Selectboard Minutes

TOWN OF ANTRIM
Select Board Meeting Minutes
Monday, January 6, 2020
5:00 pm Town Hall

Board Members Present: John Robertson, Chairman; Michael Genest, Selectman, Robert L. Edwards, Selectman; Mr. Genest left the meeting at 6:40 for work.

Staff Present: Donna Hanson, Town Administrator; Scott Lester, Police Chief; Jim Plourde, Road Agent

Others Present: Steve Ullman, Library Trustee

Agenda Items:

1. Approval of Minutes – Public

• Mr. Genest moved to accept the meeting minutes of December 4, 2019.  Mr. Edwards seconded. Passed  3/0   

1. Preliminary Warrant Review

• Mr. Ullman reviewed the warrant article for painting and repairs to the Library building.
• Chief Lester discussed the need for a new police cruiser. He would like to trade in the 2012 cruiser that is being replaced unless the trade-in value is too low. If that is the case, he would like to keep it for travel to and from the courts instead of officers using their personal vehicles. Mr. Genest is not in favor of having a fourth police cruiser. Chief Lester will report back to the Select Board with the estimated value of the cruiser.
• Mr. Plourde is requesting radios for the Highway department due to the old radios becoming obsolete.  Mr. Plourde also talked about the backhoe that would be used for the Transfer Station. The High Street Bridge will be a timber bridge. There would be cost savings to do it now because it won’t be eligible for the 80/20 state bridge program for another 8 to 10 years and our cost would be much higher at that time.
• Ms. Hanson reviewed the warrant article request from the Fire Department because Chief Gale was not able to attend the meeting.

1. Speed Warning Signs

• The Department of Transportation (DOT) forwarded a request to the Select Board from a resident regarding installation of speed warning signs on Route 9 near the North Branch Fire Station. After consulting with the Police Chief, Fire Chief and DOT it was decided that the use of speed warning signs would not necessarily cause drivers to reduce their speed. Speed warning signs are more effective on roads with lower speed limits.

1. Meetings Attended

• Mr. Robertson attended the Planning Board Meeting. He discussed the presentation by Fire Chief Gale who would like to initiate the Knox Box program. This involves installation of lock boxes on Antrim businesses that allow the fire department to enter buildings in an emergency. The Planning Board does not recommend this be mandatory. Chief Gale will also present this to the Select Board at a future meeting.
• Mr. Genest said he will not be able to attend the next Park & Recreation meeting. Mr. Edwards will attend in his place.

1. Town Administrator Update

• Mr. Edwards moved to allow Ms. Hanson to sign all documents that relate to the lease for the 2020 International highway truck. Mr. Genest seconded. Passed3/0
• Mr. Genest suggested a letter be written to the School requesting 50% reimbursement for the sanding of the town gym floor that the town has already paid for.
• Ms. Hanson was accepted into the Government Accounting Certificate program sponsored by the NH Government Finance Officers Association. There will be no cost to the town as she received a financial scholarship.
• Town report will be dedicated to the first responders.

1. Non-Public Session RSA 91-A:3, II (c) Tax Assistance

• Mr. Edwards moved to go into non-public in accordance with RSA 91-A:3, II (c). Mr. Robertson seconded. Passed 2/0

1. Non-Public Minutes Sealed

• The non-public minutes were sealed.

1. Adjournment

• Mr. Robertson moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:55 PM; Mr. Edwards seconded. Passed 2/0

Respectfully submitted,
Donna Hanson, Town Administrator