Conservation Commission Article 21

Conservation Commission

Article 21

Article # 21 As Amended on Saturday, February 4, 2023 To see if the town will vote to deposit 100 percent of the revenues collected pursuant to RSA 79-A (the land use change tax) in the conservation fund in accordance with RSA36-A:5 III as authorized by RSA79-A:25 II. If adopted this article shall take effect April 1, 2023 and shall remain in effect until altered or rescinded by future vote of the town meeting. If the above article does not pass, the percentage of LUCT revenues deposited in the conservation fund shall remain at 50% as it is now. [Sic] (Petition Warrant Article) NARRATIVE: The Current Use Program, created in 1972, provides a tax incentive to qualifying landowners who maintain their land as undeveloped forest, farm, or open space. When the use of the land changes to a non-qualifying use (e.g., the land is developed), a one-time land use change tax (LUCT) is assessed based on the current market value. Money collected through the LUCT represents the loss of farmland, forestland, or open space to development. Using these funds to protect important open space, conserve natural resources, and retain rural character is a logical reinvestment and is currently Deerfield’s primary source of contributions to the town Conservation Fund. In 2022, the Deerfield Conservation Commission expended LUCT funds to assist individual Deerfield landowners in achieving their goals of permanently protecting 100 acres of forest and farmland. Increasing the percentage from 50 to 100 percent of the LUCT revenues collected will increase the capacity for conservation in Deerfield. There is no tax impact for Deerfield residents if this warrant article passes.

Explanation of Warrant Article 21 regarding the Deerfield NH Land Use Tax