Promoting and supporting an affordable quality of life for all residents, fostering a vibrant community and preserving natural resources are the priorities of Antrim’s master plan.

“We want all kinds of people to be able to live in Antrim,” said Select Board representative to the Planning Board Bob Edwards at Thursday night’s master plan work session. “We have a beautiful community, but right now no one can afford to live here.”

New Hampshire towns are required by state law to present an updated master plan every 10 years.  Antrim’s last plan was finalized in 2010; development of the revised plan was postponed due to the COVID pandemic.

The Planning Board has been revising the updated plan for the past year. The master plan process has included community surveys, visioning sessions, and outreach to community groups. 

The draft of the master plan states that the goal of the document is to “Capture Antrim’s overarching vision and provide a cohesive framework for the town’s future.”

The first section of the plan outlines the board’s vision for “One Antrim,” in which “town departments work seamlessly together for the good of the community.”

Priorities in the plan include fostering sustainable economic development, protecting Antrim’s natural resources, particularly water and watersheds; and incentivizing the creation of attainable and diverse housing options.

“We need to prioritize the responsible development of land, but we are looking for balance with preserving our clean air and water and natural resources as well,” said Planning Board Chair Mark Murdough. 

Planning Board member Lynne Rosansky said that the board needed to think long-term about water resources.

“We have been blessed that we have not had to worry  about water in this region for hundreds of years,” Rosansky said. “But in another hundred years, we could be California. The time to think long-term is now.”

After discussing a suggestion from board member Dennis Young,  the board voted to add a section to the plan stating Antrim’s commitment to exploring energy independence in the future. 

“We do need to start looking at all opportunities for local energy production,” Rubin said. “Whatever we do should benefit the whole town.”

The new language states that  Antrim will strive to “support local economic development by keeping energy dollars within the community.”  

Planning Board offers photo contest

The Antrim Planning Board has launched a year-long photo contest with the goal of capturing photos for to be included in the town’s master plan. 

The contest is open to “anyone with a camera.” 

“We all kind of came up with the idea together,” Murdough said. “The master plan is supposed to include visuals, so we thought this was a perfect opportunity to include the community.” 

Photographs will accepted in four categories representing the four seasons. A prize of $100  for the best photograph in each category will be awarded. 

Suggested subjects include small town charm, natural beauty and recreation, community engagement, arts and culture, business and economy and family and welcoming atmosphere. 

Information for the contest states: “The significance of a master plan in guiding a community's overall character, physical form, growth, and development cannot be overstated.  It serves as a vital tool to local officials, helping them make informed decisions on budgets, capital improvements, zoning and subdivision matters, and other crucial aspects of development. A well-executed master plan enables officials to control growth and deal with change responsibly, fostering constructive development in the community.” 

Photographers can submit their photos by email or by scanning  the QR code at antrimnh.org/home/news/master-plan-photography-contest. For information, send email to planning@antrimnh.gov. 

The contest is open until Dec. 31.