Town of Bradford
Selectmen’s Meeting
January 26, 2010
5:00pm
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Peter Fenton, Acting Chair opened the January 26, 2010 meeting at 5:00pm with Jack Meaney, Cheryl Behr, Administrator, Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer and Marge Cilley, Secretary present. Charles Meany arrived at 5:15pm.
Peter Fenton stated that they were going to request any public comments to be held until after tonight’s Warrant Articles were completely gone over, however since one member had not arrived, will talk with the public now if they have questions.
Chris Frey addressed the Selectmen regarding Article 19 on a previous working Warrant Articles listing referring to selling the skid steer. Peter Fenton advised this was not for the public at that time, and a decision would be made regarding whether it would be on the Warrant, or by petition if someone wanted to do that. Again the Legislation regarding the plowing of sidewalks was discussed, and there is nothing coming forward this year per Chris Frey. The comment by Chris Frey was that the authority should not be taken away from the voters in purchasing equipment; it should be done at town meeting. Peter Fenton advised that the discussion in purchasing sidewalk clearing equipment was talked about at least in two Selectmen’s meetings with favorable comments from the floor prior to the purchase.
Operating Budgets:
At this time, Line Items on the Budget Worksheets were gone over with the following results:
4130 Executive
4140 Election, Registration
Reason for increase is there are 4 elections this year.
4150 Financial Administration
Increase is in Deputy Town Clerk’s hours, which would be enough for a third day.
4152 Revaluation
4153 Legal
4155 Employee Benefits
Peter Fenton explained to everyone that the Selectmen have voted to absorb the increase to the current town employees this year on their medical insurance, at an overall increase of 16.4% making a 3% cost increase on each individual. $3.00 for a single person, $6.00 for a two person and a family plan is $10.00 per week.
4191 Planning and Zoning
4194 General Government Buildings
4195 Cemetery
4196 Insurances
Workman’s Comp is up by $882.41, line item 2600 so reflected.
4199 Other General Govt.
4210 Police
2% increase in budget reflected.
4220 Fire Dept.
4225 Rescue Squad
4290 Emergency Mgt
4240 Building Dept.
4312 Highway Department
No increase in wages, about $2500.00 which is a little over the 2% increase agreed upon by the Selectmen.
4313 Bridges
4316 Street Lights
4323 Solid Waste Collection
4324 Solid Waste Disposal
4415 Inoculations
4441 Welfare Administration
4445 Welfare Payments
Was dropped by $5,000 by the Welfare Officer
Line item 3900 needs to be changed to 25,000.00 for Selectmen amount.
4520 Parks and Rec
4550 Library
4583 Patriotic Purposes
4589 Community Center Budget
4619 Other Conservation
4711 Long Term Notes
4723 Interest on TAN
Warrant Article work sheets were handed out at this time.
WARRANT ARTICLES
1. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($600,000) for the construction of sidewalks on East Main Street. This Appropriation is conditional on the receipt of a NH Department of Transportation Enhancement Grant (TE grant). If awarded the NH Dept of Transportation will fund Four Hundred and Eighty Thousand Dollars ($480,000) or eighty percent of the project with Twenty One Thousand one Hundred Sixty Eight dollars ($21,168) to be withdrawn from the Main Street Improvement Capital Reserve, Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) to be funded from surplus and the balance of Forty Eight Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Two dollars ($48,832) to be raised by taxation. This will be a non lapsing appropriation and will continue until complete or December 31, 2015. The grant awards will be announced in the Spring of 2010.
Wording needs to be changed to indicate: “The appropriation is conditional upon the receipt of the NH Department of Transportation Enhancement Grant, and if not funded, no money will be withdrawn from any funds.” Cheryl Behr, Administrator will do the rewording of this article.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton to recommend Article #1. Seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.
2. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) for the Fire Department Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve Fund.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney to accept Article 2. Seconded by Charles Meany. Motion carried 3-0.
3. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Thousand One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($15,150) to repair the Town Clock.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised there are three avenues being sought for this:
1. Insurance
2. Moose Plate Grant (if the Church could be eligible to be on theHistorical register)
3. Taxes
Any money coming in would go into the General Fund and offset request.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney, seconded by Charles Meany to accept Article 3. Motion carried 3-0.
4. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the Fire Department Building Repair Capital Reserve Fund. This will be funded from Surplus with no money raised by Taxation.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney, Seconded by Peter Fenton to accept Article 4. Motion carried 3-0.
5. To see if the Town will vote to establish a Town Communications Equipment Capital Reserve fund and raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) to Fund this Reserve. Selectmen are agents to expend.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Seconded by Jack Meaney to accept Article 5. Motion carried 3-0.
6. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) for the Ambulance Capital Reserve Fund.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Seconded by Jack Meaney to accept Article 6. Motion carried 3-0.
7. To see if the Town will vote to lease purchase a backhoe for the Bradford Highway Department and to raise and appropriate Seventeen Thousand One Hundred Sixty Five Dollars ($17,165) for the first year payment on a five year lease. The total cost of the Backhoe is Ninety Four Thousand Four Hundred Seventy Five Dollars (94,475) with a Twenty thousand dollar ($20,000) trade in and Eleven Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($11,350) in interest payments over the life of the lease.
Discussion ensued regarding checking on prices of repairing existing backhoe versus a lease purchase of a new one.
Motion was made by Charles Meany to change Article 7 to reflect the prices from Caterpillar and that the Selectmen hold their approval until an estimate is received of what it will cost to put the backhoe basically back into new condition so it will be a viable piece of equipment for the next three to five years. Motion carried 3-0.
8. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) to fund the Highway Department Heavy Equipment fund.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton to accept Article 8. Jack Meaney seconded. Carried 3-0.
9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) to the Gravestone Repair Expendable Trust.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney, Seconded by Peter Fenton to accept Article 9. Motion carried 3-0.
10. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) to Fund the Town Emergency Repair Fund. This will be funded from surplus with no money raised by taxation.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Seconded by Jack Meaney to accept Article 10. Motion carried 3-0.
11. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) to fund the Town Facility Renovation fund. This will be funded from surplus with no money raised by taxation.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney to accept Article 11. No Second made. Motion did not carry.
12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) to fund the Police Facility Capital Reserve fund.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton to Pass Over Article 12. Seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.
13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000) to purchase and outfit a Four Wheel Drive Police Cruiser.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney, Seconded by Peter Fenton to Pass Over Article 13. Motion carried 3-0.
14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($10,400) for the first year of a three year lease to own Police Cruiser. The total amount of the purchase over three years will be Thirty One Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($31,200) with______________principle and _____________interest. The lease contains a non appropriation clause.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised actual figures are not available at this time.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton that if the 4wheel drive vehicle is purchased, Warrant Article #13 will be withdrawn. Seconded by Charles Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney to Hold the vote on Article 14. Seconded by Charles Meany. Motion carried 3-0.
15. To see if the Town will vote to establish a New Bridge Design and Build Reserve Fund and raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty Five Thousand Dollars ($35,000) for Breezy Hill Road (161/145) Bridge Replacement Design. Selectmen are agents to expend.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, seconded by Jack Meaney to accept Article 15. Motion carried 3-0.
16. To see of the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Six Thousand Dollars ($26,000) to replace the roof on the Bement Covered Bridge. This Will be non lapsing and continue until complete or December 31, 2015.
Motion was made to accept Article 16 by Jack Meaney. Seconded by Charles Meany. Motion carried 3-0.
17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000) for road repairs and reconstruction. This will be non lapsing and continue until the money is used or December 31, 2015.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton to accept Article 17. Seconded by Jack Meaney with the addition of asphalt road repairs and shimming. Motion carried 3-0.
18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty Four Thousand Dollars ($54,000) for road reconstruction of County road.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton to accept Article 18. Seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.
19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three hundred and Eleven Thousand One Hundred dollars ($311,100) for the resurfacing of Sunset Hill Road. This will be a non lapsing appropriation and will not lapse until used or December 31, 2015.
Conversation ensued and the wording should be changed to resurfacing and Reconstruction. The Selectmen also requested Jeff Remillard, Road Agent recalculate for over a two or three year period. Passed Over.
