Select Board Meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm.
Roll Call: Beth Downs (Chair), Marlene Freyler, Chip Meany
Also attending: Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary
Review Minutes of October 7, 2024
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to approve the October 7, 2024 minutes as written.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Appearances:
Lois Kilnapp – Transfer Station Update: During the coming week a large load of non-ferrous metal and six bales of aluminum will be taken away for recycling. Lois reported smooth operation at the Transfer Station and Recycling Center.
Ed Shaughnessy – Police Department Update:
- There have been 496 incidents since the last report. Total incidents for the year are between 3,500 and 3,600. There have been 622 motor vehicle stops with 62 tickets issued. Ed explained that a majority of the stops are educational and corrective with the goal being fewer motor vehicle accidents.
- Ed is concerned that the number of reported online and telephone scams is increasing. He knows of between 12 and 15 residents who have been the victims of scams. Ed is planning a workshop and an article on avoiding scams.
- The 2024 Police Department budget is about 3% under. The new cruiser is done ready for pick up. Old cruiser was sold at auction on October 19th.
- Community outreach: The PD has visited the Bradford kindergarten classes with a basic safety program. The PD will be participating in trunk or treat during the October 25th elementary school Halloween festivities. The PD will be on duty during trick or treating on Halloween.
- Ed discussed with the Board a wage study that shows that Bradford PD part-time wages are between 20-25% lower than wages paid in surrounding towns.
- Chip asked to look at the possibility of providing daytime coverage at the PD office.
- Grants are in the works for next year. The 2024 Dept of Safety grant was $8,200.
- Review of town ordinances is underway. Ed has edited several PD related ordinances for grammar and spelling, and brought the ordinances up to date. The ordinances updated are: the Dog Ordinance, Open Container Law, Parking Ordinance Penalty and Validity, Ordinance Regulating Parking on Public Highways in the Town of Bradford, Ordinance Regulating Skateboarding on Public Highways and Town Property and Ordinance Regulating the Use of French’s Park.
Motion: Chip Meany moved to accept as corrected and updated the ordinances submitted by Ed at the meeting.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Public Input: Dawn Gezelman expressed thanks to the Highway Department for fixing Sunset Hill Road. Dawn, on behalf of the Budget Committee, also wanted to set the record straight about the three highest departmental Town budgets. They are: executive, police, highway.
Regular and Old Business:
Review Budget Schedule: The Capital Improvement Program public hearing will be November 26th. Departmental budget worksheets are due on Friday 10/24. Budget sheets will be sent to the Select Board and the Budget Committee on November 1st. Joint meetings with the Budget Committee and the Select Board to review the budget are scheduled for November 7th and 21st. Karen commented that health insurance has gone up 16.3% and will be entered into the spreadsheets. Chip asked for a detailed spreadsheet showing the expenses for the Town Hall Renovation. Karen said that information had already been supplied. Chip said the information supplied did not contain sufficient detail. A lengthy discussion ensued when Nikki Dubaere, a member of the audience, asked for transparency about the stipend paid to Karen Hambleton. In the interest of transparency, Beth Downs read a statement explaining the stipend. In 2022 and 2023, Karen fulfilled her usual duties plus those of the bookkeeper/administrative assistant when that position was not filled. A stipend of $8,000 was approved by a unanimous vote of the Select Board. Chris Frey asked for information about the setting of the tax rate. Karen gave an explanation of the steps needed to set the tax rate. Chris Aiken demanded a reading of a report from the auditor. Beth Downs read the report. Chris Aiken also told Karen to review RSA 235 relative to expenses and accounting of the Highway Department budget.
Revaluation Update: The Assessor will be meeting with residents who have questions about their new assessments from October 28th to 30th.
Auction Update: On Saturday, October 19th, NH Tax Deed & Property Auctions conducted a real estate auction in the auditorium of Town Hall to dispose of several town properties. There were over 30 registered bidders and nearly as many people attended to observe the auction. In the end, four of the five properties were sold. There were no bids on the Masonic Building.
From the proceeds of each successful sale, the Town is entitled to receive the amount in delinquent taxes owed at the time of deeding, taxes that would have been assessed and received since the deeding took place, as well as penalties and other fees incurred. According to State law, any amount received in excess of those amounts shall be returned to the previous owner.
Campers Being Used as Residences: A notice appears on the Town website and the October 2024 edition of the Bradford Bridge. Enforcement is yet to be determined. Chip asked for a thank you letter be sent to members of the Masonic Building Committee.
New Business:
Building Inspector Permit Changes: The Select Board will no longer be signing building permits. Building Inspector Walter Royal will be signing them going forward. Walter will receive a mobile phone stipend beginning November 1st.
November meeting schedule: In November, the Select Board will meet on November 4th and 18th.
Accept Unanticipated Revenue:
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the Board accept $4,037.57 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b from the State of New Hampshire as reimbursement from the Highway Safety Grant.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the Board accept $2,300.00 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b from Nick’s Other Band as the refunded amount from this year’s cancelled concert.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the Board accept $500.00 in unanticipated revenue from NHSaves per RSA 31:95-b which represents the incentive payment for the installation of heat pumps at the Fire Station.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the Board accept $12,193.24 in unanticipated revenue from NHSaves per RSA 31:95-b which represents the incentive payment for energy efficiency improvements at the Fire Station.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Sign Special Limited Power of Attorney for Auction: Signed.
Sign Intent to Cut for Map 6 Lot 37. Signed.
Sign Yield Tax Certifications. Signed.
Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest for review and signature. Signed.
Adjourn
Motion: Beth Downs moved to adjourn the meeting.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Meeting adjourned at 7:58 pm
Next Select Board meeting, Monday, November 4, 2024.
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Bigford