Town of Bradford
Selectmen’s Meeting
March 3, 2009
Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Peter Fenton, Chair called the March 3, 2009 meeting to order at 6:00pm with Andrew Pinard, Cheryl Behr, Administrator, Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer and Marge Cilley, Secretary present. Charles Meany was absent.
Peter Fenton, Chair advised this would be Andrew Pinard’s last meeting, and thanked him for his efforts, and also advised that Andrew would be a member of the School Board representing Bradford. Andrew thanked the board and said it had been an interesting experience and was gratified by the support of the board.
Review and Approval of the Minutes from February 17, 2009
Motion was made by Andrew Pinard that the 3rd paragraph from the bottom of page one be amended to read: Charles Meany reported “that the interior of the town sheds is being heated to be able to pour the concrete. Peter Fenton seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
Appearances:
Cheryl Frey, Welfare
Discussion ensued regarding the Welfare Department which included finding an office within the town hall facility for their use.
Peter Fenton, Chair questioned the difference in the amount between the different surrounding towns in money spent for Welfare, with Bradford being the highest. Cheryl Frey advised that Bradford does have more rental properties available. Other topics discussed included forms, written policies, and a request for statistics be procured for housing availability for each of the individual surrounding towns. Peter Fenton, Chair advised they appreciated what Cheryl Frey is doing and like the report that was presented to them by her.
Police Chief Valiquet was in attendance regarding complaints of dogs on Pleasant View Road being loose. Steve Valiquet, Police Officer and Trudy Willett, Code Enforcement office were also present. Said dogs have been registered as a Kennel, which now involves it as Planning Board and Zoning Board issues. Phil LaMoreaux, Chair of the Planning Board was unable to attend this meeting. Chief Valiquet advised that under State Statute #466, is the provision for licensing canines. 1. Is to license all your dogs under a Kennel License, or: 2. License your dogs individually. This has nothing to do with Zoning Ordinances, or the Planning Board. The person in question was advised he needed to license his dogs as they had not been done for a couple of years. All twelve dogs have been registered at this time under a Kennel License. It was also explained that this does not give license as a Kennel, but the dogs are licensed under a Kennel.
A Definition of a Kennel was read. “Any location where more than six (6) dogs are housed, groomed, bred, boarded, trained and/or sold for a fee or compensation, or raised for adoption. This definition does not include litters of animals of less than six (6) months of age.” Consequently, this would classify as a kennel, and this means a Site Plan needs to be obtained and get approved by the Planning Board per the Selectmen.
A person from the floor advised this operation has been on going and is in violation of the ordinance right now, and has been since being discussed in this office since last April.
A letter will be written by the Selectmen to the property owner regarding the registering of the dogs under the Kennel provision of the State Statute, and because of the number of animals you are housing, you are in non compliance of the Zoning Ordinance, therefore, within the next thirty days you need to file a Site Plan with the Planning Board. It was reiterated that these dogs are loose and running around and there is a leash law in town.
It was pointed out once again that there are two issues here. One being the licensing of said animals and two, the nuisance issue, which also includes noise. It was also suggested that the town attorney be contacted, which Cheryl Behr, Administrator will do. Additional conversation ensued, including a comment from the floor that they would appreciate the problem of the loose dogs being delt with quickly as they are afraid to walk on the road, as the dogs were vicious.
Regular Business:
1. Accounts Payable and Payroll manifests were signed.
2. Bridge Aid forms were signed. Preliminary estimates for two separate bridges were given to the Selectmen. Andrew Pinard advised he had received correspondence from Jeff Aarons, an abutter, regarding the West Meadow Road Bridge, (second bridge).
3. Intent to cut was signed for MacLeod, Forest Street, Map 21, Lot 2.
4. Police Statistics for February have been received.
5. A letter dated February 13, 2009 from Bob Wright was read into the minutes (letter on file) regarding the Road Race, advising the number of runners has increased as have the expenses. Last year there were over 200 runners and ten sponsors. The following choices could be considered for next year.
- Requesting more money from the sponsors.
- Raising the entry fee.
- Reducing awards.
- Combination of 1 and 2.
- Put the race under the direction of the Town of Bradford.
- Discontinue the race.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator will respond via letter, with a copy to Parks & Rec.
Lois Knapton at the Landfill expressed a desire to obtain 800 daffodil bulbs from N.H. the Beautiful, which would be planted next fall. The Selectmen agreed.
The Selectmen went over the Warrant Articles in preparation of Town Meeting as to who would comment on each Article if requested. Andrew Pinard advised he will set up the sound system for Town Meeting.
Andrew Pinard advised he has scanned all the Annual Reports from 1928, and they will be posted to the WEB site as soon as possible.
Motion was made by Andrew Pinard that the Selectmen meet more frequently than the scheduled twice a month. No Second. No Vote.
Meeting Adjourned 7:28pm
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary