Property taxes (WAS: On Nh living and commutes..)

[Travis Roy]

Michael Costolo wrote:

>>Bedford also has stupid stuff like not letting people tear down their 
>>own barns on their own property.. (corner of Wallace Rd. and 101).. I 
>>was glad to see that thing down last time I drove by.
> 
> 
> If I recall correctly, that barn is going to be rebuilt.  Into a bank, I believe. 
> There was a story on NHPR about it not long ago.

I remember that she wanted to tear it down because it was falling apart 
but the town wanted it to stay as a "historical building"

I'm sorry, if my town wouldn't let me tear down my old crappy barn for 
that stupid reason I would see to it that some punk kid either crashes 
into it with their old crappy car knocking it down, or a tree would 
"accidently" fall on it..

Here's some stuff

http://www.yourneighborhoodnews.com/bullarc081000.html#anchor1414498

The other one I found I can't link to.. google cache and it's burried in 
the page, here's the text:

Old barn may be OK

By SUSAN CLARK
Staff Writer

Is the barn at the intersection of Wallace Road and Route 101 
structurally sound, or so dilapidated it creates a liability to the 
owner? There are always two sides to a story and the controversy over 
the fate of the antique barn is no exception.

Priscilla Curry, owner of the barn and two homes on the southern side of 
Wallace Road and Route 101, has petitioned the Historic District 
Commission for permission to demolish the barn.

At meetings on July 11 and Sept. 5, the commission granted continuances 
to conduct further studies. The commission is expected to continue 
discussions and possibly decide the barn's fate on Nov. 14, at 7:30p.m., 
at the Bedford Town Offices.

"I have to get my affairs in order. I'm not getting any younger and I 
can't keep up with it anymore," said Curry in July.

Attorney Susan Duprey, who represents Curry, said the situation is 
unfair because the property is being treated as if it was owned by the 
public.

A group of concerned citizens want the barn preserved in order to retain 
the town's unique character.

"If a national retail chain builds there, Bedford will look just like so 
many other suburban towns across the nation. We will finally become a 
town typical of America's homogenized landscape," said resident Susan 
Tufts-Moore.

The two parties hired experts to evaluate the barn's condition and 
structural integrity, each presenting contrasting results.

According to Curry, the barn has not been used since 1940, is in a 
dilapidated condition and creates a financial burden.

Holden Engineering and Surveying Company, of Bedford, agreed and 
indicated that the structure has been neglected for years, is not 
suitable for occupancy and poses a liability.

"In my opinion, the entire barn structure would require substantial 
repairs and in some areas total reconstruction in order to bring the 
structure into conformance with current building code requirements," 
said engineer, Steven Halloran, in the Holden report.

In a second report, Brian A, Dumais, of Dumais Antique Structures, 
concluded the barn is unstable citing weather damage and lack of 
maintenance. Dumais, who specializes in restoring and dismantling 
antique barns, has estimated the restoration of the Curry barn at 
approximately $500,000.

In an opposing view, Maximillian L. Ferro, of The Preservation 
Partnership, reported that the barn is structurally sound.

"The original barn floor has supported full hay wagons, cows and oxen 
for 200 years and is still clearly capable of 
far-greater-than-residential loads. It can be adapted to virtually any 
modern use," Ferro said in the report.

Ferro concluded the cost of rehabilitation would be 40 to 60 percent of 
replacement costs, since the frame and envelope of the structure are 
already in place.

Dumais estimated the cost of reproducing the barn at $125,000. This 
figure is for a post-and-beam frame only, and does not include 
demolition costs, siding, roofing and windows.

The concerned citizen group is aware of four business owners who are 
interested in purchasing the barn for commercial use. According to the 
group, phone calls to Duprey concerning a possible purchase have not 
been returned as of Oct. 18.