HB537

Good Evening - I understand that tomorrow the Science, Technology, and Energy Committee will hold public hearings with regard to HB’s 537, 539 and HB 680. I am writing on behalf of Kirriemuir Condominium Association as well as the Stratham, NH Condominium Leadership Council. I serve as President and Secretary of these two boards, respectively. To add background for this letter of support, Kirriemuir Condominium Association consists of 32 residential townhouse units serviced by shared wells and septic systems, each serving between 3 and 9 individual units. Our Association currently pays a commercial electric rate on these utilities which are then passed on to our homeowners via our annual operating budget/condo fees. This is consistent with many other condominium associations in New Hampshire in municipalities without public water and sewer. We do not believe this is appropriate, as these utilities are necessary for homeownership and are not being used for purposes other than domestic water and sewer. For that reason, the electric rates associated with their usage should be residential. The commercial electric rate adds substantial costs to our annual operating budget that would otherwise be residential rates if we owned single family homes. Kirriemuir Condominium Association supports the approval of HB 537 which assigns a domestic electric rate for domestic/household septic and well-pump electric usage for Condominium Associations that do not permit commercial or business enterprises to operate in the Association’s limited common areas. We also support the approval of HB 539 which would require franchised protected electric utilities to assign the domestic tariff rate to electric meters providing electricity to well- pumps and septic systems serving domestic/household condominium units. We also support HB 680 amending RSA 378:7 such that the commission bill all residential units at domestic tariff rates even if the Association is paying the bills on behalf of each individual residential unit. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you Paige Libbey, P.E. 603-775-3810 plibbey@jonesandbeach.com Kirriemuir Condominium Association Stratham NH Condominium Leadership Council