The meeting was called to order at the Bradford Community Center at 5:35pm.
Present: Kris Foss, Mel Pfeifle, Pat Moreland, Bryan Nowell, Bruce Gezelman. Tracey Quigley
No Public Audience
The Committee was presented with the warrant articles from the Select Board for Town Meeting.
There was discussion about why 2 articles were needed. Why article 9 was worded to retain the building as this was not a conclusion of the Committee that was feasible. It was explained that town counsel had added this article to ensure there was a vote on whether the town wants to keep the building or not, and that it should be a ballot vote. If this article passed there would be no vote on article 10, the recommendation of the Committee. The Committee was confused by the clarity of the wording, and that there might be confusion with the public that describing the building as being town-owned and town maintained might lead you to believe there was a plan and funds for the building if it was retained, and that is not what the Committee has been told or discovered through the process.
After much discussion it was decided that Kris would inquire if there needed to be 2 articles, and if they could be combined. It was the Committee’s preference that article 10 would be the only one with wording added to cover article 9. If both articles were required legally to see if the wording can be changed in article 9. Kris would let us know what she finds out.
The Committee will show its presentation before the warrant articles are voted on at the Town Meeting. At that time, it will be stressed that the Committee does not recommend keeping the building as a result of the research and work this Committee has done over the last 8 months.
It was pointed out that the Committee’s charge was to bring a recommendation to the Select Board and then it was up to the Select Board how to proceed.
A Warranty Deed was found that shows the right of way is on land of the lot next to the Masonic Building and not on the Masonic building lot. At this time, we have not been able to find written documentation of a State right of way. The landowner had not returned a call by the time of the meeting.
There was further discussion as to what would happen with a positive vote at Town Meeting and how the auction process would proceed.
There was discussion that this Committee had completed its mission.
Action Items: Kris to contact Karen re warrant articles. Kris to write a piece for the March Bridge explaining the warrant articles and outlining the Committee’s recommendation. Tracey to put together a post for websites/facebook etc.
Motion to adjourn meeting at 6:40pm by Tracey, Second Bruce.