[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6142951,"mediaKeyId","5541442-fcdd9e49970780c0095a7aa995d55f1f","parentId",5541442,"title","Select board denies tax-exempt status for Beulah Fellowship, citing absence of qualifying use","audioSeconds",143,"startMs",6730000,"endMs",6873000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5541442-fcdd9e49970780c0095a7aa995d55f1f&start=6730&end=6873","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5541442-fcdd9e49970780c0095a7aa995d55f1f/thumbnail_6730000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6142951/Canterbury/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Select-board-denies-tax-exempt-status-for-Beulah-Fellowship-citing-absence-of-qualifying-use","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142951-6e5ef1e0d070c66f2612c85acf0354e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775280014&Signature=bfOq9fotVPhgSOsn~OOULjVNJHYD2eDGdspja~c66hSxu-h0jbx3oj3yFTPm4bnrlxMlF6pFCp6OGGHWP8U4D1VbSOXYGP5TmKwGXVDgL3dzFW9NeF3b0o817LPg7eZKac7zvvgngtSXphXH2G1ljtDA~PXK3t6cYqy8OSd~MKB6kK2BcAOwb5w~l0oK3z-t~OP7rNywa44GKdIu6iuF9Quk-wJyKDnf5sr9F7ujKqNUyAzJ2HRn6r03TiITfArluX4MhOMGYUz4IWJZNgMZND-1Rjo6l~2ZwxQXz41Z25ML8Q-0b0QXz7xPCXb1f1uTjJa9vamq923VXkrmnBn0Vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Canterbury NH","date","2025-08-04T19:48:24Z","article","The select board voted to deny a property-tax exemption request from Beulah Fellowship after town staff and inspectors concluded the property lacks the qualifying ongoing religious use required for exemption.

Town staff provided the board with a building inspector’s report and a staff memo noting the structures on the property are in poor condition and not in use for religious purposes. The board reviewed those materials and voted to deny the exemption request; the motion was seconded and the board approved the denial by voice vote.

Why it matters: Tax-exempt status is limited to properties in active religious, charitable or other qualifying use. The inspector’s report and staff review concluded that the Beulah Fellowship’s buildings are not currently being used for qualifying religious purposes and that the buildings are not suitable for occupancy without substantial work.

What happens next: The owner may appeal the board’s decision through the statutory appeal process available for property-tax exemptions. The board’s denial was formal; staff will notify the property owner of the outcome and supply the supporting inspection and staff reports.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Canterbury NH Board of Selectmen Meeting - 21 July 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After reviewing building and inspector reports and legal advice, the select board voted to deny the Beulah Fellowship’s request for tax-exempt status because the property lacks qualifying religious use and structures are in poor condition.","taxTitle","Canterbury, Merrimack County , New Hampshire","taxId",80536,"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},6142956,"Resident proposes foot-and-bike bridge to link town to neighboring pavilion and rail trail",334,3662000,3996000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5541442-fcdd9e49970780c0095a7aa995d55f1f&start=3662&end=3996","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5541442-fcdd9e49970780c0095a7aa995d55f1f/thumbnail_3662000.jpg","/articles/6142956/Canterbury/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Resident-proposes-foot-and-bike-bridge-to-link-town-to-neighboring-pavilion-and-rail-trail","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142956-73d7dbdca9f0ba6a1fc9ab88e2bcb019/orig.mp4?Expires=1775280014&Signature=gT5MTTL2quupVB1dUb7try5INJX0J0pgE1QG5D049SrXEpfOraLyTa7d5eW44aP~upE3I0lIza0koS2XchOZFeepAoLFVgpvLJc61j2QIMBL-JjIuKrVDDSslcth4gmX-dPD6oyxZcrlgmiDIwOwT8XJ-H32OsKDRcRxOjxIf7QwEwbHYFATccTZBnSZEqpXWvUjdfUXOY9R0IKaj73~ZPCNCa1PTiGVJzzm0HDn0lc7DaEzz4ghsjYv0HuHyp5GPuCTS5N~orj6MgBzfCkv8~5ova5q77h5on8wv9lzUngB0UNUv1Q1c4lwhGb5b8iz3I4j2wwBUqIi74eoyJIL-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A resident urged the select board to explore rebuilding a pedestrian and bicycle bridge across the river to connect Canterbury with a neighboring pavilion and a developing rail-trail project.

The resident said a pedestrian bridge would let cyclists and walkers reach downtown destinations without using a busy highway crossing and could tie into planned improvements on the other side of the river that include a pavilion and park upgrades. The board noted the neighboring community already has fundraising and engineering underway for a riverside pavilion and scenic overlook and suggested the resident contact that committee to discuss potential coordination.

