Would you like to own a highly energy-efficient home or second home in New Hampshire?
We are going to write about a unique subdivision in New Boston, NH, and although it’s in an old New England town that retains its small-town character to this day, it is an easy drive to Manchester and its world-class airport and only a little over an hour into Boston. Want to know more?
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is about 20 minutes drive from New Boston, NH. It’s a little over an hour’s drive to Boston via Rte. 93. We recently received approval for our 75-acre green subdivision on Clark Hill Road. The parcel has 1900 feet of frontage along the northern side of the road, a Town Designated Scenic Road (see the photo below).
What is unique about New Boston and this 75-acre subdivision?
We have had the land subdivided with respect and sensitivity for its wildlife, animal trails, and the native trees and plants that are in abundance on the property. If you like the idea of building a first or second home in the country but still want to be within relatively easy reach of a good-sized city such as Boston and an airport that supports major airlines (in Manchester, NH), then this might be a good opportunity for you. If you enjoy nature exploration, hiking, skiing (cross-country and/or downhill), horseback riding, golf, or other similar activities, they are all within easy reach, —some would be right in your backyard. If you want to be involved in cultural activities, New Boston’s vibrant library community (a new larger building is coming soon) is a magnet for New Boston’s residents, young and old. Keene, NH is not far, and Peterborough, a lovely town with nice shops and restaurants and the MacDowell Colony, is an easy drive. There is lots to see, lots to enjoy! If you prefer to simply savor the richness of nature all around you, this could also be a perfect spot for you to put down roots.
Clark Hill Road, New Boston, NH
Can you tell me more about these lots?
Several of the lots are what are sometimes referred to as “estate lots.” This is not a cluster-zoned subdivision. Here, each lot has its own driveway or in some cases a shared driveway for a short distance (50 feet) as it leaves Clark Hill Road, branching off after that into two private drives. One lot has its entrance on Dennison Road on the north or back side of the property. There is no street into this subdivision. There will be driveways only. The lots range in size from about 2+ acres (some of those along Clark Hill Road) up to 11+ and 12+ acres. If you would prefer a larger lot still or more flexibility, we are willing to sell two or more lots to the same buyer.
This land is in Current Use. You may not know what that means so we have provided a link to NH S.P.A.C.E.
Right now, all of the land (the entire 75 acres) is in “Current Use” which permits landowners who own 10 or more contiguous acres to pay very low R.E. taxes. More importantly, Current Use helps people of modest means own large parcels of land. Most of the open land in NH is in Current Use. If you were to purchase an 11 or 12-acre lot, most of your land would stay in Current Use so long as you didn’t apply to take it out of this status. It would continue to be taxed as such once you purchased a lot. An exception to this is the footprint of your home, together with your immediate yard, and your driveway, which would be taxed at the regular residential rate.
How are the schools in New Boston?
New Boston’s school system is highly rated and, in fact, is considered to be among the better ones in the State. There are also a variety of programs for all ages run by Whipple Free Library in New Boston that cater to many interests. A new, larger energy-efficient building (5,000 square feet) has been architect-designed and is due to open in the coming year. A link is provided at the right of this page. You will find renderings and plans there and more information. It is to be an energy-efficient building, as most new homes and businesses are now.
What are some other things about New Boston that might make me want to live there?
There’s plenty to do in and around New Boston. There are golf courses, horseback riding facilities, cross-country and downhill skiing areas. Crotched Mountain Ski Area and Pat’s Peak are both under a half-hour away, and there are many other local activities. The MacDowell Colony in Peterborough, provides fellowships for artists of exceptional talent, with time, space, and an inspiring environment in which to do creative work. Concord, New Hampshire’s State Capitol, is not much further away than Manchester, and Nashua is also within an easy drive, and yet you will be living in the the rural countryside in a quintessential small New England town. The Piscataquog Land Conservancy has its headquarters in New Boston. Various residents and other groups in the town, including the Piscataquog Land Conservancy, are taking steps to protect large tracts of forestland, river frontage, streams, and wetlands, with conservation easements. If you were to purchase one of the larger lots in our subdivision, you could put a conservation easement on much of it if you wished, protecting the land even more. Such an action typically results in reduced Estate taxes and R.E. taxes, etc.
You would be able to enjoy the abundant wildlife and peacefulness of small town New England yet it is only a short walk or bicycle ride to the center of town where there’s an old style general store (see photo below), delightful outdoor garden shop, and other local businesses such as a hardware store, coffee shop, etc., the Town Hall, a lovely park that has concerts in the summertime, and more.
If you get a hankering to go into the big city, want to take in a play at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA, go to an exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, or have dinner at one of Boston’s finer restaurants, any of these are quite do-able on a weekend, but you’ll also find similar, if only slightly more modest activities in Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Peterborough, Henniker, NH, etc., or take a quick ride over to Goffstown, NH on a weeknight for dinner out with the family. There are a couple of very popular local restaurants there.
Are low-impact, sustainable building methods and the use of alternative energy here to stay and are they really cost-effective? Why would I want to spend more money to build my home, especially in this economy?
Those who would like to utilize alternative energy such as passive solar, solar hot water, solar photovoltaic panels (for electricity), a geothermal well, high R-value insulation, EnergyStar appliances, radiant heating, and/or recycled/recyclable materials in their new home, are highly encouraged to inquire about our unique project. We believe that some or all of the measures and technologies mentioned on this website are within the reach of many people planning on having a new home built or building one themselves. And if you’re a first-time buyer, or haven’t purchased a home in some time, there’s now an $8,000 credit (a bit less for someone who has owned a home in the past) from the federal government when you buy or build a home!
