CONCORD: The state Housing Appeals Board has struck down the Epping zoning board’s denial of a variance to a developer that wanted to build a $75 million 315-unit multifamily housing project with 64 affordable units. Following the decision, the developer, Tom Prieto, can seek approval from the town planning for the project. The NH Union Leader reported that he expects to go before that board Jan. 12. The zoning board had denied a variance that would have allowed Prieto to build threestory buildings on the site. A town ordinance sets a two-story maximum. In its ruling, the board said the record of proceedings “does not reasonably support the ZBA’s finding that the three-story variance would be contrary to the public interest due to public health and safety concerns.”
CONCORD: State revenues continue to exceed forecasts, thanks again to business taxes, and rooms and meals taxes and lottery revenues. For November, the Department of Revenue Administration reported state levies produced $131.5 million in revenues, which is $5.4 million more than anticipated for the month. For the first five months of the 2023 fiscal year, state revenues total $901.7 million, which is $147.3 million more than estimates.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: All six New England states are among the 20 top states when it comes to implementing energy-efficiency policies to cut utility bills and reducing greenhouse gases, but New Hampshire’s efforts are less robust than those of its neighbors. According to the 2022 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard produced by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, New Hampshire’s policies rank 19th in the nation, down a spot from No. 18 in 2021. Meanwhile, California was No. 1 on the scorecard, and five of the top 10 energy-efficient states are in New England: Massachusetts (No. 2), Vermont (No. 4), Maine (No. 5), Rhode Island (tied at No. 7) and Connecticut (No. 9).
NEW LONDON: Ben Cushing of New London, a regional manager for Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty in Hanover, has been elected as the 70th president of the NH Association of Realtors. Cushing, 53, is a 25-year Realtor and a longtime real estate instructor. He will begin his term in January. His primary objective will be to continue the fight for housing availability amid the growing inventory and affordability crisis, he said.
CONCORD: The Executive Council has approved a 20-year, $70 million lease to provide a new home for the Department of Justice and perhaps for other state departments in Concord. The lease is with the real estate management firm led by Steve Duprey, a former Republican state chairman who is a prominent landlord and developer in the Concord area. The DOJ will move into 65,000 square feet of space in the South Building at 1 Granite Place in Concord, about a mile and a half north of the State House. The building is part of a complex originally built to serve as state headquarters for Lincoln Financial Group.
CLAREMONT: The venerable Claremont Motorsports Park in Claremont is being sold, and Mike Parks, owner of MDP Motorsports, operator of the facility for the last three years will not be back to operate the track. He announced in a Facebook post earlier this month that his lease to operate the track will not be renewed for the 2023 season as a sale is worked out between co-owners Norm Wrenn and Ben Bosowski. Wrenn also owns New Hampshire tracks Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, and Lee USA Speedway in Lee. Bosowski owns the Hudson Speedway, also in New Hampshire. According to the Race Day CT website, Bosowski is in negotiations to take full ownership of the Claremont track.
CONCORD: The state will receive $6.2 million in federal money for its weatherization assistance program, following approval by the Executive Council. About $5.6 million of the federal money will go toward grants to assist income-eligible individuals and households paying for weatherizing their homes. An additional $130,000 will be spent on two temporary full-time positions to administer the program, the Department stated. The federal funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It covers energy-efficiency improvements like insulation and air sealing for both renters and homeowners.
HENNIKER: Following the University System of New Hampshire’s announcement of its fifth tuition freeze in a row, New England College in Henniker announced that it will also be freezing its tuition for the 2023–24 academic year. On-campus students will pay a yearly average of $12,500 in tuition (including scholarships). However, additional costs for room and board are not included in the tuition freeze. Online students pay an average of $10,500 per year for a bachelor’s degree. Community college students who decide to transfer to New England College are eligible for a flat tuition rate of $10,000.
