-on-five-hangar-abatements-explains-abatement-timeline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212996-aa56287d540646533b73e6686a0db5f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775464657&Signature=J1ib6rtZAZQo5SKjvjEpVtFBSEe35uI99zbuP96~n9Ry00VuSh7k9oofHTKtz1uz5A70Rj5o~I~zcS9V~SAyElDYLrLjLCV0MM~merAAazf0J76n-Nt2u42EFAdemMkTzjB4nLhvzwaUWowmbe2ANkuKMNvP70jOp1Ujr2wEeJIb40LTBTAQyxJrEOJV~A5P587AVExwmLqJI4ARJed-eg3dl0FcmVr-9s3sdmJEyMdk-w0y3VNVuvP~o97yF5mvVlkSqaw7ufPaRrJsWFOMBeCuxgK5UYnFFpzcb3VeUp2P12XPTxxtdiD87udEDV3ANsRGQkmsEioexdsrPp2E0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of West Swanzey NH","date","2025-06-05T16:58:26Z","article","Contract assessor Dave Marasoff briefed the select board on the abatement and appeal process, including filing deadlines and the town’s duties in reviewing requests, and recommended the board postpone action on a set of abatement requests tied to airport hangars until the town receives complete documentation and authorization from the property owner.

Marasoff explained that the town issues two tax bills each year (an initial estimate and a definitive second bill) and that abatement requests generally must be filed by March 1, or within 60 days if bills were issued late. He said the town has until July 1 to respond to an abatement request under the applicable state statute as described in the meeting: “The town has until July 1 to answer,” Marasoff said. He outlined three common categories of abatements—physical-description errors, damage during the tax year, and valuation-opinion differences—and described the evidence the assessor seeks when investigating claims.

On the hexagon-hangar abatements, Marasoff said five related parcels were filed by a party that leases hangars from the city of Keene; the town’s property cards list the city of Keene as owner. He recommended the board request proper authorization or a complete application packet before taking action and suggested deferring these files to the next meeting. The board agreed to hold the items and asked staff and the assessor to request the outstanding lease and supporting documentation from the applicants or the city of Keene.

Why this matters: abatement decisions change individual taxpayers’ liabilities and can be appealed to the State Board of Tax and Land Appeals or superior court; the assessor urged a careful, document-based review to ensure decisions are defendable if appealed.

Follow-up: the assessor said he will draft a letter requesting complete documentation and the authorization needed to act on behalf of the property owner and will return with a recommendation at the next select-board meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Swanzey Select Board: April 16th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Contract assessor Dave Marasoff reviewed the town abatement and appeal process—deadlines, grounds for relief and appeal options—and recommended delaying decisions on five abatement requests for hexagon hangars leased from the city of Keene until full documentation and lease authorization are provided.","taxTitle","West Swanzey, Cheshire County, New Hampshire","taxId",75717,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6213001,"Sewer plant solar array and phosphorus pilot move forward; Swansea Lake dam engineers sought",128,3631000,3759000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3682681-ad50ed839f31b41e64c0c92c6c0fdd20&start=3631&end=3759","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3682681-ad50ed839f31b41e64c0c92c6c0fdd20/thumbnail_3631000.jpg","/articles/6213001/West-Swanzey/Cheshire-County/New-Hampshire/Sewer-plant-solar-array-and-phosphorus-pilot-move-forward-Swansea-Lake-dam-engineers-sought","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213001-dca8884e6b9157df31a7eb34e0003dc8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775464657&Signature=N8zw4J2xZafKJLvpf77bALZLgkP8MxK5X~c5h2ZAvDOMTv7Ck0wNM8KJ1ZAdGCeo7Xv4nc6AWc0eX3nu7aOW7A-BEjhcElMsTZVDe80kpwVGmMomXwCshk2mdXZV7Wami266Liyk26xigjZKiySPj9WmMb-pZ~NiH3D~LyfPx5tdDxCCRMtaugtL0bMUYjtDJiJcHAl65~1QsGPhiOBVDeIUm6FTCNcbAQhookSfXs~SkhmrJTKTJDg6EkLCQL9X7DRDI8PZl2sENT9BxklOFMNTzksRWcUlhQb~lMJBFm1N1klIaXgHx7toKenV~lDRHH-bDjr82YLqJ0gwRBSHfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff told the board a solar array at the wastewater treatment plant is in final approval with the project expected to break ground in early May, and they described an engineering pilot at the plant to trial a different chemical aimed at reducing phosphorus discharges.

