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
Appearances:
Devin Pendleton – Holiday Lights Winners. Devin announced the Holiday Lights winners. The Clark Griswold Award went to 911 West Road; new category “Spooky Christmas Award” went to 4 Pierce Road; the Spirit of Christmas Award went to 15 Greenhouse Lane and the People’s Choice Award went to 2616 Route 103.
John Fortney – Kearsarge Regional School District Superintendent. John Fortney gave a summary of budgetary information and mentioned a warrant article that would cap spending in the district. Detailed information can be found at:
www.kearsarge.org/district/pages/budgetannual-meetingvoter-information
Kim Firth – Budget Survey Results. Kim Firth presented a power point showing information gathered from a survey administered by the Budget Committee for the Select Board. The purpose of the survey, available online during October and November 2024, was to encourage civic engagement, increase transparency, and hear from the community about priorities. There were 132 responses. Results can be found on bradfordnh.org, or in the Town Office during regular office hours.
Public Input: None
Regular and Old Business:
Review Budget worksheet:
The Board discussed several line items. The Board agreed to add $2500 to General Government Buildings for a handyman and reduced the Grant Writing Line to $1. The wage line for the Building Inspector was reduced to $23,000. Discussion of the Highway budget centered on part-time wages, contract services, and gravel expense. Consensus was that the gravel line could be reduced to $45,000. The Board would like the Highway budget to show a 2.5% increase instead of a 5.2% increase.
Review Warrant Articles:
The Board removed $7000 of planned additions to reserves from proposed warrant articles. Marlene Freyler and Chip Meany are in favor of adding an article to the warrant to see if the voters will approve leases of highway equipment. Beth Downs is opposed to leasing.
New Business:
Website Upgrade: Karen presented plans to phase in a website upgrade. The Board agreed to move forward with Town Cloud to host and refresh the Town’s website.
Holiday Gathering: The Board agreed to a Holiday Gathering for employees at the Appleseed Restaurant.
Map 2 Lot 41 – corner of Fairgrounds/Old Fairgrounds: The property owner has requested the Board allow him to transfer the half acre of property to an abutter and not be responsible for current taxes. There are confusing issues around the title of this property.
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to allow him 6 months to transfer ownership of the property. If that is accomplished within the 6 months, the Board will abate the taxes.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Sign Letter to Move Fireworks Donations to Trust Fund. Signed.
Sign Personnel Action Form. Signed.
Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest were signed.
Motion: Beth Downs moved to adjourn the meeting to a non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (a) at 8:17 pm.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Beth Downs moved to return to public session at 8:26 pm.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Beth Downs moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 pm.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Meeting adjourned at 8:26 pm.
Upcoming meeting: January 13, 2025
These minutes were obtained from Town Hall Streams. Unfortunately, the recording is unclear and distorted at times.
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary