Assessing

[W] observe that this dispute has consumed an inordinate amount of time, energy, and resources — judicial and otherwise. The salutary purpose of the Right-to-Know Law — to “ensure both the greatest possible public access to the actions, discussions and records of all public bodies, and their accountability to the people,” RSA 91-A:1 — is best served when the members of the public and the governmental bodies are guided by a spirit of collaboration. We take this opportunity to encourage all public bodies, and members of the public making Right-to-Know requests, to embrace that spirit, and work together to efficiently and effectively resolve disputes involving RSA chapter 91-A. 

Part I, Article 8 of the N.H. Constitution says:

All power residing originally in, and being derived from, the people, all the magistrates and officers of government are their substitutes and agents, and at all time accountable to them. Government, therefore, should be open, accessible, accountable and responsive. To that end, the public’s right of access to governmental proceedings and records shall not be unreasonably restricted.

Section 1 of RSA Chapter 91-A reflects this purpose when it states:

Openness in the conduct of public business is essential to a democratic society. The purpose of this chapter is to ensure both the greatest possible public access to the actions, discussions and records of all public bodies, and their accountability to the people.

.https://www.nh.gov/osi/planning/resources/conferences/spring-2015/documents/right-to-know-law-session-materials.pdf

[Art.] 8. [Accountability of Magistrates and Officers; Public’s Right to Know.] All power residing originally in, and being derived from, the people, all the magistrates and officers of government are their substitutes and agents, and at all times accountable to them.  Government, therefore, should be open, accessible, accountable and responsive.  To that end, the public’s right of access to governmental proceedings and records shall not be unreasonably restricted.  The public also has a right to an orderly, lawful, and accountable government.  Therefore, any individual taxpayer eligible to vote in the State, shall have standing to petition the Superior Court to declare whether the State or political subdivision in which the taxpayer resides has spent, or has approved spending, public funds in violation of a law, ordinance, or constitutional provision.  In such a case, the taxpayer shall not have to demonstrate that his or her personal rights were impaired or prejudiced beyond his or her status as a taxpayer.  However, this right shall not apply when the challenged governmental action is the subject of a judicial or administrative decision from which there is a right of appeal by statute or otherwise by the parties to that proceeding.
June 2, 1784

Amended 1976 by providing right of access to governmental proceedings and records.
Amended 2018 by providing that taxpayers have standing to bring actions against the government

https://www.nashuanh.gov/150/Assessing-Department

Nashua’s Assessing Department has undergone a complete re-do over the last few years, from a dark and slow department not keeping up with the times or even its own work to an organized and responsive group now under new organization – and even more recently with a brand new hire – our Chief Assessor just started on December 28th.

All the information you need is available online with new tools that can access your information at the click of a button. The department can be resched by phone, but with COVID limiting the people allowed in the office at one time it’s best to send a quick email if you can’t find your answers on their website.

Exceptions, abatements, the tax rate, due dates, all this is right there when you need it, and if you’d like a short course in how Nashua’s Assessing Department works, here is Assessing 101!

ASSESSING DURING COVID19

The City of Nashua continues to actively monitor the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation. Keeping in mind the health and safety of city residents and city employees, Nashua’s City Hall closed to the public beginning Wednesday, March 18 until further notice. Staff has continued to assist our residents and conduct the essential work of the assessing department remotely, alternating days within the office as needed.… To read more click on “Download” above

The Appraisal Firm of Vision Government Solutions has been hired by the City of Nashua to begin a City-wide Revaluation Project. 

Vision staff will start data collection in Ward 1 on March 3, 2020.

With your permission, the Vision staff member will request to inspect the interior, measure the exterior of all residential and commercial properties. 

• Data collectors will wear reflective clothing and carry badges identifying them as Vision Government Solution employees and will carry written documentation from the City stating their affiliation with the project.  
• Vision Government Solution employees and their vehicles will also be registered with the Nashua Police Department and the Assessor’s Office.  

This process helps assure that your assessment will be fair and based on complete and accurate information. Without such cooperation, data collectors are forced to estimate how many bedrooms, bathrooms, etc., there are in your home.  For more information about this project and process please visit our website at https://www.nashuanh.gov/1285/2022-Full-Measure-List-Appraisal-and-Rev2022 Full Measure & List Appraisal and Revaluation

The big news is:

 Amending the Elderly and Disabled Tax Exemptions 

On November 12, 2019, the Board of Aldermen approved O-19-063, amending the elderly and disabled tax exemptions. 

This legislation increased the amount of the elderly exemption for persons between the ages of 65 and 74 from $192,000 to $194,000. The amount of net assets allowed for the exemption for the disabled also increased from $125,000 to $150,000. 

The intent of these two changes was to make the elderly exemption and the exemption for the disabled more uniform. Changes take effect starting in the tax year beginning April 1, 2020. The legislation also updates the language for the elderly and the disabled tax exemption and qualifications to match the language found in New Hampshire RSA Chapter 72 (“Persons and Property Liable to Taxation”). 

Read the newsletter for further information.