Town of Antrim – Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
November 3, 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).
Others Present: Other as noted for appointments.
1. Approval of Minutes
VOTE: Selectman Webber moved that the minutes of the October 20, 2008 meeting be 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.
VOTE: Selectman Webber moved that the non-public minutes of the October 20, 2008 meeting be 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.
VOTE: Selectman Schacht moved that the minutes of the October 21, 2008 special meeting be accepted as printed. Selectman Webber 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.
VOTE: Selectman Schacht moved that the minutes of the October 22, 2008 special meeting be accepted as printed. Selectman Webber 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 Town Planner Bradley Houseworth
Town Planner Houseworth presented his proposed 2009 budget to the Board. It was noted that the Town is working to bring Mr. Houseworth’s salary into the range where it should be. Mr. Houseworth noted that he would like to review the cost to the applicant of subdivisions and move toward having applicants cover all the costs. The overall planning budget, when additional revenue is taken into consideration is down $1,134 or 1.63%.
3. Meeting with the Cemetery Trustees.
The Cemetery Trustees did not attend the meeting. Administrator Cass will schedule them for a later date.
4. Meeting with Building Inspector Jeff Parsons.
Building Inspector Parsons presented his proposed 2009 budget. The proposal includes an increase in the hours allocated for the Building Inspector from 28 hours per week to 34 hours per week. This would allow him time to attend training classes. The proposed budget also included funds to purchase copies of additional code books. The budget as proposed would be a 16% increase. Selectmen discussed the need for more hours, especially during slow building times. Selectman Webber stated he would like to see the additional hours, if not more. Selectmen requested that the Building Inspector provide them with a comparison of the Antrim building fees to other towns. Selectmen will discuss the budget
further at their next meeting.
5. Meeting with Road Agent Bob Varnum.
Road Agent Varnum presented his proposed 2009 budget.
a. The preference of the Board and the Road Agent is to do the Highland avenue
project in 2010.
b. HWY Street Paving/Road Improvements will include chip sealing, crack
sealing, Holt Hill work, sand and the shim and overlay of the south end of
North Main Street.
c. Overall, the total highway budget shows a decrease of $83,500 or 10%.
d. No new equipment is being proposed this year, but the Town should plan to
buy a chipper in the near future.
Selectmen approved the hiring of Clark Craig III (Chip) to fill the fulltime position open at the Highway Department.
6. Review of the Administrative Budgets.
The administrative budgets are either level or show a decrease with the exception of the Employee Benefits budgets which is showing a substantial increase due to NH Retirement and the cost of health insurance. The Town Administrator will provide a summary of all budgets for review by the Board at the next meeting to determine the overall budget picture for 2009.
7. Town Administrator Updates.
a. A letter is being sent to the Basanti family updating them on the progress for
curbing near their home.
b. The Town Administrator will be a the NH Local Government Center
conference on November 12 and 13.
c. Tax rate setting will be held Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 11:30 a.m.
There being no further business, the Board decided by consensus to adjourn at 7:40 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, November 17, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.
Recorder: Neal A. Cass
Date: November 6, 2008
Approved by the Board of Selectmen on November 17, 2008.
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