 |
Town of Antrim–Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
February 14, 2017
Members Present: John Robertson, Robert L. Edwards
Absent: Michael Genest
Staff Present: Donna Hanson
Chairman Robertson opened the Public Hearing on the proposed 2017 Warrant and Budget.
- Mr. Robertson presented Article 3 and introduced Ms. Melissa Gallagher from the Grapevine to speak on the article. Jacqueline Roland, Avenue A Coordinator also spoke on the article - To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of twelve thousand dollars ($12,000.00) to support the Teen/Community Center. These funds will be contributed to the Grapevine Family & Community Resource Center, a nonprofit service organization which is responsible for the operation of the Teen Center. (Majority vote required)
- Mr. Robertson moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Edwards seconded. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (2/0)
- Mr. Edwards presented Article 4 - To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Antrim Board of Selectmen to acquire a conservation easement on 100+/- acres of land owned by the Antrim Limited Partnership (Map-Lot 235-014) as provided in the June 27, 2013 Conservation Easement Letter of Intent between the Antrim Board of Selectmen, Antrim Wind Energy, LLC and Charles S. Bean, III; and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to amend, change or modify any terms, conditions, financial consideration between the proposed Grantee and Grantor as may be in the best interests of the Town in the sole opinion of the Board of Selectmen and to assign said Conservation Easement Agreement and /or the Conservation Letter of Intent to a qualified conservation organization as defined by Section 170 (h) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
- The LOI provides that the Conservation Easement to be acquired at no cost to the Town and that Antrim Wind Energy, LLC will make a one-time payment of $10,000 for future monitoring.
- The Chairman of the Conservation Commission, Mr. Peter Beblowski also spoke on the article stating the Conservation Commission is not interested in holding the easement and they feel the article should not go forward.
- Mr. Robertson presented Article 5 - To see if the Town will vote to discontinue the Capital Reserve Fund set up as the Open Space Reserve Fund created in 2008. Said funds, with accumulated interest to date of withdrawal are to be transferred to the Town’s General Fund. (Majority vote required)
- Mr. Edwards moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Robertson seconded. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (2/0)
- Mr. Robertson presented Article 6 - To see if the Town will vote to discontinue the Capital Reserve Fund set up as the Revaluation Reserve Fund . Said funds, with accumulated interest to date of withdrawal are to be transferred to the Town’s General Fund. (Majority vote required)
- Mr. Edwards moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Robertson seconded. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (2/0)
- Mr. Robertson presented Article 7 - To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred and fifty two thousand three hundred and seventy five dollars ($252,375.00) to be added to the present Capital Reserve Funds in the following manner: Bridge $212,375.00, Highway $10,000.00, Recreational Fields $15,000.00, Fire Department $15,000.00. (Majority vote required)
- Mr. Edwards moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Robertson seconded. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (2/0)
- Mr. Robertson presented Article 8 - Shall the town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of one million two hundred and eight thousand four hundred and fifty nine dollars ($1,208,459) for the purpose of municipally managing a NH Department of Transportation State Aid Bridge grant for the design engineering, permitting, and replacement of the West Street Bridge. Of the appropriation, up to nine hundred and forty two thousand five hundred ninety two dollars ($942,592) will come from NHDOT State Bridge Aid, two hundred sixty five thousand eight hundred sixty eight ($265,868) will come from the existing Bridge Capital Reserve fund. This is a non-lapsing Article and will not lapse until 12/31/2021 or until the project is completed whichever comes first. (Majority vote required)
- Mr. Edwards moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Robertson seconded. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (2/0)
- Mr. Edwards presented Article 9 - To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred and twelve thousand dollars ($112,000.00) for the replacement of the Grove Street Bridge and authorize the withdrawal of forty one thousand one hundred ninety dollars ($41,190.00) from the Bridge Capital Reserve Fund created for that purpose. The balance of seventy thousand eight hundred ten dollars ($70,810.00) is to come from Unassigned Fund Balance.
