steven nardelli

Steven Nardelli 135 Weirs rd, Gilford NH 03249 The Honorable Members of the House Ways and Means Committee New Hampshire House of Representatives State House 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 Dear Members of the House Ways and Means Committee, I am writing as a concerned secondary homeowner in the Town of Gilford, New Hampshire, to strongly oppose House Bill 1580, "Relative to the taxation of non-primary residences." This legislation would impose an additional 0.75% annual surcharge on the assessed market value of non-primary residential properties valued at $500,000 or more, effective April 1, 2027. I believe this proposal is unfair, burdensome, and detrimental to families like mine who own vacation or seasonal homes in New Hampshire. My family owns a second home in Gilford, which we use for family gatherings, relaxation, and enjoying the beautiful Lakes Region. This property serves as an important retreat and contributes significantly to the local economy through spending on goods, services, dining, and community activities. However, under current New Hampshire law, we are prohibited from designating this property as our primary residence for purposes such as voter registration, driver's licensing, or tax exemptions. Why would we then be peanalized for being secondary home owners. If HB1580 becomes law, the added surcharge would substantially increase the overall cost of ownership. For many second-home owners, including those with properties assessed well above $500,000 (common in desirable areas like Gilford), this will add thousands of dollars annually on top of already high local property taxes. This additional financial burden would make maintaining our second home prohibitive, forcing difficult choices such as selling the property, reducing our time in New Hampshire, or cutting back on other family expenses. Second homeowners already pay full local property taxes that support Gilford's schools, roads, services, and community needs, without receiving certain benefits available to year-round residents. Imposing this statewide surcharge unfairly targets a group that contributes positively to the state's economy and tourism industry, while doing little to address broader housing challenges in a targeted or equitable way. New Hampshire has long prided itself on being a low-tax, business- and family-friendly state. HB1580 risks undermining this reputation by creating a new layer of taxation that could discourage investment in our communities, reduce property values over time, and drive away visitors and part-time residents who support local businesses. I respectfully urge the Committee to reject HB1580 or amend it to exclude existing secondary homeowners or provide meaningful exemptions/relief for properties like ours. Thank you for your consideration of my perspective and for your service to the people of New Hampshire. I would welcome the opportunity to testify or provide additional information. Sincerely, Steven Nardelli Secondary Homeowner, Gilford, NH