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Housing forum drew 30+; commission seeks vacant-property data and weighs options for abandoned sites
Summary
More than 30 people attended a town housing forum featuring HomeShare, Let's Build Homes, and Vital Communities. The commission flagged vacant and abandoned properties (including a burned-out school in Wells River) as issues for follow-up and asked the Listers Office to help identify vacant parcels.
Commissioner Larry Scott reported that the second housing forum drew over 30 attendees and included presenters from HomeShare, Let's Build Homes, and Vital Communities who "offered extensive and helpful information." The minutes record that the forum sparked much discussion and that a follow-up plan of action is the next step.
The commission expressed interest in collecting data on vacant properties to guide housing efforts; Dustin Putnam offered to see if the Listers Office could assist. Separately, commissioners raised concerns about abandoned or damaged properties, citing the burned-out school building in Wells River. Mr. Marquise said other towns (Burlington and Corinth) levy fees by ordinance to address similar properties. Mr. Putnam cautioned that pressuring owners could prompt tax nonpayment and shift cleanup responsibilities to the town. Mr. Tegethoff added that recent changes to State tax-sale regulations transfer hazardous-materials liability to municipalities.
