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Resident Lauren Carr appeals removal of solar exemption, argues passive system qualifies
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Summary
At the Alton Selectmen meeting, resident Lauren Carr appealed the town’s removal of her solar exemption, saying her passive solar collectors, floor storage and distribution fan heat her home and meet state RSA criteria; the board agreed to continue the appeal and requested documentation and assessor input.
Lauren Carr appealed the town assessor’s decision to remove her solar exemption at the April 6 Alton Selectmen meeting, saying the board’s contractor limited the exemption to photovoltaic panels while her decades-old passive solar system heats her home.
Carr told the board she has used the system for decades and provided faded paperwork showing a past $4,900 upgrade described as a passive-solar feature with storage and a distribution fan. She said she met federal and town requirements at installation and that a June 25 letter from Whitley Consulting Group (received in the office July 8) was the first notice she received; she said she responded but received no further communication.
"They said it only includes photovoltaic panels. That's not correct," Carr said, describing collectors, a heated slab that stores daytime heat and the fan that circulates warmth through the house. "The law says it includes domestic hot water and heating. I meet those requirements."
Selectmen and staff told Carr they need more documentation. A selectman said passive solar is a recognized system type and that the board would review Carr’s materials and consult with the town assessor. Staff asked Carr to leave her paperwork with the office so the board could make copies and compare it to town records and permits.
The board did not rule on the appeal. Chair said the matter will be continued to the next meeting so the assessors and selectmen can review archival records, the appellant’s documents and the contractor’s correspondence. The board also suggested locating original building plans and permits to confirm the system’s documented features.
Clarifying details in the hearing included Carr’s statement of a prior $4,900 passive-solar upgrade (described in faded paperwork) and that she believes the town accepted the system historically. She named Whitley Consulting Group as the contractor/assessor contact in the June correspondence. The board noted that historic warrant articles and dates cited in the discussion (1977, references to 1985 and 1997 in later coverage) are inconsistent in the available records and will be reviewed further.
The appeal will be revisited at the next Selectmen meeting after staff consults the town assessor and reviews submitted documentation.