Why it matters: Residents and the board said improved nonmotorized access could support recreation and local businesses and could be an economic asset if coordinated with the neighboring town’s rail-trail work. Board members cautioned the project would require coordination among towns, engineering review and significant fundraising; they noted that the old vehicular bridge had been removed years earlier because engineers found it unsafe.

Next steps: The board asked the resident to contact the neighboring committee and report back. Board members said any town-side work would need to fit with the neighbor’s engineering and schedule and that joint fundraising or grant-seeking would likely be necessary.","A resident urged the select board to explore rebuilding a pedestrian/bike bridge across the river to link Canterbury to a neighbor’s planned pavilion and an expanding rail-trail; board members said they would contact the neighboring committee to see whether a joint project could be considered.",{"_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},6142961,"New state ADU law changes local permitting; planning board to review pending application",92,4748000,4840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5541442-fcdd9e49970780c0095a7aa995d55f1f&start=4748&end=4840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5541442-fcdd9e49970780c0095a7aa995d55f1f/thumbnail_4748000.jpg","/articles/6142961/Canterbury/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/New-state-ADU-law-changes-local-permitting-planning-board-to-review-pending-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142961-4ca51fd5f3275bc3f945b5ffc66c8a88/orig.mp4?Expires=1775280014&Signature=hFARE18wyeVZYIxi2s6G~11omhAcVFx6eV6RlNDfc9TcydXhDEPK5gDw3TKRLXCB6vMNyktmd3zUtD4Ah55YaJizqNE8ufx1II1ldiVU8RF-JkKpvU7Xt7VapgY5TEDN5I~LLp82BKYvFXI47xxITJuWSAa7wPmYdXkLFBvjx4TkqYCcUeSJJ6jw9z5S5P1o6VxFLFkpEdKjLmUyn4L6mWXV5ruUEZIEN4hJ8PSJhHeKeY6Ezc-Yh5qTgd4GLDO~egwnMLF7cmeIU2da33BnjgnS6tY9TUmyvbGWmv7H-KY4Mx3idwwLU8Jgp5GVjlHoPI6Q~WVSUbEFZji~pEYJDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The select board reviewed the effect of a recently signed state law expanding rights for accessory dwelling units and advised staff and the planning board to proceed accordingly.

House Bill 577 allows attached and detached ADUs by right in many circumstances and removes some conditional-use or special-exception requirements, the board was told. Town staff consulted the New Hampshire Municipal Association and legal counsel and reported that a pending planning-board application seeking a conditional use is likely moot under the new law.

Why it matters: The change reduces the local permitting steps for some ADU projects but does not remove town authority over technical standards such as setbacks, septic compliance and other site-specific requirements. Town officials told the select board they will ensure applicants still meet state health and septic rules and local dimensional rules.

What the board asked staff to do: The planning board chair was told the issue should be put on the planning board’s agenda for its next meeting. Staff will clarify which pending applications are affected and inform applicants of the legal change.

Background: Town staff said state guidance and NHMA legal advice indicate towns may still regulate objective technical standards (setbacks, septic capacity, parking counts within limits) but cannot require conditional-use approval where the new statute applies. The planning board will consider how to adjust its procedures and staff guidance accordingly.","House Bill 577, signed by the governor, allows accessory dwelling units by right and removes some conditional-use requirements; the town's planning board will consider the effect on a pending application.",{"_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},6142966,"Canterbury police: no applicants; chief proposes living-step pay schedule to improve hiring",359,523000,882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5541442-fcdd9e49970780c0095a7aa995d55f1f&start=523&end=882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5541442-fcdd9e49970780c0095a7aa995d55f1f/thumbnail_523000.jpg","/articles/6142966/Canterbury/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Canterbury-police-no-applicants-chief-proposes-living-step-pay-schedule-to-improve-hiring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142966-3d1fd066ec1b544a7b584f2c9ae50cb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775280014&Signature=h4AzxrQ7GKOErmQkTapiHSn3sSWQ4aO1GvFkVrU1VOG-9noGdBXUgaCDY6LVj~0cR6E3LqueHGXz26hB7CI2GXr7vPkqOpytSl2GeQRsxpne-oWHiB4264BruSC39XrWK0Haz1RiPhjW66RFszMBzJu2MwZ1QExBnHrFLqx6oaR9p3flOa4PtoPkOU9Jd3yqCQgwiOqB-kKsQk28~efH1m4OiSCslN-7tUufLfNWrDFS08Sf-X2XUJ8h4BbusGqdTOqNlbaESpzomzKrlksqOs2KP4DRUofPaKDPNryR5z-qdG0IM7WQEgcHaqcqhVYZbVQzBR7~yNK06KR0NF83qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Canterbury’s police chief reported the department has received no applicants for current vacancies and laid out a multi-year pay-step proposal aimed at improving recruitment and retention, the select board heard.