There are design/build firms in NH that are able to produce highly energy-efficient, precision-modular, very high quality homes made from top-quality materials, for costs comparable to traditionally built homes. One of these firms is Bensonwood Homes in Walpole, NH. Because of it’s relatively close proximity to New Boston (a little over 50 miles away), shipping of the large home sections to New Boston would be virtually free (the first 50 miles are always free!). Bensonwood designs and builds homes in sections in their shop in Walpole, NH. These incorporate all insulation, windows/doors, electrical boxes and conduits, and more, allowing them to go up quickly on-site. Bensonwood is a full service company with architects, designers, project managers, engineers, carpenters, and a variety of other specialists at their facility. They can also work with your architect or other professionals and they are able to customize already available designs or build completely custom homes and are very accommodating. Styles vary from traditional to modern.
Can you show me how to save money if I decide to build an energy-efficient, home?
We will do whatever we can to assist you and to connect you with architects, engineers, builders, landscape designers, suppliers or, if you prefer, you can bring along your own, or even design and build your home yourself (realizing that it will have to meet local building codes). We will help you to learn about alternative energy and other cost- and energy-saving measures and green incentives at the State and Federal levels. More generous mortgages are available to people who want to build sustainably if they have a good credit history. The idea behind this is that since your energy costs will be so much less than normal, you can afford somewhat higher mortgage payments over the life of the mortgage. It is even possible to build a “net zero energy house.”
I still don’t understand why I should bother to build an “energy-efficient” home when it might be less expensive to build a completely conventional one? Besides, I can’t afford to do it! Passive solar, or simply orienting your home carefully to take full advantage of the sunshine during the daytime, angling roof areas and having roof overhangs that take into account the difference between winter and summer sun angles, and using blinds or shades to reduce solar heat in the summer all help significantly with heating and cooling costs. Installing proper and sufficient amounts of insulation, EnergyStar appliances, low-flow faucets, and a variety of other low or very modest cost components in your home are things that anyone building a home can do and are becoming almost universal now, and they typically don’t increase the cost of the home, or if they do, it is by a very modest amount.
Some people are put off by the idea of installing solar panels, a geothermal well, or other “expensive” infrastructure because they feel these and other forms of alternative energy technology are too expensive, but one important reason to consider these is the ultra-low utility bills you’ll have once you move in and far into the future that will more than make up for the extra upfront costs, not to mention the payback to the environment due to lower use of fossil fuels. Using non-toxic building materials is worth the investment that might be associated with it, since you can’t put a price tag on your family’s health. Studies have shown that you can greatly improve the air quality inside your home by insuring that only non-toxic materials are used in its construction. Within a few years you will have made back the money associated with the alternative energy features you have integrated into your home because of your lower or non-existent heating bills, A/C, electricity, and hot water, and if you utilize radiant heat, your floors can be delightfully warm under your bare feet in the wintertime, and your home will be cooler in the summertime. All of these features will significantly increase the resale value of your home should you decide to sell it sometime in the future. As already mentioned, solar hot water is extremely cost-effective and can pay for itself in as little as 3-5 years, especially with the newly available government incentives! Solar hot water is completely compatible with New England’s weather! These systems are relatively inexpensive to buy and install. Solar electricity is more costly and takes longer for pay-back in New England but can also be a good investment.
Zero Net Energy VT Home - Photo credits: Pill-Maharam Architects by Westphalen Photography, from www.jetsongreen.com website
Can you give me some examples of homes that utilize these alternative technologies?
Take a look at the zero-net-energy home in Vermont. If you like the idea of a conventional New England farmhouse design for your home, this might appeal to you, yet it is extremely energy-efficient! NO COST to heat or cool! Also explore the Smart Home in Chicago, a contemporary, pre-fabricated home. Pre-fabrication (mentioned above) saves on costs and no longer limits design possibilities as it has in the past. If you wish to do something a little more off-beat and modest, look into a low-impact woodland home (a little unconventional, yes, but very low-impact and inexpensive). You would just need to be sure that you can meet local building codes. Be sure to take a look at the Bensonwood Homes website. It is very comprehensive and has a great deal of information including photographs, plans, and pricing for their Unity Homes, Brightbuilt Barn-Homes, “This Old House” homes, and more. Explore their website fully as there is much information there about their philosophy, home designs, facilities, materials used, procedures, pricing, etc.
Garden Shop, New Boston Town Center
What protections are there from further development?
These lots cannot be further subdivided. We have set it up that way through covenants. Also, the Town of New Boston feels strongly about maintaining the town’s rural character and is actively discouraging rapid growth. As mentioned earlier, there is also the possibility of putting a Conservation Easement on much of your lot (if it is one of the larger ones) and this will protect it in perpetuity. Conservation Easements can be tailored to your particular wishes but are intended to protect land on one or more ways.
What if I’d like to have a few horses, some chickens, or a farm?
This land is zoned Residential-Agricultural, so if you wish to have a farm, raise some chickens, have horses, etc., you can do any of these things.
How can I find out more?
Please look around the site, check out our subdivision plan, investigate the links we’ve provided… and come back often, as we will be updating and adding to the site and its resource links. Since we now have subdivision approval, we will be actively marketing this land by late winter or early spring 2010. If you think you might be interested in knowing more, please get in touch with me at art.n.nature@gmail.com. We can arrange to have you take a look at the land if you’d like and/or answer your questions. We hope to hear from you!
If you are an architect, engineer, alternative energy supplier, or builder with considerable experience in well-designed, energy-efficient homes and/or with significant background in sustainable development, or if you are a landscape designer with a resume of projects in which you have utilized native plantings, organic methods, etc., We’d like to hear from you! If you might like the opportunity to work with buyers to build sustainable, energy-efficient homes, please email me!
We received Planning Board approval for this subdivision in the Town of New Boston on October 27th, 2009!
