Town of Antrim – Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
October 27, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Michael Genest in the Little Town Hall at the Antrim Town Hall.
Members Present: Michael Genest, Steve Schacht, and Gordon Webber
Staff Present: Neal Cass (Town Administrator), Matt Henry (Intern), Scott Lester (Chief of Police).
Others Present: Michael Pon (Villager Reporter) and other as noted for appointments.
1. Approval of Minutes
VOTE: Selectman Webber moved that the minutes of the October 6, 2008 meeting by accepted as printed. Selectman Schacht seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, Chairman Genest call for the vote. All members voted in favor and the Chairman declared the motion carried.
2. Meeting with Fire Chief Mike Beauchamp and Deputy Marshal Gale.
a. Chief Beauchamp presented the proposed 2009 budget for the Fire Department. The proposal is a $5,000 decrease over 2008. Chief Beauchamp will obtain firm figures on dispatching. Selectmen questioned whether training could be done with other towns and the Chief explained why they do not support doing this.
b. A proposal from Midwest Fire Equipment & Repair Company for a new tanker was presented to Selectmen for review. The Fire Department would like to move this purchase into 2009. The cost of trucks is increasing dramatically so buying a truck earlier than scheduled may save the Town money. Selectmen asked the Fire Department to assemble more facts and figures and bring them for the Board to consider.
3. Meeting with Police Chief Scott Lester.
a. Chief Lester recommended that the Town of Antrim hire Ryan Storro of Antrim as a patrol officer. By consensus the Board voted to hire Mr. Storro.
b. Selectmen opened the sealed bids for the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. By consensus the Board accepted the high bid of $1,1119.00 from Bay Ridge Motors Inc. Other bidders were William Doucette’s Auto Sales ($1,111.00) and Tri-State Auto Brokers ($663.00).
c. Chief Lester presented his proposed 2009 budget to the Board. The Chief explained the advantages of having a local dispatch. The Board commented at the thorough job the Chief has done. Selectman Genest stated that the Board would like to work to have this budget be level with the 2008 budget with the exception of computer services which have been moved from another line in the budget.
4. Meeting with Library Trustees Margaret Warner, Janis King, Constance Kirwin, and Sandy Snow.
a. Library Trustees presented their proposed 2009 budget to the Selectmen.
1. The total cost of the library addition came within a couple hundred dollars of what was allocated.
2. Recent landscaping was not part of the original project. Many plants were donated and TIF is paying a portion.
3. The parking lot is a town lot that was created and paved by the town.
4. Selectmen felt that the proposed increase of $6,655.67 or 4.88% was higher than they wished. Board members said they would like the budget to come in flat. Also, there should be an offset for the proposed salary increase. It was suggested the trustees look at the electric, fuel, salary, and books/media lines for possible reductions.
5. Meeting with Intern Matt Henry.
a. Mr. Henry presented a review and plan of the possibility of the Town creating the position of Public Works Director. The Board will review the entire report. Selectmen decided that a meeting would be scheduled with all who could be affected by any change. At that meeting Mr. Henry will present his report and a discussion will begin on how to proceed in the future.
6. Member Update – Regional Prosecution
a. Selectman Genest updated the Board on the Regional Prosecution meeting held this past week. The budget was reviewed at the meeting and as proposed, with the addition of New Ipswich, the Antrim share will drop in 2009. There was also discussion at the meeting of changing our affiliation with the Juvenile Diversion program. Selectman Genest is representing Antrim on a small committee charged with looking at options.
7. Non-public Session
VOTE: Selectman Schacht moved that the Board of Selectmen enter into Non-Public session under the provision of RSA 91-A:3 II (d). Selectman Webber seconded the motion. Chairman Genest called for the vote. Selectman Webber, Schacht and Genest voted in favor and the Chairman declared the motion carried (3-0).
The Board entered Non-Public Session at 8:15 p.m. returning to open session at 8:24 p.m.
VOTE: Selectman Webber moved that the minutes of the just concluded Non-Public Session be sealed. Selectman Schacht seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, Chairman Genest call for the vote. All members voted in favor and the Chairman declared the motion carried.
8. Town Administrator Neal Cass updated the Board on the following items:
a. The 2007 Antrim Town Report has won third place in than annual Local Government Center contest for town with a population of 1501-3000.
b. The oil contract with Irving Oil is set and deliveries have been arranged.
c. The new propane furnace is installed at the North Branch Fire Station.
d. The streetlight being installed near the Aiken Barn is on the PSNH worklist.
e. Selectmen approved by consensus the hiring of Mason Gloudemans to work at the ARTS.
f. Road Agent Varnum and Administrator Cass will present a candidate to the Board for the open Highway Department position at the next meeting.
There being no further business, the Board decided by consensus to adjourn at 8:34 p.m. The Board will hold Special Meetings on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Monday, November 3, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.
Recorder: Neal A. Cass
Date: October 28, 2008
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