April 19. 2023 Breakfast Meeting Notes

April 19, 2023 Breakfast Meeting Notes

Bob Glassett addresses the meeting. See below for details.

 

We began with Tony’s NH Trivia: Woodcutter’s Ball edition. Note that Tony will be off next week; Denise requested that we try to bring correct change for her.

 

The 50/50 was won by Peggy.

Alex drew the chance to find the ace of spades but was unsuccessful. The game continues.

 

Our guest speaker today, hosted by Alicia, was Bob Glassett of the NH Homebuilder’s Association, Lakes region chapter.. He has been with the association since 1994, advocating for the members at the state and local membership. For example, they worked with the state on regulations for shoreline building. The last few years have been difficult for the Association; there used to be 10 locals chapters and now there are only 4 due to COVID and economic conditions. 

 

One of the biggest challenges in the homebuilding industry is finding skilled tradesmen to work. It is expected that we will need 650,000 workers in the next few years to replace those who are retiring or leaving the field, and there aren’t nearly enough young people coming into the workforce. It’s also hard for NH workers to find affordable housing. So ten years ago the Homebuilder’s Association started a new tech center, the HUOT Center, to train young workers and they focused on affordable construction. Funding for the program comes from a golf tournament in June and the Parade of Homes on Columbus Day.

 

The state lottery initially helped them by funding construction of a tiny home on wheels to be built by school classes.  Several  schools were given a trailer and had to build the house on the trailer between September and March; then houses were put up on display at the annual Parade of Homes.The lottery sold tickets for “Tiny Home, Big Money” and everyone who didn’t win the money part of the drawing had their tickets placed into a secondary drawing. The winner of that drawing won the top tiny house, which was the one built here by the Lakes Region group. 

 

The Lakes region decided to continue  the program, starting with another wheeled home and then the last two years building a modular home that is to be installed on a foundation. Thew homes from the past two years were sold to single women. The homes are 12 x 36 feet, and come with appliances, a full kitchen and bath and bedroom. (Note that some towns require at least 500 square feet so people need to check with their town to see if this size home is permitted.) The students do roofing, siding, and plumbing but they have to get an electrician to rough in the electric system. The first one sold to someone in Bridgewater and was installed with  a walkout. Last year’s house went to Meredith and they have a potential buyer for this year’s house in Wolfeboro. The sale price is $85-90,000. In addition, the customer has to pay for septic, foundation, electrical hookup, etc. so the final cost of the home is approximately $150,000.

 

The program has succeeded in both of its goals. Some of the students from the program have gone on to be hired by people in the building trades in the state. And the tiny houses are affordable, unlike the vast majority of new construction here in New Hampshire. Bob noted that we have 20,000 new residents since the pandemic began and all of those people have to live somewhere. Newly-graduated students can expect to make around $20/hour and an experienced tradesman (or woman) can make $35-$40/hour.

 

The Association also sponsors a girls-only program in the state. In addition, they sponsor a scholarship program for college-bound students who want to go into a related field like architecture. They also have two-box awards, for a $500 grant so that the students can pick and choose whatever tools they want at a participating merchant. 

 

They have 3 classes per year (2 for juniors and 1 for seniors). Typically they take 15 students in each of the first year classes and they have around 18 students in 2nd year. Interest in the program has blossomed since they started to build the tiny homes.

 

Other announcements:

 

There will be a Board Meeting this Friday morning.

 

Styrofoam recycling is this Saturday. So far about 16 of us coming to help. Workers should arrive by 8:30. We could use A frame signs. Come in on the west side, stage at the O’Riley’s auto store side, and folks will exit on the east. If anyone has traffic cones, bring them (Alicia will do this). We are hoping to apply for a district grant to buy bins for Holderness, Plymouth, and Campton/Thornton transfer stations. Walter suggested that NH Beautiful might be willing to help fund bins as well.

 

Former member Harry Decker died last week at 79. Also former member Joe Bourque died last year. Both will be honored at the District Celebration at Jay Peak. Mike asked for anyone with thoughts/memories of Harry and Joe to share them with him and he will be sure to mention them at the tributes. 

 

Tony is off next week so please try to bring correct change.

 

Respectfully submitted

 

Lora Miller, Secretary