The pilot plan is part of an engineering grant and staff said they are finalizing orders for the chemicals and expect the pilot to be operational shortly. Separately, the Swansea Lake Dam has received letters of deficiency from state inspectors; staff issued a request for qualifications and have received seven engineering submissions. The next step is to interview and select an engineer to design corrective work after the engineer selection and funding source are determined.

Staff emphasized there is no design yet and no construction schedule for the dam; the immediate work is limited to selecting an engineer and identifying funding. The goal for the solar array and pilot is to proceed quickly, with solar construction slated to start in early May if final approvals are completed.

Why this matters: wastewater plant upgrades and dam repairs affect regulatory compliance, environmental performance and long-term infrastructure costs. The town’s selection of an engineer will determine the timing and scope of any corrective work for the dam.","Town staff reported a solar array at the wastewater plant should break ground in early May, a phosphorus-treatment pilot is imminent, and the town issued an RFP to select an engineer to address state-identified deficiencies at Swansea Lake Dam.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6213006,"Board approves $1.3 million road-rehab contract; Railroad Street sidewalk and West Swanzey paving planned",257,3337000,3594000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3682681-ad50ed839f31b41e64c0c92c6c0fdd20&start=3337&end=3594","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3682681-ad50ed839f31b41e64c0c92c6c0fdd20/thumbnail_3337000.jpg","/articles/6213006/West-Swanzey/Cheshire-County/New-Hampshire/Board-approves-13-million-road-rehab-contract-Railroad-Street-sidewalk-and-West-Swanzey-paving-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213006-4a53fb025b6d1dec70eeb4f0d59463ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1775464657&Signature=T3ujS4VVSnNqx~Dx0E~EGWQKfhZKJTbO~t9K2euL~qxKwQ5ebM41rN1bz4qD7g73aktl8B85Co1p9oVfNb63OjuE-M3G~NHH6rmv8KKPjEcHHmm1xsnblxaQX7jYTIbY6EAMVUWjUr2sviWv3i1kOJ522GO629IEqOSMHxglxt6Od5BU4XoZXogHi24dhpfHpl1HOX9tV6qxyXGEOaeSaEq~iSZqKIliawu7fha4~2XStWdt34qr~168dFotRWFYdCk-XoorZ4bGD7Hb450rfO-v8a4Y-AbzYgBphXeZGahHO-f8LQl2XAzfE4cUYjQs1ISuNSmGmTavEjhua0T1zA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The select board authorized DPW Director Peruso to sign a $1,299,985 contract with Jay Evans Construction for road rehabilitation work, with the motion seconded and approved by voice vote.

Meeting materials identified Jay Evans Construction of [location stated in packet] as the low bidder at $1,299,985; other bidders named in the packet included Mount Mosheeda, Underwood Construction and JM Construction. The motion instructed DPW staff to execute the contract and apply multiple funding sources: a road-rehab extended trust fund, sidewalk committee funds and state SRF (drinking/wastewater infrastructure) funds. The transcript included a reference to $401,100 already allocated for road rehab and what was pronounced as another “hundred and $50” for the sidewalk committee; the transcript did not make the exact second amount explicit.

Peruso described related sidewalk and paving plans: a five-foot concrete Railroad Street sidewalk will extend near the Pine Street intersection and cross toward Summer Street; Jay Evans agreed to honor the same unit prices for sidewalk concrete work. The plan calls for DPW to do site work and the contractor to pour concrete. The board also reviewed a proposal to remove and replace a deteriorated concrete sidewalk on West Street (West Swanzey area per planning notes), install catch basins and improve drainage; staff said they will seek an easement from a nearby landscape-supply property to discharge the new catch basins to an existing detention area.

The board discussed an RFP for this year’s paving program; streets listed for the upcoming paving work include Forest Avenue, Prospect Street and West Street (West Swanzey area). Staff said weather and material availability are factors but anticipated on-site prep and grading to finish in time for spring paving work.

