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Originally Posted by The Real BigGuy
It is different in that the state of NH wants to double the RE TAX on second/vacation homes to reduce taxes on state residents. As far as the fireboat goes - while the fire department response may actually save a mainland property, the fireboat, not so much. But islanders probably are more than happy to pay for it but would consider an abatement for the school portion of taxes fair.
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It's a pretty big stretch to say "The state wants" when a kid from Peterborough files one bill because he saw the idea on Yellowstone and modified it. It varies from town to town, but island properties make up a substantial portion of a town's total tax base. The fireboats also respond to shorefront emergencies, medical/rescue as well as fire, and to similar needs on boats in the middle of the lake. These aren't your grandfather's cellar savers anymore. Businesses can't vote or send kids to school but they pay taxes. Around the lakes region, shorefront/second homes are the "business". BTW, many camps, hunting, skiing, snowmobile or waterfront in NH are owned by residents of NH, not folks from out of state.