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Town of Antrim – Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
March 8, 2012
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Michael Genest in the Antrim Town Hall.
Members Present: Mr. Genest, Mr. Tenney and Mr. Robertson
Staff Present: Galen Stearns (Town Administrator)
- Mr. Genest motioned to approve the minutes of February 21, 2012, Mr. Tenney 2nd, passed 2/0/1
- Mr. Genest motioned to approve the sealed non-public minutes of February 7, 2012, Mr. Tenney 2nd, passed 2/0/1
Mr. Genest read the following opening statement:
Thank you everyone for coming tonight, the Selectmen, Town Administrator and our Town Attorney (Robert Upton) have been working with Antrim Wind Energy and their attorney to draft the agreement that we have tonight. We have heard comments and received questions fro residents who seem to think that this agreement is the same as the PILOT ( Payment In Lieu of Taxes) that we are also working on, so before we get started, I would like to try and explain the difference between these 2 documents.
First, the PILOT or Payment in Lieu of Taxes, this is a special exception to property taxes permitted by RSA 72:73 & 74 for Renewable Generation Facilities. The only other authorized Payments in Lieu of Taxes is per RSA 72:23-n which states the governing body of any municipality may enter into negotiations for a voluntary payment in lieu of taxes from otherwise fully or partially tax exempt properties. Typically this is non-profit organizations which own property and are exempt from taxes but feel they want to contribute towards any services that they may require. Presently we receive payments from Audubon Society of NH, Welcoming Light and NH Forest Protection. At this time, these are the only PILOT’s authorized the RSA’s in Antrim. We are in
negotiations with Antrim Wind Energy on a PILOT but have not reached an agreement at this time.
The agreement or contract that we are looking at tonight, deals with project specific requirements that we feel we need to have in place to cover us. This agreement will be reviewed by the NH Site Evaluation Committee during their deliberations. Both Lempster and Groton projects had agreements between the Towns and the developer which the SEC incorporated into their Order and Certificate of Site and Facility decisions. The SEC will impose additional conditions or more restrictive requirements as they feel necessary when granting a certificate for site and facility.
We are here to hear input from you, but are not debating the each specific issue. If you would please state your name and address when you are recognized and please keep your comments specifically to the agreement. I would like to allow everyone a chance to speak so please keep your comments brief and to a reasonable time.
Mr. Genest then opened the meeting for comments from the public – the following paragraphs in the contract were questioned by various residents:
1.4, 1.5, 1.8, 1.14, 2.3.1, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 3.1.1, 6.1, 6.2, 8.1, 9.4, 9.7.2, 9.7.3, 12.2, 14.1.1, 14.1.2, 14.2.1, 14.2.2, 14.2.3, 14.2.5, 14.3.2, 16.1
Various residents voice opposition to signing the agreement and various residents voiced support to sign the agreement.
Mr. Genest motioned to sign the agreement, Mr. Robertson 2nd. Passed 3/0
- Mr. Stearns presented the board with a request to continue the practice of paying for lifeguard certification course for potential lifeguards. The board continues to support this practice to maintain a pool of lifeguards for the Town Beach.
- Mr. Tenney was excused at 9:14 PM
- Mr. Robertson motioned to go into Non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 II a Public Employee, Mr. Genest 2nd. Roll vote all in favor passed 2/0
- The board returned from non-public at 9:46 PM, Mr. Genest motioned to seal the minutes of the non-public session, Mr. Robertson 2nd passed 2/0
- There being no further business, the Mr. Robertson motioned to adjourn, Mr. Genest 2nd, passed 2/0 meeting adjourned at 9:47 PM.
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