04/12/2026
Here’s a link to a good article from 2022 on the renovations of the old Masonic Temple on Hancock St.
https://www.reformer.com/local-news/turning-ghost-houses-into-mansions/article_c5ed524a-9a36-11ec-abcf-837e442c174c.html
At the time the article was written, the plan was to renovate the building into 9 apartments. At the April 2025 planning board meeting, updated plans for 12 units were approved. This project was also the first, in Hinsdale, to be approved for the 79E tax incentive program adopted at the 2025 Town Meeting.
Community Revitalization Tax Incentive RSA 79-E is a state law that encourages investment in downtowns and village centers. It provides a tax incentive for the rehabilitation and active use of under-utilized older buildings and, in so doing, aims to promote strong local economies and smart, sustainable growth as an alternative to sprawl.
RSA 79-E is a temporary tax relief incentive for a property owner who wants to
substantially rehabilitate a building that is located in a historic district, downtown, or
village center.
▪ In 2013, an amendment was added to RSA 79-E that allows for historic structures
outside of the downtown, village center, or historic district to be qualifying
structures. This update to the law promotes the preservation and reuse of existing
structures throughout the entire municipality. The qualifying structure has to be
historic as defined by the law and energy efficiency measures must be included in
the project.
The goal of the incentive is to encourage the rehabilitation and active use of an
under-utilized property. The currently approved area covered by 79 E includes the Business District and the following streets in the residential district: Highland Avenue, High Street, Spring Street, Pleasant Street, River Road, Depot Street and Glen Street.
We look forward to adding twelve new residential to the town’s housing inventory at the completion of this renovation.
