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Pilgrim Pines Pays $359,760 in Property Taxes, Interest
WEST SWANZEY, NH (April 2, 2002) - The Town of Swanzey has rejected a plea
from Pilgrim Pines Conference Center to waive more than $135,000 in
interest on back property tax payments for the years 1996-1999.
In February, the town issued a "Notice of Impending Tax" deed to the
conference center, giving the center 30 days to pay the property taxes,
which have been the subject of court disputes for a number of years.
The East Coast Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church, which
represents Pilgrim Pines as the plaintiff in the case, on March 25 sent
$224,447 to the Town of Swanzey, which represented the past-due tax
portion of the town's claim. They paid the remaining $135,313 in
interest charges to the town last Friday after the town's Board of
Selectmen rejected a request from the conference center to hold a
special town meeting to consider waiving the interest fees.
National Covenant Properties has issued a loan to Pilgrim Pines
Conference Center as part of the East Coast Conference to help fund
payment of the back taxes and interest. Individuals and churches within
the conference also have contributed more than $100,000 to help pay the
taxes, according to conference center Executive Director Bob DeJong.
The State Supreme Court of New Hampshire recently upheld a lower court
ruling against Pilgrim Pines, declaring that the Town of Swanzey was
within its rights in assessing property taxes on significant portions of
the Pilgrim Pines property. The town began to tax property and buildings
at Pilgrim Pines in November 1996. The town had not previously taxed the
property since the conference center opened in 1957.
In addition to the property taxes from 1996-1999, property taxes for
2000 and 2001 totaling some $150,000 will also need to be paid in order
to avoid further interest charges, DeJong said. Noting that interest
fees ranging from 12 to 18 percent can be assessed, DeJong said he hopes
the interest charges from 2000 and 2001 can be paid soon to avoid even
higher interest fee expenses..
Litigation seeking property tax abatement for the years 2000 and 2001 is
pending in the Cheshire County Superior Court. In the event a favorable
judgment is issued, the town would be required to reimburse Pilgrim
Pines for payments rendered plus six percent interest.
DeJong said the conference center appreciates the prayer and financial
resources that are being given to help the conference center through a
difficult period. While he remains hopeful that ministry will continue
as usual, he fears that other churches and
non-profit organizations will soon be feeling the same financial pinch
Pilgrim Pines is facing.
"As for now, we are investing great energy into daily and year-round
ministry," DeJong said of the year-round camp and conference center
activities. "Our theme for the year is 'Great Expectations,' based upon
the Jeremiah 29:11 scripture, and we believe that there are great plans
for us. But society is exacting property taxes from many sources and the
church is no exception. Churches have had to pay exorbitant back taxes
and so have non-profits.
"The pressure is incredible for towns to find revenue and . . . often
times they fail to see the benefit of non-profits unless they see great
individual impact in the community that benefits that particular
organization," DeJong continued. "We're co-public servants and the town
is not seeing the benefits of the non-cash gifts and services we are
providing the community."
For more information about the Pilgrim Pines case, call DeJong at
603-352-0443 or the East Coast Conference staff at 860-635-2691.
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