Nate Giarnese

Lakefront homeowners, upset that soaring land assessments are driving tax bills out of reach of some retirees, were told Monday to apply for tax abatements.

Jean Hansen runs a web-based stencil design business. George Eisener is a builder. The two hard-driving entrepreneurs live on a desirable road in a part of town that has seen its lakefront land values explode in recent years.

Lakefront tax hikes are driving full-time residents off the water, selectmen and an Ossipee Lake area homeowners' representative said Monday.

pponents of a plan to create a public beach on Ossipee Lake won a small victory at town hall Monday, when selectmen agreed to let them post photographs on a bulletin board.

Selectmen offered little response Monday to a Long Sands Road resident's complaint that the board editorialized on a divisive public beach battle when a selectman posted a one-sided commentary at town hall.