LYNDEBOROUGH – Jetvana Temple Forest Monastery, a group of Buddhist monks in Temple, recently purchased over 100 acres of adjoining land in Lyndeborough and are seeking a religious tax exemption.

The parcel was previously owned by Tom and Ginny Chrisenson.

Town Assessor David Marazoff has recommended it be denied because, he told them and the Board of Selectmen on Wednesday, July 26, “following current state guidelines, he did not find any sign of the property being used for religious purposes.”

The Monastery purchased the former Derbyshire Farm in Temple in 2013.

Co-Abbot Jayanto Bhikkhu described the group’s activities and uses of the property.

“Forest Monastery is a tradition of living in the woods,” he said. “In cold countries, of course, you can’t do that. Our emphasis is on being in the world for meditation. We go on the land, sometimes staying, walking from tree to tree, to be able to do more with wild land. We have no plans to build on the land,” he added, although there are huts for meditation, small shelter without water or electricity.”

Group activities, eating and showers, are at the existing farm buildings.

“We want to establish this for future generations of monks. We are using it all the time.”

There is very little tax money involved since the property is in current use.

Code Enforcement Officer Leo Trudeau explained the town’s regulations concerning building permits, and what is allowed without one.

Bhikkhu said any mediation platforms would be smaller. He was asked for a map of the property showing the location of all such structures, “all the points of meditation,” and one will be provided.

Marazoff said he wanted more information and would consult with officials in Temple.

The Selectmen said they would wait for that information but would make a decision at the next meeting of the board on Aug. 9.

In other business on Wednesday, the board approved the appointments of Doug Powers and David Roemer as full members of the Conservation Commission and making current member Mike Decubelis an alternate.

A public hearing will be held on a request to donate $5,000 to the Piscatquog Land Trust toward the preservation of a parcel adjoining the town forest on Rose Mountain.

A presentation on the digitization of town records will be held on Aug. 23.

Trudeau asked the board to provide a “legal definition of a property line” for set-back purposes regarding septic systems. Where is the lot line along a road, edge of the right0of-way or the center of the road? Town Counsel will be consulted on wording and the Planning Board will also be consulted.

The next meeting of the board was set for Wednesday, Aug. 9, 6 p.m., in the town office.