Selectboard Minutes
Town of Antrim–Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
February 8, 2021
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Selectman Michael Genest
Members Present: John Robertson, Robert L. Edwards
Staff Present: Donna Hanson
Chairman Genest opened the Public Hearing on the proposed 2021 Warrant and Budget.
Ms. Hanson read the Public Hearing notice and stated that it has been posted in the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript on January 19, 2021 as well as on the town hall bulletin board and at the local post office bulletin board.
I. Mr. Genest presented Article 3 - To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Million Six Hundred Eighty-Five Thousand Dollars ($2,685,000) for the replacement of the main water line under the Contoocook River and connection of the new well to the distribution system, and to authorize the issuance of not more than Two Million One Hundred Forty-Eight Thousand Dollars ($2,148,000) of bonds or notes under and in accordance with Municipal Finance Act, RSA 33:1 et eq., as amended; and to authorize the Select Board 1) to apply for, obtain and accept federal, state and other aid, if any, which may be available for said project and to comply with all laws applicable to said project, 2) to issue, negotiate, sell and deliver said bonds and notes, 3) determine the rate of interest thereon and the maturity and other terms thereof, 4) accept a Five Hundred Thirty-Seven Thousand Dollars ($537,000) Grant from the State of NH Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund, which has received preliminary approval, and (6) to take any other action or pass any other vote relative thereto. (3/5 ballot vote required)
NOTE: Without impairing the general obligation nature of the bonds or notes, it is the intention of the town that 60% of the bond or note will be funded by the water users.
Mr. Genest moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Robertson seconded. Mr. Edwards said he is for the project but he wants the split to be 50/50 and not 60/40. He thinks the responsibility lies with the town for the infrastructure. Mr. Genest and Mr. Robertson think it should be the responsibility of the water users to pay for 60% since they are receiving the service.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (2/1)
II. Mr. Edwards presented Article 4 - To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty-Two Thousand Dollars ($32,000) for vehicle exhaust extraction systems for the Highway Department and to authorize the withdrawal of Thirty-two Thousand Dollars ($32,000) from the Town Government Buildings Capital Reserve Fund created for that purpose. This will protect our Highway personnel and the general public from cancer-causing effects of vehicle exhaust emissions. Current changes in health and safety standards have clearly identified that vehicle exhaust emissions, in particular, whole diesel exhaust (PM10) may be harmful. (Majority vote required) Mr. Edwards moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Robertson seconded. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3/0)
III. Mr. Genest presented Article 5 - To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) for the purpose of an addition for the Highway Department. This would include, but not limited to, an office, bathroom, and break room. This sum to come from unassigned fund balance. (Majority vote required) Mr. Genest moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Robertson seconded. Mr. Edwards would like to have a study done for the Highway and Transfer Station area to see what is needed before adding on to the existing building. He fells more research should be done. If this article fails, he would like to recommend that the money be put in highway capital reserves. Mr. Genest said he thinks it is important that an addition or modular is needed now for the safety of the highway staff to have a place to rest when on breaks from plowing. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (2/1)
IV. Mr. Robertson presented Article 6 - To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Sixty Five Thousand Dollars $(65,000) for the purchase of two compact rollers for the Highway Department and authorize the withdrawal of Sixty Five Thousand Dollars $(65,000) from the Highway capital reserves created for that purpose. The rollers will be approximately ten-ton and two-ton. (Majority vote required) Mr. Robertson moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Genest seconded. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3/0)
V. Mr. Genest presented Article 7 - To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars ($370,000) to be added to the present Capital Reserve Funds in the following manner:
Fire - $65,000
Bridge - $75,000
Highway - $70,000
Park & Recreational - $30,000
Dam Maintenance - $100,000
Town Government - $30,000
(Majority vote required)
Mr. Genest moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Edwards seconded. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3/0)
Mr. Genest moved to rescind the vote so that $20,000 for the Police be removed. Mr. Edwards seconded. Passed 3/0
Mr. Genest moved to recommend the article as amended. Mr. Robertson seconded. Passed 3/0
VI. Mr. Robertson presented Article 8 - To see if the town will vote to establish a Police Capital Reserve Fund under the provisions of RSA 35:1 for IT upgrades and replacements and to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) to be placed in this fund. Further, to name the Select Board as agents to expend from said fund. (Majority Vote Required) Mr. Edwards moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Robertson seconded. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3/0)
VII. Mr. Robertsons presented Article 9 - To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) for the purpose of continuing the update to the Town assessments in compliance with RSA 21-J:11-a and RSA 75:8-a. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will not lapse until the project is complete or December 31, 2025, whichever is sooner. (Majority vote required) Mr. Robertson moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Edwards seconded. Recommended by the Select Board 3/0
VIII. Mr. Edwards presented Article 10 - To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for repairs to Gregg Lake Dam and authorize the withdrawal of $5,000 from the Dam Capital Reserve Funds created for that purpose. (Majority vote required) Mr. Edwards moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Genest seconded. Recommended by the Select Board 3/0
IX. Mr. Genest presented Article 10 - To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Million, Four Hundred Thirty-Six Thousand, Nine Hundred Seventy-Two Dollars ($4,436,972) for general operating costs of the Town (this appropriation includes Seven Hundred Two Thousand Four Hundred Eighty-Three Dollars ($702,483) for the Water & Sewer Department as set forth in the town budget). This article does not include appropriations contained in special or individual articles addressed separately.
(Majority vote required) Mr. Genest moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Edwards. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3/0)
X. By Petition - Article 11 – By Petition: To see if the town will vote to establish a Community Services and Care Planning Board in accordance with RSA 678 to achieve the mission of enhancing the public health, community well-being, quality of life, prosperity, and safety of Antrim residents. Said Board, to be called The Antrim Community Board, shall consist of 5 Members and up to 3 alternate members in accordance with RSA 678:3. In the first year of the board's existence, Members shall be appointed by the Selectboard to the following terms: two Members to a 1-year term; two Members to a 2-year term; and one Member to a 3-year term. Subsequent Members shall be elected at the annual Town election for 3-year terms, except that the Selectboard shall fill all vacancies for their unexpired term. Up to three alternate members may be appointed by the Selectboard for 1-year terms.
XI. NH Resolution for Fair Nonpartisan Redistricting
By petition of 25 or more eligible voters of the town of Antrim to see if the town will vote to urge that the New Hampshire General Court, which is obligated to redraw the maps of political districts within the state following the federal census, will ensure fair and effective representation of New Hampshire voters without gerrymandering.
Additionally, these voters ask the town of Antrim to urge the NH General Court to carry out the redistricting in a fair and transparent way through public meetings, not to favor a particular political party, to include communities of interest, and to minimize multi-seat districts. The record of the vote approving this article shall be transmitted by written notice from the selectmen to Antrim's state legislators, informing them of the demands from their constituents within 30 days of the vote.
XII. Article 14 – To hear any reports of committees and act thereon.
XIII. Article 15 – To transact any other business that may legally come before this meeting.
Mr. Genest moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Robertson seconded. Passed 3/0
After no further business Mr. Genest moved to adjourn at 7:50 p.m., Mr. Edwards seconded. Passed 3/0
Respectfully submitted, Donna Hanson