TOWN OF BRADFORD
MUNICIPAL NEWS & NOTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
It has been a busy time since the last newsletter was mailed. We have instituted an official municipal website for the town: BRADFORDNH.ORG. This contains up-to-date information including contact information and regularly-posted minutes for most public meetings. We held a Special Town Meeting which resulted in a positive vote for construction of a new highway garage that will provide a safe environment for workers and, through use of the old facility for cold storage, ease some of the storage needs of the Town. We held a national election which resulted in the highest voter turnout in Bradford’s history. Lots of good things have occurred, but lots of challenges have also become pressing. Fuel costs have dropped dramatically but are still straining home, commercial and municipal budgets. Rising tax rates have caused tax hikes (the Town of Bradford’s tax rate actually dropped this year, but school and county taxes caused a net increase). The sub-prime mortgage crisis and economic climate is seeing a decline in property sales and an increase in foreclosures.
With all the challenges before us, we need to work together as a community to ensure the best possible circumstances for our citizens and town workers. The Selectmen are actively working with departments and the Budget Committee to prepare a reasonable budget to supply town services while keeping an eye on escalating costs.
I would recommend that all citizens participate in the budget process leading up to Town Meeting. The next scheduled budget committee meeting is on Tuesday, November 25 at 7:00pm.
-Andrew Pinard, Selectman
Email changes
The Town Administrator’s email address has changed. The new email address is bradfordnh@iamnow.net.
Selectmen’s Coffee; November 22; 9:00am Town Hall
Selectmen Coffees were instituted over a year ago and many have participated. This is a great opportunity to talk with your elected officials and express your praise and concerns.
Budget Time
We are well into Budget Season, and all departments and committees have submitted their budget requests for the coming fiscal year. Any organizations or individuals, who would like to have an item considered for inclusion either as a budget line item or as a proposed warrant article, should contact the appropriate department, the Selectmen or the Budget Committee.
TRANSFER AND RECYCLING CENTER
New Hampshire the Beautiful rewarded the Bradford Transfer and Recycling Center with 800 narcissus bulbs! Fifty bulbs were planted at the Women’s Club Park, 300 were planted around the Bradford Transfer and Recycling Center sign. Bindy from the Recycling Committee planted 100 bulbs at the Bradford Community Center; she also planted 300 bulbs in various places around Bradford that are a secret until we see their delightful colors in the spring. New Hampshire the Beautiful has indicated that it will contribute 800 more bulbs next fall, and Bindy has already volunteered to help plant them.
The Bradford Transfer and Recycling Center has become the “Road Cleanup Headquarters”. We have some great volunteers cleaning up the roadsides in Bradford. One enthusiastic resident living near Lake Massasecum brings us large, heavy garbage bags loaded with recent and vintage bottles and cans, and other debris that have littered his neighborhood. Others can help by cleaning up the litter along their own roads, collecting the litter in a bag, and bringing the bag to the Transfer Station. Bradford has a no-littering ordinance, yet it is amazing how much trash and recyclables are regularly discarded along our roadways!
Residents have been asking why plastic caps cannot be recycled. Plastic caps are not made of the same plastic as the plastic bottles and jugs and if they should be mixed in with the plastic bottles and jugs they would contaminate the whole load. Also, plastic caps can become caught in the recycling equipment and cause damage requiring expensive repairs. For these reasons, plastic caps are discarded with the regular compactor trash.
New Payment Policy Established
at the Bradford Transfer and Recycling Center
By order of the Selectmen, The Bradford Transfer and Recycling Center must collect payment for items requiring a charge before they can be dumped. No item can be left at the Center until payment is made. Cash payments are no longer accepted. Payments must now be made by check only, made out to the Town of Bradford.
Items requiring a charge include demolition, bulk items, mattresses, carpet, any appliance with freon, and propane tanks. When you bring these items, please find an attendant who will give you specific instructions. Be prepared to make your appropriate payment before dumping the items.
