TOWN OF BRADFORD
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
FEBRUARY 1, 2013
12:00 NOON
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Harry Wright, Chair called the meeting to order at 12:00 noon with Sonny Harris, Barry Wheeler, Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer, Cheryl Behr, Administrator and Marge Cilley, Secretary present.
Appearances:
None
Regular Business:
Review Warrants for 2013 Town Warrant:
Harry Wright, Chair stated they are voting on as many remaining Warrant Articles that they can vote on today in preparation of the Budget Committee meeting next Tuesday. Harry advised listed Warrant Articles, numbers Two, Three, Four and Five cannot be recommended or not recommended by the Selectmen at this time.
Number Six has been voted on. Number Seven and Eight are Petitions which have not been submitted at this time. Number 9 has been recommended by the Selectmen.
Number Ten: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to enter into a four year lease/purchase agreement on a new Police Cruiser and to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy Dollars ($8,770.00) for the first year payment to purchase and outfit with equipment a new all wheel drive police cruiser.
At this time, Harry Wright, Chair also read POSSIBLE NEW WARRANT?? – Article—————-To see if the town will vote to establish a Capital Reserve Fund for the future- funding of police cruisers and raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) to fund this reserve.
Jim Valiquet, Police Chief discussed lease of Police Cruiser as opposed to outright purchase. He indicated the interest rate is approximately 6.7%. A new cruiser procured this year would replace the 2005 that would be taken to auction. Much of the equipment can be transferred to the new vehicle. The savings would be up front. The current vehicles mileage is as listed 2005 – 160,000, 2009 – 100,000, New – 12,000. Chief Valiquet advised they are getting 7, 8, 9 more miles per gallon on the new cruiser than the older models. Another added feature is a new car comes with mud and snow tires, not needing extra snow tires. When questioned about extra mileage, Chief Valiquet advised they would enter into an agreement with Ford Motor Company for a “Municipal Lease” where they usually go with a three or four year lease and the vehicle can be purchased at the end of the lease for one dollar then take to it auction for around $2,000.00. There is no limit on mileage.
Ed Shaughnessy advised the new police cruiser handles very well with no issues on biggest hills in town.
Article Ten:
Motion was made by Sonny Harris to recommend Article Ten to vote to authorize the selectmen to enter into a four year lease/purchase agreement on a new Police Cruiser and to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy Dollar ($8,770.00) for the first year payment to purchase and outfit with equipment a new all wheel drive police cruiser. Seconded by Barry Wheeler. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion was made by Sonny Harris to recommend “To see if the town will vote to establish a Capital Reserve Fund for the future- funding of police cruisers and raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Thousand Dollars ($8,000.00) to fund this reserve.” Seconded by Barry Wheeler. Motion carried 3-0.
POSSIBLE NEW WARRANT: Article_____________To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty seven Thousand Dollars ($27,000.00) for Vehicle Exhaust Removal System for the Fire House. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA32:7,VI and continue until the money is used or December 31, 2018.
Harry Wright, Chair advised this was in Capital Improvement Program and the Budget Committee decided it would be good to have in the Warrant this year.
Fire Chief Mark Goldberg discussed the Diesel Emission Control and advised it is a regulatory item. This is even more necessary for per diem volunteers where they would be sitting in the fire house all day. Mark advised he has been in touch with Henniker Fire Department and found they are very happy with their system. Mark also stated that the $27,000 would include complete installation, including electrical.
Dick Keller, Chair Budget Committee advised this is a good year to do this in light of Bonds which will be taking effect next year.
Motion was made by Sonny Harris to recommend – To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Seven Thousand Dollars ($27,000.) for Vehicle Exhaust Removal System for the Fire House. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7,VI and continue until the money is used or December 31, 2018. Seconded by Barry Wheeler. Motion carried 3-0.
Article________To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fourteen Thousand Dollars ($14,000) to replace the roof on the BradfordAreaCommunity Center. This will be a non lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will continue until the money is used or December 31, 2018.
Discussion ensued regarding the several areas of concern have been addressed with estimate from the Structural Engineer including insulation, collar ties and until the front of the building has been stabilized. It was advised that the roof could probably last for another three to five years.
Motion was made by Sonny Harris – To see if the town will recommend to raise and appropriate the sum of Fourteen Thousand Dollars ($14,000.) to replace the roof on the BradfordAreaCommunity Center. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7,VI and will continue until the money is used or December 31, 2018. Seconded by Barry Wheeler. Motion to recommend defeated 3-0. Selectmen did not recommend.
Dick Keller, Chair Budget Committee advised he had received a call from Tom Riley, Chair, Cemetery Commission that some money was found and he wished to take the Gravestone Repair amount of $2,000.00 out of the 2013 budget request.
Article Nine: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Twelve Thousand Dollars to fund the following Capital Reserve Funds:
Motion was made by Sonny Harris to reconsider Article Nine. Seconded by Barry Wheeler. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion was made by Sonny Harris to recommend Article Nine to read: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Ten Dollars Thousand dollars ($110,000) to fund the following Capital Reserve Funds. Seconded by Barry Wheeler. Motion carried 3-0.
There is no Warrant Article for the Police Sign, but it has been discussed. Chief Valiquet pointed out some advantages of the sign and advised DOT states where it can be placed for police business. It was stated it could improve town image. Chief Valiquet advised it would probably be able to be purchased for around $15,000. Cheryl Behr will write the Article for presentation at the next Selectmen’s meeting.
Deeds were signed.
Road Agent:
Harry Wright, Chair read a letter dated January 29, 2013 offering Barry Wheeler the Road Agent position spelling out specifics. (Letter on File)
The letter was signed by the Selectmen and Barry Wheeler.
Question from the floor, why wasn’t present Highway Employees offered the position to which Harry Wright, Chair advised they had an opportunity to apply for the position.
Marcia Keller question if the position is politically appointed annually to which the answer was yes, or it could be made for a term of two or three years at Town Meeting.
Jane Johnson questioned who is going to fill Barry Wheeler’s extra year as Selectman. Reply is Selectmen can appoint a third Selectmen. Jane questioned when will this decision be made?
Motion was made by Harry Wright, Chair for the Selectmen to review potential candidates and appoint a person next Monday at their regularly scheduled Selectmen’s meeting. Seconded by Sonny Harris. Motion carried 2-0.
The Secretary thanks the Selectmen for providing a copy of the Warrant Articles worked on today.
Motion was made, seconded and carried to adjourn 1:10pm.
Respectfully submitted, Marjorie R. Cilley, Secretary.