TOWN OF BRADFORD
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
JANUARY 4, 2011
5:30PM
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Peter Fenton, Chair called the meeting to order with Harry Wright, Jack Meaney, Cheryl Behr, Administrator, Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer and Marge Cilley, Secretary present.
Peter Fenton, Chair opened the meeting by mentioning the fire Christmas morning down at O E Trucking where 12 busses burned. The Selectmen wanted to thank the Fire Dept., Police Dept., Rescue Squad and all the other towns that helped in getting the fire under control. The highway dept. was also involved.
Michael Barrett-Off Craig Road:
Harry Wright introduced Michael Barrett from Hillsborough, who is working on the Naomi Paine property off Old Craig Road to town line. Harry Wright advised he was given a tour yesterday. There had been a number of questions raised by the Planning Board and Conservation Commission concerning permitting processes, one being is there is a need.
Mike explained that he was hired to fix up the road there. There is no DES problem. They are well aware of what is happening there, and there have been no issues per Mike Barrett. This is not a permanent driveway into Bradford, but just used as an access road. Mike also suggested that anyone who is concerned come on up and look at what is happening, they would be welcomed. Peter Fenton, Chair questioned Mike Barrett if there is a deadline on the driveway permit to which Mike advised he just received a six months temporary permit. Ms. Paine’s house and road is in Hillsborough. Marcia Keller advised she had seen references and Ms Paine has not checked with the Planning Board for Condition of Use permit or Alteration of Terrain permit from DES. The gate has been closed, and there has been signs prohibiting anyone from going in there. The intent was to determine if there was a problem or reason for concern. When questioned about the road being temporary, Mike Barrett explained that it is temporary, however, it could benefit the town to leave it open in case of forest fire need for access etc. The length of the road is about 1 mile in Bradford.
Chris Duncklee advised he owns a farm next to Naomi Paine’s property and stated a lot of land will be put into conservation. He feels it is a win-win situation for everyone
Jeff Remillard, Road Agent:
Jeff Remillard, Road Agent came before the Selectmen to request purchasing a trailer to haul town equipment for thirty six hundred ($3600.00) dollars. This is a used 9 ton trailer that has been all re-done. He has been using his own trailer for a year, but feels it is time the town had their own. This trailer would hold the backhoe, skid steer and could haul a truck as well if it had broken down. This would be taken out of the 2011 equipment line in the highway budget.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney to approve the purchase of a used trailer out of the 2011 highway equipment line budget in the amount of $3600.00. Seconded by Peter Fenton, Chair. Motion carried 3-0.
Peter Fenton, Chair advised the Budget Committee has requested a limit of a 1% increase in the over-all budget this year.
Jeff Remillard, Road Agent also advised the above mentioned trailer also has new tires and brakes.
Dick Keller suggested the stone benches in front of the town hall could be covered with snow and not seen. Peter Fenton, Chair advised some reflectors could be put there.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised there are a couple of property owners who the Selectmen have met with and need to be re-evaluated. Peter Fenton, Chair advised this will be discussed in a non-public session.
Accounts payable and payroll were reviewed and signed.
A letter to the BACC for change in Personnel description was signed.
A letter to the Selectmen to authorize Trustee of Trust Funds to transfer some money to compensate for a deposit that was made in error was signed.
Letter to Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer to transfer $9500.00 from the Ambulance Billing Account into the General Operating Account to cover the cost of protective gear, was signed.
Mention was made of the Meeting tomorrow, January 5, 2010 at 10:00am regarding sidewalk engineer proposals. If they do not come tomorrow, they do not get to submit a proposal per Cheryl Behr, Administrator. This is an open meeting. A big issue is that the engineer’s are familiar and experienced with doing TE work, as the restrictions and requirements are different.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised all Departments have received notices regarding the town report, and their information should be forwarded by e-mail by the end of January, 2011.
The Budget Committee will be meeting at 7:00 tonight.
The Selectmen were given a list of estimated Warrant Articles, along with copies of estimated revenues.