Your cooperation in this matter will help make the new policy operate smoothly for everyone. If you have any questions, you may call the Bradford Transfer and Recycling Center at 938-2526 during regular business hours.
We appreciate all of the volunteers who are participating in Bradford’s beautification!
-Kenneth Anderson, Manager
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Thank you to the residents of Bradford for our, soon to be, new Highway Garage! Work has started and we hope that after the first of the year we can invite people in for an open house celebration.
This is a winter rules reminder, as the season is well on its way. No plowing is allowed across any road from your driveway.
WINTER PARKING BAN IN EFFECT. No parking on any street is from 12:00pm through 6:00am (November 15th thru April 15th
-Steve Lucier, Road Agent
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
The Bradford Building Department had the following activity so far since January 2008: eight new houses; one Historical Society Project (the Village Smithy); six new garages; two barns; four decks; two commercial projects: one addition (Dunkin Donuts) and two new buildings (NFI & Naughton Recycling); and two foundations, which will run into next year’s building permits.
Lake Massasecum has presented its challenges, with new shoreline guidelines and such, a flurry of activity went on when property owners heard that the rules were changing.
Good Luck with all of your projects.
Thanks to all of our residents and contractors for your enthusiastic compliance with our permitting system.
Look forward to working with you all in the future.
-Trudy Willett, Building Secretary
BRADFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Bradford Fire Department and Rescue Squad is concerned with people using alternative sources of heat this winter due to the high cost of conventional heating fuels.
We recommend you have qualified technicians install any heating system to be sure it is safely installed and operates properly. Please make sure you understand the operating instructions and warnings that come with your appliances and follow all instructions carefully.
We urge you to have your chimneys cleaned and checked each year. Please have operating smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on each level.
A great deal of information may be obtained on alternative fuel appliances and their safety at the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning web site at StayWarmNH.org , click on Heating Safety. As always, if you have any fire safety questions or concerns please contact a Fire Department member for more information.
BRADFORD RESCUE SQUAD
This has been a very busy summer for members of the Bradford Rescue Squad. Two of our EMTs completed strenuous course work, field work, and national testing to become state licensed EMT-Intermediates. Two former EMTs have rejoined the squad, one has earned his NH EMT license and the other is waiting for the paperwork to come back from the state. The squad is very happy to have these gentlemen back with us. We also have a First Responder who completed the process and is now a licensed EMT, and two newcomers who have also taken an EMT course. One has completed the course testing and licensing process and is now a practicing EMT and the other hopes to be fully licensed by the end of the year. Last, but not least, we have a new member currently taking the Basic EMT course. In total the Rescue Squad currently has three EMT-Intermediates, nine EMT-Basics, and five first responders.
Members of Bradford Fire and Rescue participated in the Bradford Fun Day at Brown-Shattuck Park in late September. The crews got together and used the “Jaws of Life” and other extrication tools to rescue “Resusci-Annie” and her “baby” from a car crushed in an accident that David Camire arranged with a bucket loader. The “baby” was placed in the ambulance so some of the visiting children could take care of her. After lunch Resusci-Annie was placed under another car to give crews a chance to “rescue” someone who was pinned when the car rolled over on her.
Squad members gave tours through the ambulance and measured the blood pressure of anyone who wanted it. One of the highlights for squad members was meeting an adorable three year old girl who had been born in our ambulance.
If you have any interest in joining Bradford Rescue Squad please call Richard Branch at 938-2440.
BROWN MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Three monthly activities continue at the library this fall. Every first and third Wednesday from 6-8pm the Bradford Library Stitchers meet at the library. This is a drop-in fiber arts meeting so bring your knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, spinning or any fiber-related craft. Enjoy the camaraderie, learn to knit, or get help with that thorny project. Casual instruction is provided.
Our Book-to-Movie discussions continue every first Friday at 7:00pm. A month before the discussion date, pick up a copy of the book we will compare to the movie.
