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Lancaster Select Board approves $20,000 for library furnace, signs USDA assurance and rules on LUCT appeals
Summary
At its April 7 meeting the Lancaster Select Board approved up to $20,000 from the Library Capital Reserve to repair the library furnace, signed an assurance agreement enabling Clean Energy NH to bill a USDA grant, and resolved three Land Use Change Tax appeals, including a revised Eardley assessment of $95,000.
At its April 7 meeting in Town Hall the Lancaster Select Board unanimously approved up to $20,000 from the Library Capital Reserve fund to repair the library furnace and signed an assurance agreement allowing Clean Energy NH to bill time to a USDA Rural Community Development Initiative grant.
The actions followed presentations from Librarian Barbara Robarts, who told the board she had obtained two contractor quotes and requested the use of reserve funds for necessary furnace repairs, and Melissa Elander of Clean Energy NH, who said the nonprofit is supported by the Tillotson Fund and the USDA grant and required a signed assurance agreement to invoice for her time. Selectman Kathy-Jean Lavoie moved both motions; Selectman Shane Beattie seconded. Both motions passed with all in favor.
The board also took up three Land Use Change Tax (LUCT) appeals. Town Manager Jessica Cyr read the contracted assessor Jason Call’s recommendations: the Morris/Jany appeal was denied based on the assessor’s findings; the Eardley assessment was revised from $100,000 to $95,000 (changing the associated tax from $10,000 to $9,500); and the assessor recommended no change for Cholewa. The board accepted the assessor’s recommendations and noted appellants retain the right to appeal to the State Board of Tax and Land Appeals (BTLA) or Superior Court.
In other procedural business the board voted to approve the March 3 work session, regular and non-public minutes; tabled the March 17 regular minutes until Selectman Rideout’s return; and later entered a non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II(c). After returning to public session the board voted to seal the non-public minutes indefinitely.
The meeting concluded with a public comment question about whether the trustees or the board have authority to decant the Dow Fund; Town Manager Cyr said the Trustees of the Trust Funds were communicating with the Attorney General’s office and urged follow-up with the trustees.
Votes at a glance: the furnace repair allocation (up to $20,000) — approved unanimously; assurance agreement with USDA for Clean Energy NH — approved unanimously; Morris/Jany LUCT appeal — denied (approved motion to accept assessor recommendation); Eardley LUCT assessment revised to $95,000 — accepted; Cholewa LUCT appeal — denied; March 3 minutes approvals — approved; March 17 minutes — tabled; non-public minutes — sealed indefinitely.
The board adjourned after taking those actions.