- This is a non-lapsing Article and will not lapse until 12/31/2020 or until the project is completed whichever comes first. (Majority vote required)
- Road Agent, Mr. Jim Plourde also spoke on Article 9.
- Mr. Edwards moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Robertson seconded. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (2/0)
- Mr. Robertson presented Article 10 - To see if the town will vote to establish a Dam Capital Reserve Fund under the provisions of RSA 35:1 for maintenance and upkeep and to raise and appropriate the sum of sixteen thousand dollars ($16,000.00) to be placed in this fund. Further, to name the Selectmen 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 (2/0)
- Mr. Edwards presented Article 11 - To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of thirty three thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars ($33,750) for the purpose of purchasing and outfitting a Police Cruiser and to authorize the sale or trade-in of the current 2011 Chevy Caprice that will be replaced and to apply those proceeds towards this purchase. This sum to come from Unassigned Fund Balance and no amount to be raised by taxation. (Majority vote required)
- Police Chief Scott Lester also spoke on Article 11.
- Mr. Edwards moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Robertson seconded. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (2/0)
- Mr. Robertson presented Article 12 - To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of twenty seven thousand nine hundred and four dollars ($27,904.00) for the purpose of converting streetlights in Antrim to Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights. $10,900 will be reimbursed by Eversource as part of their Incentive program. This is a non-lapsing Article and will not lapse until 12/31/2020 or until the project is completed whichever comes first. (Majority vote required)
- Mr. Edwards moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Robertson seconded. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (2/0)
- Mr. Edwards presented Article 13 - To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of forty thousand dollars ($40,000.00) for modernizing the Town Hall Elevator and authorize the withdrawal of Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000.00) from the Town Building Capital Reserve Fund created for that purpose. This is a non-lapsing Article and will not lapse until 12/31/2020 or until the project is completed whichever comes first. (Majority vote required)
- Mr. Robertson moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Edwards seconded. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (2/0)
- Ms. Hanson presented Article 14 - To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of four million, ninety five thousand, two hundred and seventy four dollars ($4,095,274) for general operating costs of the Town (this appropriation includes $469,250.00 for the Water & Sewer Departments 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. Edwards moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Robertson seconded. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (2/0)
- Mr. Robertson presented Article 15 - Shall the Town of Antrim vote to adopt the provisions of RSA 72:28-b, All Veterans’ Tax Credit? If adopted, the credit will be available to any resident, or the spouse or surviving spouse of any resident, who (1) served not less than 90 days on active service in the armed forces of the United States and was honorably discharged or an officer honorably separated from services and is not eligible for or receiving a credit under RSA 72:28 or RSA 72:35. If adopted, the credit granted will be $500.00, the same amount as the standard or optional veterans’ tax credit voted by the Town of Antrim under RSA 72:28. (Majority vote required)
- Mr. Edwards moved to recommend the article as written. Mr. Robertson seconded. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (2/0)
- Article 16 - By Petition of 25 or more voters of the Town of Antrim:
- We, the registered voters of Antrim, New Hampshire proudly proclaim that We Stand With Standing Rock because:
- The builders of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) on Standing Rock Dakota Sioux tribal land (Fort Laramie Treaties of 1851 and 1868) have desecrated ancestral burial grounds and threatened the drinking water of the Dakota people and the drinking water of everyone downstream on the Missouri River.
- Reminiscent of the brutality of Bull Connor against the 1960s civil rights movement, peaceful, unarmed, prayerful Water Protectors have been attacked with rubber bullets, dogs, mace, percussion grenades, and water cannon in below-freezing weather by highly-militarized police forces.
- Therefore, we demand our state and federal elected officials stop disregarding the laws of our country, honor all First Nations treaties, and remember that water is life for all of us.
- Article 17 – To hear any reports of committees and act thereon.
- Article 18 – To transact any other business that may legally come before this meeting.
After no further business Mr. Robertson moved to adjourn at 8:45 p.m., Mr. Edwards seconded. Passed 2/0
Respectfully submitted, Donna Hanson
| |