Why this matters: the approved contract and accompanying sidewalk and drainage work address failing road surfaces and pedestrian access in town neighborhoods and will use a mix of local trust funds and state funds to reduce immediate local budget impact.","The select board authorized a $1,299,985 contract for road rehab with Jay Evans Construction, earmarked partially to local trust and sidewalk funds, and discussed concrete sidewalk work on Railroad Street and drainage and paving work including West Swanzey.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6213011,"Select board reviews 30-year bond option as fire station construction advances",1359,1409000,2768000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3682681-ad50ed839f31b41e64c0c92c6c0fdd20&start=1409&end=2768","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3682681-ad50ed839f31b41e64c0c92c6c0fdd20/thumbnail_1409000.jpg","/articles/6213011/West-Swanzey/Cheshire-County/New-Hampshire/Select-board-reviews-30-year-bond-option-as-fire-station-construction-advances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213011-a2b485729c3e36ea2711957d5ebd5a80/orig.mp4?Expires=1775464657&Signature=f0WWvEGx96~MEWlR9nb2pU-Y9ZS4~5K5I8RNmBdu0pU5aOJCo2NDXUr3bKyb2j1cCoVyiYnMlUL~TXDoZmc1Jwqg7qi-tJhxM5v~XMKqZXfDD7A7FNyS3ttDLwzCgTZMIapqWGVU~8e9GmNnXPLdCOiQSAySS05jAGT0rMkMVniCULya~RKbyL988X9WjEUQ~vec-SVgiN1mR8KF~naCjSiLsuVPn0BXh6ujQD8LS6hqJA28TRo0oEIhWTvtrIeK3nxwuRaQD-YP8~iB5Fb6EjT4unB-eHPimBEtqb-veQq-q8NwZLLm-PqWoXDyTO9UoahngLG1B7~ZV1Jj~WHrTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Select board members discussed whether to file a New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank application for $2.5 million to partially fund a new fire station at 321 Homestead Highway and heard a construction update showing site work and early procurement steps are under way.

The bond adviser who presented the financing options outlined 20-, 25- and 30-year terms and said current market spreads between a 20- and 30-year bond were unusually small (about 17 basis points), a factor that led the presenter to recommend the 30-year term. The adviser also described the bond bank’s sales schedule and a final-change deadline the board would need to meet to fix rates for the bond sale. “I filled it out with 30 years. It can go in with 30 years, and we can change it,” the presenter said during the discussion.

On construction, staff reported the project began March 31, 2025; erosion-control work and topsoil stripping are complete and test borings and other geotechnical work are scheduled. Bids for a general contractor were due April 28, 2025, the update said, and the construction manager-request-for-proposal process was authorized. Staff noted a pending permitting item identified as “FHA” approval and said they expect to obtain that clearance without delay. Per the update, the target remains to remove fire apparatus from town hall by November, barring unforeseen delays.

The board was presented a motion “to authorize the board chair to sign the New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank application for a bond of $2,500,000 to partially fund the construction of the new fire station at 321 Homestead Highway.” The motion was put on the floor; a vote is not recorded in the available transcript.

Why this matters: the term chosen and the timing of the bond sale will affect the town’s annual debt service and how the fire-station cost is shared across taxpayers. Board members and staff said they would continue to monitor the bond market and could change the application before the bond-bank deadline if market conditions moved materially.

The project update and the financing conversation were presented as linked items: one addresses how the town will pay for the station and the other outlines the near-term construction steps and permitting milestones. Staff said they will return with finalized bids and a recommendation for the construction contract and will alert the board promptly if bond-market movement requires a change of approach.","The Swansea select board reviewed a New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank application to help fund a new fire station and received a construction update: bids are due, site work has begun and permitting tasks remain.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Contract assessor urges delay on five hangar abatements, explains abatement timeline

Sewer plant solar array and phosphorus pilot move forward; Swansea Lake dam engineers sought

Board approves $1.3 million road-rehab contract; Railroad Street sidewalk and West Swanzey paving planned

Select board reviews 30-year bond option as fire station construction advances