International Movie Night continues on the third Friday at 7:00pm. Refreshments are always served at movie nights!
The final book sale of 2008 will be on Saturday, November 29 from 9:00am-2:00pm. We are glad to accept book donations at any time of the year.
Come visit your library this fall and winter. New books, audiobooks and videos are always arriving. This winter, you may want to wear an extra sweater when you visit us as we are keeping the thermostat lower to conserve oil.
We are looking forward to seeing you at the library!
BRADFORD AREA COMMUNITY CENTER
PARKS AND RECREATION
Many Bradford residents were curious about the excavation that took place around the Community Center in September. In a matter of days, a new septic system and leach field was installed by Wheeler Excavation of Bradford. Disruption to the operation of the Community Center was minimal and the new system is working great. Funday was a great time with Mr. Phil, Reptiles on the Move, a climbing tower from Vertical Dreams and the freezing cold dunking booth. Thanks to all the sponsors and helpers.
The grand finale of the Farmer’s Markets was October 9th. The Kearsarge Community Band organized by Laura Trow played an incredible selection of music that was enjoyed by all. On November 15th, a Harvest Celebration will take place at the Community Center. Support Community farmers and crafters and buy local products for the holidays.
Come to the Parks and Recreation Barn Dances on the 3rd Friday of each month through January at the Elementary School in Bradford. Top-notch musicians and callers will entertain dancers of all levels and ages. The barn dances are a great way to spend quality time as a family or with a group of friends. Guaranteed to leave you smiling !
Bridge Club and Writers group are always looking for new members.
If uncertain economic trends are keeping you closer to home, keep your Parks and Recreation and the Community Center in mind for activities. We are always looking for new volunteers, ideas and suggestions.
-Kate Dobrowski, Director BACC/Parks and Recreation; 938-6228
BRADFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Bradford Historical Society slows down during the cold months, but there is a standing invitation to visit the Old P.O. by calling 938-5386. Programs this year included the KRHS Music department, a visit to a local Bradford memorabilia collection, NH’s P.O.W.Camp Stark, a program on early tools, and a remembering old school days meeting, held at the Center Schoolhouse, which now has a new roof.
The Blacksmith and Woodworking Museum at the Marshall property has been an astounding volunteer effort of materials, finance, workers, and old artifacts. It will be open for exhibits and demonstrations next summer. Thank you, everyone.
BUSINESS HOURS
Selectmen’s Office 938-5900
Monday through Thursday (except holidays)
8:00am-Noon; 1:00pm-5:00pm
Fridays 8:00am-Noon
The selectmen meet the first and third Tuesdays at 5:00pm in the Town Hall. Departments are reached here.
Town Clerk/Tax Collector Telephones 938-2288 / fax 938-2094
Monday (except holidays) 12:00pm-7:00pm
Tuesday (except holidays) 7:00am-5:00pm
Friday (except holidays) 8:00am-5:00pm
Planning Board
Meets second and fourth Tuesdays of each month in the Town hall at 7:30pm
Zoning Board of Adjustment
First Tuesday of each month in the Town hall at 7:30pm
Budget Committee
Next meeting is November 25 at 7:00pm in the Town Hall.
Conservation Commission
Meets the third Tuesday of each month (except December) in the Bradford Town Hall at 7:30pm
Brown Memorial Library
Monday 10:00am-8:00pm
Wednesday 10:00am-7:00pm
Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm
Sunday 11:00am-3:00pm
Transfer Station
Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday: 10:00am-5:00pm
Building Inspector
Contact the Selectmen’s Office to make arrangements to meet with the building inspector
Emergency Fire, Police & Rescue
Telephone: 911
Police non-emergency number 938-2522
Please join the
Bradford Selectmen
for
Coffee & Donuts
Bradford Town Hall
Saturday, November 22 • 9:00am
No agenda, simply an opportunity to ask questions and provide your input concerning Town matters.