Discussion resulted in money towards the purchase of a back hoe for the highway department, there being about $84,000.00 in the Capital Reserve Account. Do they want to put another $30,000 towards it? Jeff Remillard, Road Agent advised a new back hoe would run around $92,000.00, and this would include the trade. Also lease/purchase was discussed, and one company listed a 10 year lease at $47,000.00 per year. Peter Fenton, Chair questioned how the members felt regarding taking money out of the Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve and putting it towards a back hoe? Harry Wright questioned if this would mean a Warrant Article would cover the remainder.
Chris Frey stated that everyone is trying to discourage spikes in the budget. It would be more prudent, since the grader is coming up in the next few years per the CIP, to set money aside for that grader, instead of depleting the money down to zero. Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised that if the grader is not considered this year, then about $36,000.00 should be set aside for repairs, as estimated by Jeff Remillard, Road Agent.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised Capital Reserve can only be used for lease/purchase if it is the final payment.
Marcia Keller made a general comment about the whole approach of big purchases. It appears the CIP is a gradual, year by year purchase for equipment. Over the years the larger trucks, larger graders, larger back-hoes our gravel roads are getting wider and wider to accommodate the larger equipment. Is it necessary, and it does not help the roads, the trees get nicked, ditches get filled up, and this is not ethical. Discussion ensued.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney to tentatively approve $30,000.00 for Capital Reserve for a back-hoe for Highway Heavy Equipment. Motion seconded by Peter Fenton, Chair. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion was made by Harry Wright to tentatively approve $40,000.00 for Capital Reserve for Fire Dept. Heavy Equipment. Motion seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Chair to tentatively approve $5,000.00 for Capital Reserve for the Fire Dept. Building. Motion seconded by Harry Wright. Jack Meaney voted Nay. Motion carried 2-1.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Chair to tentatively approve $2500.00 for Capital Reserve for the Town Facility Emergency Rep. Seconded by Harry Wright. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Chair to tentatively approve $10,000 for Capital Reserve for the Town Facility Renovations. Motion seconded by Harry Wright. Jack Meaney voted Nay. Motion carried 2-1.
Motion was made by Harry Wright to tentatively approve $10,000 for Capital Reserve for Ambulance Fund for 10 year replacement. Motion seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion was made by Harry Wright to tentatively approve $1,000 for Capital Reserve for Cemetery-Gravestone repair. Seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Chair to pass over the Police Facility. Seconded by Harry Wright. Carried 3-0.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Chair to tentatively approve $10,000 for Capital Reserve for Revaluation. Jack Meaney seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney to tentatively approve $5,000 for Capital Reserve for snow and fuel emergencies for the Highway Dept. Motion seconded by Harry Wright. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Chair to tentatively approve $10,000 for Capital Reserve for Radio Replacements. Seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.
Comments between the Fire Dept. and Highway Dept. and Police Dept. there will be around 22 radios needed for a cost of between $44,000 and $45,000.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator brought concern about Bridge design on Breezy Hill Road. The most that FEMA would provide is $750,000 with the total amount being around 1.2 million. The town will not hear until March if FEMA will be providing assistance. They are now surveying in preparation of looking for a temporary bridge.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Chair to temporarily approve $10,000 for Capital Reserve for Emergency Bridge Repair. Seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Chair for the Police Department to use $1,241.00 from their 2011 budget to alarm the three rooms upstairs in the Town Hall. Seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.
The Department of Revenue advised the town it needs to re-vote new income levels for the elderly for tax exemptions, which has not been increased for fourteen years. This includes an elderly single person cannot have income of more than $13,500 or a couple cannot have more than $22,000, or have assets of more than $35,000 in order to receive the credit, which is $10,000 off the assessed value. This does need to go on the Warrant, as it does need to show a date it is in effect. The Selectmen will look into this.
Motion made by Peter Fenton, Chair to adjourn and go into Non-Public per RSA 91:A-3IIc. Motion seconded and carried at 7:12pm.
Non Public Meeting per RSA 91:A-3IIc at 7:15pm.
Decision in the Non-Public Meeting is to forward two letters to tax payers.
Out of Non Public meeting at 7:25pm
Meeting Adjourned 7:25pm.
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley, Secretary