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Woodsy · 05-30-2006, 03:10 PM

MJP

Unfortunately it is you who are unclear on the facts and making generalizations. For someone who lives here, you have an amazing lack of understanding of the tax code.

Property taxes in NH are based on current market value. The market value of your property is determined by the Alton Tax Assessor based on a number of things. Size of the property, location of the property, unique features of the property such as waterfront and/or view, and very importantly what similar or comparable properties in Alton have sold for.

Nobody is minimizing whatever it was you or anyone else for that matter had to do to purchase and maintain your property for your family. I do sympathize with those families who are getting forced out due to high property values. A .43 acre waterfront parcel can be assessed for $649K because somebody else purchased a similar property in that price range. More than likely the actual cash value of the property is 5% to 10% higher. The rule of supply and demand is very much in effect. People who are willing to pay higher and higher prices unfortunately set the bar that everyone else has to follow. Blame your old neighbors for selling out and your new neighbors for being willing to pay exorbitantly for that type of property.

I don't like paying taxes any more than the next guy. Like you I live on a private road in a development that gets very little support from the town, in my case it is Laconia. I too have to pay extra for snow removal and trash removal. We are connected to the town water and sewer, but that was a mandate from the Laconia Planning Board in order for the development to be built. When I purchased my house, the deed clearly stated that the property was located on a private road that was maintained by a homeowners association. When you bought your property your deed was just as clear the road you live on was not a public road and not maintained by the town. You and your neighbors can petition the town to accept your road as public and thus maintain it, however I doubt you'll be successful in that endeavor.

Woodsy

05-30-2006, 03:10 PM	#16
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,968 Thanks: 80 Thanked 980 Times in 440 Posts	MJP Unfortunately it is you who are unclear on the facts and making generalizations. For someone who lives here, you have an amazing lack of understanding of the tax code. Property taxes in NH are based on current market value. The market value of your property is determined by the Alton Tax Assessor based on a number of things. Size of the property, location of the property, unique features of the property such as waterfront and/or view, and very importantly what similar or comparable properties in Alton have sold for. Nobody is minimizing whatever it was you or anyone else for that matter had to do to purchase and maintain your property for your family. I do sympathize with those families who are getting forced out due to high property values. A .43 acre waterfront parcel can be assessed for $649K because somebody else purchased a similar property in that price range. More than likely the actual cash value of the property is 5% to 10% higher. The rule of supply and demand is very much in effect. People who are willing to pay higher and higher prices unfortunately set the bar that everyone else has to follow. Blame your old neighbors for selling out and your new neighbors for being willing to pay exorbitantly for that type of property. I don't like paying taxes any more than the next guy. Like you I live on a private road in a development that gets very little support from the town, in my case it is Laconia. I too have to pay extra for snow removal and trash removal. We are connected to the town water and sewer, but that was a mandate from the Laconia Planning Board in order for the development to be built. When I purchased my house, the deed clearly stated that the property was located on a private road that was maintained by a homeowners association. When you bought your property your deed was just as clear the road you live on was not a public road and not maintained by the town. You and your neighbors can petition the town to accept your road as public and thus maintain it, however I doubt you'll be successful in that endeavor. Woodsy __________________ The only way to eliminate ignorant behavior is through education. You can't fix stupid.