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Durham council approves property tax abatements amid Mill Pond dam-removal concerns
Summary
The Town Council unanimously approved FY2025 property tax abatements, including a corrected address to one application, after public comment warned the Mill Pond dam removal is affecting local property values; the Assessor said April 1, 2025 was the date of value used in determinations.
Durham, N.H. — The Durham Town Council on June 15 approved a packet of FY2025 property tax abatement recommendations, after hearing from a resident who said the planned removal of the Mill Pond dam had already reduced waterfront property values.
Chris Gowland of 28 Newmarket Road urged the Council to delay or deny a vote on his abatement application, saying the Mill Pond drawdown and pending dam removal have changed the market for nearby homes and removed recreational benefits. "The drawdown of Mill Pond has already and the dam removal will result in a loss of recreational opportunities, the beauty of the pond and the enjoyment of the wildlife at my home," Gowland said during public comment.
Chair Joe Friedman moved to approve the abatement package with a clerical correction to one address; the motion passed on a roll call vote of 9-0. The Unanimous Consent Agenda had listed the abatement recommendations totaling $55,266.59; Friedman noted one property was seeking a $99,000 individual abatement in its application.
Town Assessor Darcy Freer told the Council that assessments are calculated to reflect the market as of a statutory "date of value." "April 1, 2025 is considered the date of value for the assessment of the property," Freer said, adding that she used comparable sales and customary valuation factors to determine land and building values and that no one can predict precisely how values will change after the dam is removed. Administrator Todd Selig said the assessor reviews applications, recommends action to the Council, and that property owners have appeal options if dissatisfied.
The Council was reminded that property owners may appeal valuation decisions to the New Hampshire Tax and Land Appeals Board or pursue a suit in Superior Court; Selig noted that abatements must be considered by July 1 for routine processing but the Council may grant abatements after that date.
What’s next: The approved abatements will be processed per town procedure; affected homeowners who remain unsatisfied were told they can appeal to the Tax and Land Appeals Board or Superior Court.