20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) for the 2010 recertification of property assessments as required by N H Department of Revenue.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton to accept Article 20. Jack Meaney seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
21. To see if the Town will vote to withdraw Twenty Five Thousand dollars ($25,000) from the Revaluation Capital reserve to conduct the 2010 recertification of property assessments as required by the NH Department of Revenue.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton to accept Article 21. Seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.
22. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to sell the Skid Steer Purchased at the end of 2009.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton to remove Article 22 and suggested it could be presented by petition if someone desired. Charles Meany seconded. Conversation ensued suggesting it should be noted that it cannot be sold lower than a certain dollar amount. Also, if sold, the money would return to the Transfer Station Revolving Fund. Motion carried 3-0.
23. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) to Make an additional principal payment on the Town Highway Garage long term note. This will be funded from surplus and no additional money will be raised by taxation.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton to accept Article 23. Seconded by Charles Meany. Motion carried 3-0.
24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) to fund the Boat Launch.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney to accept Article 24. Seconded by Peter Fenton. Motion carried 3-0.
25. Shall the Town vote to adopt the provisions of RSA 36-A:4-a,(b) to authorize the Conservation commission to expend funds for contributions to “qualified organizations” for the purchase of property interests, or facilitating transactions related thereto, where the property interest is to be held by the qualified organization and the town will retain no interest in the property.
No vote required.
26. To see if the Town will adopt the provisions of RSA 72:66 for a property tax exemption on real property equipped with a wind powered energy system which exemption shall be in the amount of 100% of the assessed value of the wind powered energy system up to $35,000 until rescinded. Submitted by petition.
27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($2,750) for the Bradford Newbury Sutton Youth Sports. By Petition. (Not received at this time.)
The final date to accept Petition Warrant Articles is: Tuesday, February 2, 201, at 5:00pm
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised two other petitions have been received, which have have gone to counsel for review. Cheryl read the petitions.
1. To change the Town Clerk/Tax Collector hours.
2. To require the Road Agent live in Bradford or an abutting town.
Charles Meany, Chair advised the town clerk has requested being open other hours, and discussed Fridays, however due to energy costs, the Town Hall is closed on Friday.
George Cilley suggested that if energy savings is a concern then perhaps the back stair way could be blocked off and not allow the heat to escape up stairs. Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised Gary Wall is working on making some changes.
Accounts Payable and payroll manifests were reviewed and signed.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised two new employees have been hired for the highway department. Charles Meany, Chair advised he is adamant about the Highway Garage being on-line, being on the highway net with information about the school, training etc.
Jeff Remillard, Road Agent advised the security system is up and running as he speaks.
Motion was made by Charles Meany that Jeff Remillard, Road Agent be allowed to call Mr. Deschesne, electrician and have him check the wiring out and make sure it is ok at the Highway Garage. Seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.
Jeff Remillard, Road Agent advised he has read the minutes from two meetings ago, and the fact that we are the “Good Ole Boys from Weare bothered me. He wishes to state on the record that I never met Chip until the day I came here for the interview, when I actually talked to Chip. I knew he was the building inspector in Weare, and did see him driving around.” I knew Jack Meaney was a trooper in Weare, and maybe he stopped me and maybe he didn’t. I did not live in Weare at the time Jack Meaney did, he moved out before I moved to Weare, from Bedford. This was not a conspiracy, and Jack did not call me in any way for this job. I called him, and at that point, I did not know that Jack was a Selectman. Charles Meany advised that a call had come into the Town Office to see if Jack Meaney was a Selectman in Weare.
Marlene Freyler requested that the money that is being saved on the Fireworks could be used on upgrading the electrical needs at Brown Shattuck field. Charles Meany, Chair suggested if and when a generator is installed at the town hall, then the electrician can come to do the wiring at Brown Shattuck Park, and he, and Marlene can discuss the needs at that time.
Peter Fenton wanted to publically thank Bob and Addy Stewart and Jim and Dolores Hansen for all the years they put in at the Bradford Food Pantry. Both couples have retired from that endeavor at this time.
Motion was made, seconded and approved to adjourn at 6:50pm.
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley, Secretary