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Select Board approves five-year RSA 79-E tax relief for 29 Hancock Street, hears concept for 12 senior units at former Boy Scout Hall
Summary
Hinsdale’s Select Board approved a five-year Community Revitalization (RSA 79-E) tax-relief agreement for 29 Hancock Street to support redevelopment of the former Masonic Temple into 12 units, and heard a related concept plan proposing 12 one-bedroom senior units at 657 Plain Road. The board unanimously approved the RSA 79-E application and discussed historic-window preservation.
The Hinsdale Select Board unanimously approved a five-year Community Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive (RSA 79-E) application for 29 Hancock Street, a former Masonic Temple, at its March 4, 2026 meeting.
Josh Green presented the application and said the owner intends to construct 12 residential units in the former temple. The board voted to grant tax relief for five years at the current assessed value and reassess the property after that period. Selectman Mike Carrier moved to approve the RSA 79-E application for a five-year term; Selectman Bernie Rideout seconded and the motion passed with Diorio, Carrier, Hodgman and Rideout voting aye.
David Luebberman, who has discussed the site with Green and is advancing the project, said one stained-glass window from the building is planned to go to the Hinsdale Historical Society. Alan Zavorotny and others discussed the window’s provenance during the meeting.
The board also heard a separate concept site plan from Josh Green for 657 Plain Road, the town’s former Boy Scout Hall. Green described a proposal for 12 single, one-bedroom apartments “probably for seniors,” saying the design seeks to maximize the lot without requiring variances and that the town would need to adopt the relevant RSA via a warrant article at Town Meeting to enable the project as proposed.
Why it matters: both items reflect local efforts to add small-scale housing and reuse underutilized properties in Hinsdale. The RSA 79-E program offers temporary assessed-value relief to incentivize revitalization; the board’s five-year approval is intended to lower near-term tax burden while construction and occupancy proceed.
What’s next: the 29 Hancock Street owner will move forward under the RSA 79-E framework and the board will reassess after five years. Any change in the town’s enabling ordinances or adoption of state-authorized provisions required for the 657 Plain Road concept would need to be placed on a future Town Meeting warrant and approved by voters.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 003; topfinish SEG 010
