Select Board approves building‑inspector software and suspends minor‑permit use pending inspector review

The New Durham Select Board voted to authorize purchase of Avatar building‑inspector software and to authorize the town administrator to sign the agreement after staff said the half‑hour demo showed the product could eliminate paper permitting and provide an online portal for residents.

The town administrator told the board the product costs $7,900 and carries an annual service fee; he said the board could expect a 12‑month grace period on some fees. "It's $7,900. I think it's money well spent," he said during his presentation.

Afterwards the board confronted a separate but related issue: a rarely used minor construction permit process whose records are not readily available in the town files. Select Board members moved to suspend the use of the minor construction permit until the new building inspector reviews it and reports back. "I make a motion that we currently suspend the minor construction permit until we get feedback from the building inspector," the chair said, and the motion was seconded and agreed to be tabled pending inspector input.

Board members discussed budget coding for the software purchase and confirmed funds were earmarked in the building‑inspector budget rather than the operational budget. The board also noted potential annual service fees and asked staff to clarify long‑term costs.

The Avatar procurement and the suspension of the minor‑permit process were recorded as board actions to be implemented through the town administrator and with follow‑up from the building inspector.