Town of Bradford
Selectmen’s Meeting
January 10, 2011
8:30am
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Peter Fenton, Chair called the meeting to order at 8:35am with Jack Meaney, Harry Wright, Cheryl Behr, Administrator and Marge Cilley, Secretary present.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator will check with the Lake Sunapee Bank regarding interest rate for equipment.
It was stated that a Lease/Purchase agreement would go on as a Warrant Article the first year but after that, it would be as a budget item.
Peter Fenton, Chair requested Jeff Remillard, Road Agent get a price breakdown for all that is needed from Nortrax. Also to see if a lower interest can be obtained.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Chair for a lease/purchase of both machines, Grader and Backhoe. This is not approved yet. Harry Wright seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
Selectmen are waiting for additional information being obtained by Jeff Remillard, Road Agent.
Jack Meaney suggested breaking out all three pieces of equipment for Warrant Articles. This will be decided when additional information comes in.
Jack also advised if the grader does not get voted in at town meeting, then there will be at least a minimum of $36,000 to repair the existing grader.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator brought up the note for weatherization and questioned if they should check with Lake Sunapee Bank. Cheryl Behr, Administrator also advised any note has to be treated as a bond, and does require a 2/3 vote. This would have to be posted, no shorter time then 15 days or not longer than 60 days prior to Town Meeting. If this is not recommended by the Budget Committee, then a statement has to be added stating this particular Article is exempt from the 10% rule.
The following Town Warrant Articles were discussed and some were recommended by the Selectmen:
Article Shall the town modify the elderly exemptions from property tax based on assessed value for qualified taxpayers, to be as follows:
This has not been reviewed for fifteen years and it does need to have a date available.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Chair to modify exemptions to the income level. $25,000 for a person 65 years of age up to 75 years of age and $40,000 for a person 75 years of age up to 80 years of age with $50,000 for a person 80 years of age and older.
Net income would be single, not more than $25,000, if married not more than $35,000 and total assets not more than $50,000. Jack Meaney seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Recommended by the Selectmen
Article Shall the town adopt the Disabled Exemption under the provisions of RSA 72:37-b as follows:
Motion was made by Harry Wright to set the amounts for the Disabled Exemptions to be the same as the Elderly Exemptions at a single amount of $25,000, if married, not more than $35,000 jointly and with assets of not more than $50,000. Seconded by Jack Meaney, Motion carried 3-0. Recommended by the Selectmen.
Article Blind exemption is not income generated, but is set at $15,000 per Cheryl Behr, Administrator.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Chair to change the Blind Exemption to $15,000. Jack Meaney seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Recommended by the Selectmen
Article To see if the town will vote to require a highway agent (Road Agent), in addition to his usual duties as highway agent, to have charge, under the direction of the selectmen, of the care and maintenance of any one or more of the following: collection of waste, refuse and garbage, care of public dumps; care of public parks and cemeteries; public beaches; public forests; public playgrounds; shade and ornamental trees per RSA 231:63. This was explained, that this could include all of the above or none of the above, but would be in place for future use if needed.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Chair to approve this Article and seconded by Jack Meaney. Harry Wright questioned if we should lock it in to be the highway agent, it could be someone else who could be hired for that job. Jack Meaney advised that would be creating a separate job or separate job description.
No vote taken, will hold until later after Cheryl Behr, Administrator checks on this further.
Article To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) to fund the Highway Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve.
The Selectmen agreed to put this article after the Back hoe and Grader Articles.
If lease/purchases pass, then this Article will be removed.
Decision is to lease/purchase on both the Back hoe and Grader were previously voted on, and if these pass, then the money will stay in the above Article.
Jeff Remillard, Road Agent was questioned what is being requested next for the Highway Dept., and he advised a truck next year.
Article To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) to purchase a new police cruiser. Selectmen recommend.
Article To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000 to be placed in the Snow and Fuel emergency capital reserve. Selectmen recommend.
Article To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of Forty Five Thousand Dollars ($45,000) for Road Sealant. This is a non lapsing appropriation and will continue until December 31, 2015 or until used.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Chair to put the amount at $40,000. No second made.
Motion was made by Harry Wright to raise the money to $45,000. No second made.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney to raise the money to $50,000. Seconded by Harry Wright. Peter Fenton, Chair opposed. Motion carried 2-1.
Article To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to be placed in the Bridge Repair Capital Reserve. Selectmen previously recommended.
Article To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) for the Ambulance Capital Reserve. Selectmen previously recommended.
Article To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) for the Town Facilities Capital Reserve. Selectmen previously recommended.
Article To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the Repair of Town Buildings Capital Reserve. Selectmen recommended previously.
Article To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000) for the Fire Dept Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve. Selectmen previously recommended.
Article To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to be placed in the Communications Capital Reserve Fund. Selectmen previously recommended.
Article To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the Fire Dept. Buildings. Selectmen previously recommended.
Article To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Thousand dollars ($100,000) for the design of Bridge # _____ on Breezy Hill road, and Route 103 This will be a non lapsing appropriation until the money is spent or December 31, 2015.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Chair to approve $100,000 for this article. Seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0. Cheryl Behr, Administrator will check with the Engineering Firm for contract figures.
Article To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Nine Thousand Dollars ($9,000) to complete the match for the East Main Street Sidewalk project. This money will come from Fund Balance and no money will be raised by taxation.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Chair to approve this Article. Seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.
Article To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to be deposited in the Main Street Sidewalk Improvements Capital Reserve.
Motion made by Peter Fenton, Chair, to approve $10,000 for this Article. Seconded by Harry Wright.
Motion carried 3-0.
Article To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Eight Thousand Dollars ($28,000) to replace the roof on the Bement Covered Bridge.
This Bridge is on the State List, but not rated.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney and seconded by Harry Wright to approve $28,000 for this Article. Motion carried 3-0.
Article To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) for the Gravestone Repair Expendable Trust. Selectmen previously recommended.
Article To see if the municipality will vote to discontinue the New Highway Garage Capital Reserve created in ______. Said funds, with accumulated interest to date of withdrawal, are to be transferred to the municipality’s general fund. (Majority vote required)
Motion was made by Jack Meaney, seconded by Peter Fenton, Chair to approve this Article. Motion carried 3-0
Article To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($2,750) for the Bradford Newbury Sutton Youth Sports. No vote yet, no request yet.
Article To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the Boat launch. No vote yet. Cheryl will check what other towns are doing.
Other Warrant Articles include the following:
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Chair for thirty six thousand ($36,000) dollars for Highway Dept. heavy equipment repair Capital Repair Fund, to be expended by the Selectmen. If grader/backhoe is voted in this Article would be withdrawn. Motion seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney to put eleven thousand ($11,000) in a Dust Control Fund which would expended by the Selectmen and would be non lapsing fund. Peter Fenton, Chair seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion was made by Harry Wright to include an Article for Chip Seal on East Washington Road in the amount of Forty eight thousand dollars ($48,000) Jack Meaney seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
Slip Lining on 2 culverts on Davis Road discussed and was put on hold at this time.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator explained that the 10% Rule applies only to anything in excess of what the Budget Committee approves.
Peter Fenton, Chair questioned the public if there were any questions for the Selectmen. and there were none.
Letters were signed.
Motion was made to go into Non-Public per RSA 9:A3:11a at 10:25. Jack seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
Non-Public Meeting at 10:28am
Decision included signing of a personnel letter.
Out of Non-Public Meeting at 11:00am.
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley, Secretary