Selectboard Minutes

Meeting date:

Monday, August 24, 2020

TOWN OF ANTRIM
Select Board Meeting Minutes
Monday, August 24, 2020
9:00 am at Town Hall (face mask required)

Board Members Present: Michael Genest, Chairman; John Robertson, Selectman; Robert L. Edwards, Selectman

Staff Present: Donna Hanson, Town Administrator; Diane Chauncey, Town Clerk

Agenda Items:

I. Approval of Minutes

Mr. Robertson moved to approve the minutes of August 10, 2020. Mr. Edwards seconded. Passed as amended 3/0

II. Police Cruiser Bids

The Board reviewed the market value of the cruiser and felt the bid of $6,000.00 was too low. The minimum bid required was $6,500.00. The bid process will be repeated and begin Tuesday, August 25, 2020.

III. Election Review

Ms. Chauncey reviewed the procedures for the upcoming election. She discussed the Cares Act Election grant. Mr. Robinson moved to accept unanticipated funds from this grant and to designate Ms. Chauncey as signing authority. Mr. Edwards seconded. Passed 3/0

IV. Policy Procedure Review

Procedures and guidelines for Select Board procedures and a fraud policy were reviewed. Mr. Edwards submitted guidelines that he received from the town of Meredith that he felt were more in depth. Mr. Robertson and Mr. Genest wanted to stay with the first draft we had because they were shorter and they felt it was more to the point. Mr. Edwards would like to add ex-officio to the ZBA. Mr. Edwards as Select Board thinks a Select Board member should be able to vote on other boards other than the Planning board. Mr. Genest and Mr. Robertson disagree with this. Ms. Hanson said on other boards the Select Board members are considered liaisons or Select Board representatives not ex-officio. Ms. Hanson will research this. Mr. Robertson moved to approve the Fraud policy as amended. Mr. Edwards seconded. Passed 3/0. Mr. Genest moved to accept the BOS guidelines as amended. Mr. Edwards seconded. Passed 3/0

V. Meetings Attended

Mr. Genest attended the CIP meeting and said he would like to work with the road agent and the town administrator on getting an estimate for a modular at the Highway department which will contain an office, bathroom, and break room. He is hoping this will get the town through the next 10 years without having to spend over a million dollars redoing the entire facility. Mr. Edwards would also like to look at the site to see how best to accommodate future needs of the Transfer Station and Highway department. Mr. Robertson moved to approve Mr. Genest research on a modular. Mr. Edwards seconded. Passed 3/0. Mr. Genest asked for clarification on the water and sewer CIP request. They are seeking grants for the completion of the well, river crossing and treatment plant at a cost of approximately $1,600,000. They were requesting $600,000.00 of the total cost from general taxation. Mr. Edwards said they don’t really know at this point how much will need to be raised through taxation because that will depend on how much grant money they get. Mr. Genest asked if they are considering raising the user rates to afford this. He said the non-users had to supplement the cost of the Highland/Pleasant project because the Water & Sewer Commissioners said they needed the money for the well, river crossing, and treatment plant. Mr. Edwards said they will decide if they need to raise the rates after they know how much grant money they will receive.

VI. Town Administrator Update

Mr. Edwards moved to accept the resignation of Lauren Krikpatrick, Trustee of Trust Funds. Mr. Robertson seconded. Passed 3/0
A meeting with Quantum Construction Consultants will be scheduled to discuss the Gregg Lake Dam draft.
A parcel on High Street needs an address as they are building a house. It is recommended by the State of New Hampshire to name the driveway as a private road. The new house address should be 31 High Street and the abutting property already has that address. The owners of the property would like to name it Ezee Street. The Select Board would like to see if the State will approve Highland Ave Extension instead.

VII. Other Business

Mr. Genest asked Ms. Hanson to reach out to Joan Gorga to see if she wants to continue a meeting regarding lowering Gregg Lake. She was asked to have something in writing from Fish and Game and ask someone to attend the meeting that has experience with lake lowering, perhaps a representative from Newfound Lake.
Ms. Hanson said she believes Mr. Neff’s truck is not on town property but the building inspector disagrees. Ms. Hanson and Ms. Chauncey will go back out to the property and measure it based on what the deed says.

VIII. Non-Public

Timber tax abatement was submitted by Mark and Songna Lawrence of 339 Smith Road. Mr. Edwards moved to deny the abatement. Mr. Robertson seconded. Discussion ensued that the property owner has already received the proceeds of the cut. The bill has been paid by the property owner. Passed 3/0.

IX. Schedule

X. Closing

Respectfully submitted,
Donna Hanson, Town Administrator

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