DEERFIELD, N.H. — Homeowners still cleaning up after a tornado devastated a handful of towns across New Hampshire in July are now finding out that their tax bills are going up.
Many Deerfield residents said they have been making repairs as they can afford it, because a lot of them had insurance policies that didn’t cover the damage.
“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” said homeowner Lynda Murray. “This is probably a two-year ordeal.”
Murray said finishing the project could cost $5,000 or more, and she just learned that her property taxes are going up $2 per $1,000 valuation, a total increase of $1,200 per year.
“I don’t know how we’re going to swing it,” she said. “You have to save for your taxes. Now, we have to put away another $600 before Dec. 5.”
The Murrays have 3 acres on Echo Valley Road. Many of the giant trees that used to surround the property are now piled up as firewood, while others are still lying across their back yard.
“Our land is supposedly worth $123,000,” Murray said. “But if you look at it, it’s not worth $123,000. There’s just no way.”
Deerfield town Selectman Andy Robertson said the town is quickly running out of money. A budget of $3.7 million has less than $200,000 left after two 100-year floods in three years and the tornado. He said it’s up to the weather to see if the town stays in the black.
“If we get any sort of snow or ice event before the end of the year, we will most likely end up in deficit,” Robertson said.
The town budget crunch means that no relief is likely for the Murrays, who said they are just trying to get by.
“We’re trying,” Murray said. “We’re doing our best.”
Deerfield isn’t the only community hit by the tornado where taxes are going up. Residents in Epsom, Nottingham, Pittsfield, Alton, Ossipee and Wolfeboro are also seeing higher tax rates, although not all of those were caused by the tornado.