The chief told the board he has discussed a living pay scale that automatically increases with cost of living to prevent the town’s pay from falling behind neighboring agencies. The proposal would create steps that move an officer from entry level through higher steps over a period of years; the chief said he planned to stretch the steps to 15 years so that increases accrue gradually.

Why it matters: The chief said neighboring agencies use similar step systems and that Canterbury has lost candidates to higher-paying nearby departments. The lack of applicants leaves the department at least one officer short, he said.

Budget and hours: The chief said next year’s budget request will not increase most lines except those outside department control; he added an overall pay-line increase of roughly 6.35 percent is expected for mandatory items. The chief also asked the select board to consider moving an existing part-time administrative position to 36 hours per week so that position becomes full time with benefits.

Next steps: The board asked for more detail ahead of budget season; the chief said he will provide step schedules and cost estimates for board review. The matter will be discussed again during budget deliberations.","Police chief told the select board the department has received no applicants for current openings and proposed implementing a step-based living pay scale and expanding one part-time position to 36 hours to aid recruitment and retention.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6142971,"Attorney opinion finds Shell Meeting House Road discontinued; town to review six other old roads",672,1819000,2491000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5541442-fcdd9e49970780c0095a7aa995d55f1f&start=1819&end=2491","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5541442-fcdd9e49970780c0095a7aa995d55f1f/thumbnail_1819000.jpg","/articles/6142971/Canterbury/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Attorney-opinion-finds-Shell-Meeting-House-Road-discontinued-town-to-review-six-other-old-roads","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142971-1e7107bd05f8247decd031782cf469f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775280014&Signature=Xga09Bh21n0E5ftmIRWq22JLmL1joT~Kkk83mmD7bTLG-N0gxYRuYJaB8sEte160zSIh5lQhjYqZdfwGLXS74fdJkotIcpLRIoeZEUM1NaXmDrkCIQBbTJizEHib43eq0sK265LIJqHaKpWwkzBqgHU7-FN5bPjHGr0MHvfCuV7UV2OpJs4nBkNikRwga2aqY-KsZBORAz~vp8p5XaNjO1fel6R6ogPom0Zq967lG0SZs~QyiLQ7F47jkF0PCCksOygP5EZaB22XzyK0jbNWmGvELVukKc0Br3M-yhc7n8xGZoL3hAEAOsPw2N5K0gl95Nq8NksbXIc0HNFk1N1Kfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Canterbury town staff moved on a legal opinion that Shell Meeting House Road is a discontinued town road and will review other suspected discontinued roads individually, the select board heard at its meeting. The board directed staff to compile the evidence the attorney relied on and to send a confirmation letter to the resident who filed the complaint.

The attorney’s analysis, provided to the board and discussed at the meeting, cites laws and records dating to 1928 and concludes Shell Meeting House Road was discontinued under the standards that applied at the time. Town staff said they will apply the same archival review to other roads that cross municipal lines and that lack clear evidence of formal adoption or of required court notification.

Why it matters: A discontinuance can alter the legal status of a road and, depending on how the road was originally formed, may affect whether the land under the roadway reverted to adjacent property owners. Board members and staff said some deeds and tax cards may not reflect the discontinuance, which could lead to title confusion if a property changes hands.

What the board will do next: Staff will prepare a packet of findings for each road under review, showing the dates and documentary evidence the attorney cited, and will return to the select board with recommendations. The board also agreed staff should send a written confirmation to the person who raised the Shell Meeting House question.

Board members and staff stressed the reviews will be done case by case. The board identified a short list of other roads for focused review, including roads that cross town boundaries and those for which the town’s records are sparse. The work will rely on archived maps and registry-of-deeds filings and could take weeks to complete.

Background: The town has no single, definitive public map showing the original layout method for every historic way; maps in town offices and county or regional sources sometimes differ. The select board said the review will include checking original layout documents, registry filings and the dates cited by the attorney.","Town staff will review historic records and dates after an attorney’s opinion that Shell Meeting House Road is a discontinued road, and will send written confirmation to the complainant; several other roads that cross town lines will be examined individually.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Select board denies tax-exempt status for Beulah Fellowship, citing absence of qualifying use

Resident proposes foot-and-bike bridge to link town to neighboring pavilion and rail trail

New state ADU law changes local permitting; planning board to review pending application

Canterbury police: no applicants; chief proposes living-step pay schedule to improve hiring

Attorney opinion finds Shell Meeting House Road discontinued; town to review six other old roads