• Current Use helps reduce the costs of municipal services by helping to control residential and commercial growth.
  
  
• Open space land requires little or no town services! Even with Current Use assessment, open space land pays in more in property taxes to the town than it requires in town services. *
  
  
• Timber tax revenue, assessed at the time timber is harvested, goes directly to town coffers! This revenue is generated primarily by timber harvesting on current use properties.
  
  
• When land no longer qualifies for Current Use a "Land Use Change Tax" is paid. Studies have shown the Land Use Change Tax pays the town more than it would have received had the land remained in ad valorum (highest and best use). **

Open Space Pays report by Phil Auger can be viewed here.

SPACE will assist any town who would like to consider a Cost of Community Services (COCS) study. If you would like to apply, please download this form. SPACE will offset a small percentage of the cost, if town's application is approved by the Board of Directors. If you would like a copy of previous town studies, please contact the SPACE office at 603-224-3306. Applications for consideration for 2008, must be in by May 1, 2008.