Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Heritage Neighborhood 79e topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hooksett EDAC discusses village 'heritage neighborhood' and 79‑E tax exemption outreach
Summary
Members of the Hooksett Economic Development Advisory Committee discussed a proposed heritage neighborhood in the village and ways to increase resident uptake of the state RSA 79‑E tax‑exemption program, and agreed to pursue targeted outreach and education.
The Hooksett Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) discussed plans to define a smaller, locally driven “heritage neighborhood” in the village and stepped up outreach about the state RSA 79‑E property tax exemption for rehabilitation during its meeting.
The conversation focused on educating village residents about the existing 79‑E rehabilitation exemption, which EDAC members said is underused in Hooksett. Grant (staff) summarized the eligibility criterion as “the rehabilitation costs ... has to be at least 15% of the building’s pre‑rehab assessed value or $75,000, whichever is less.” Lisa Lally, a newly introduced EDAC member and local realtor, described practical outreach steps and offered to help connect owners to local lenders.
Why it matters: the 79‑E exemption can delay increases in property taxes for owners who invest in qualifying rehabilitation work, and EDAC members said clearer information could increase participation in the program and reduce blight in the traditional village area.
EDAC members debated whether to change the boundary of the town’s village definition before promoting 79‑E. Several members favored narrowing the village boundary so outreach targets the properties most likely to qualify; others emphasized that the 79‑E district and a heritage neighborhood are separate tools and can proceed in parallel. Committee members suggested in‑person meetings in the neighborhood and an informational mailer or web page explaining how 79‑E works and who qualifies.
Committee members also discussed lowering the perceived financial threshold for participation. Tony and others noted that the $75,000 figure often quoted as a practical threshold comes from that 15% or $75,000 rule; EDAC members observed that on some multifamily properties federal tax incentives (for example, bonus depreciation for certain business investments) can make rehabilitation more attractive in the near term.
EDAC agreed on an outreach plan that mixes direct invitations to properties in the existing revitalization zone, an online fact sheet, and local workshops. Members suggested working with local banks or credit unions to identify financing options and to present a “pathway” residents could use to finance improvements. Grant and other staff were asked to prepare a one‑page fact sheet about 79‑E and a mailing list of eligible properties for the next EDAC meeting.
"It's usually the way that these incentives get implemented. There's some form of education when the implementation happens," Grant said during the discussion.
EDAC did not take a formal vote about changing 79‑E rules (which are set by state law and local adoption) but instructed staff to begin targeted outreach and to coordinate a public meeting that explains both heritage neighborhood planning and the 79‑E program.
EDAC members said they will report back with a draft mailing and the fact sheet at a future meeting; staff also committed to talk to other New Hampshire communities that have used 79‑E to learn what worked.
