TOWN OF BRADFORD
SELECTMEN MEETING
FEBRUARY 11, 2013
5:30pm
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Harry Wright, Chair called the meeting to order with John Pfeifle, Sonny Harris, Cheryl Behr, Administrator, Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer and Marge Cilley, Secretary present.
Appearances:
None tonight.
Review and Consideration of February 4, 2013 minutes:
Motion was made by Sonny Harris to approve the February 4th minutes. Seconded by Harry Wright.
Page One under appearances should read:
Town Office Relocation Committee with presentation.
Motion carried with edit. 3-0.
Andrew Pinard:
Andrew Pinard was not on the Agenda for this evening, but had the following concern:
“Today I received a request to post a meeting on the Town’s website by the “Town Office Relocation Committee” regarding two petition warrant articles. I was a little concerned about posting this notice, but I did as requested. As a citizen and taxpayer, I have a couple of questions and concerns regarding this meeting and the “official” nature of this organization.
Now for the questions:
Who is the chair of this committee? Reply was Dawn Rich.
How and where have the meetings been noticed?
How many meetings have there been?
Where are the minutes of these meetings?
Where is the final report by this committee to the Board of Selectmen?
Are the petition warrant articles an action of this committee? If so, why did the committee feel the need to do an end run around the Board of Selectmen?
Thank you for answering the questions.”
Andrew Pinard
Consensus of the Selectmen was to forward the above to the committee for their response, and Harry Wright, Chair stated he would do so.
Regular Business:
Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
Three Warrant Articles to make a decision on:
Article 5: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) (gross budget) to repair and rebuild asphalt roads in Bradford and to authorize the issuance of not more than Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA Chapter 33) and to authorize the Selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon, the term and other details. The roads to be repaired include RoweMountain road, Sunset Hill Road and overlay Pleasant View Road. Selectmen recommend. 2/3 ballot vote required.
At this time, Marge Cilley, Secretary gave the Selectmen two copies of a break down for roads as requested this afternoon by Barry Wheeler, Road Agent. The list and breakdown follows:
Rowe Mountain Road $100,000.00
7400 Feet of Road from Four Corners to where the tar ends.
Replace culverts where needed.
Dig out stones
Overlay with Tar
Sunset Hill Road $130,000.00
2800 feet of Road from Cressy Road & Sunset Road to High ground.
Grinding
Replace culverts where needed
Dig out stones
Lay down fabric
New gravel where needed
Paving
Much discussion ensued between Article 5 and Article 17 regarding Fairgrounds Road.
Harry Wright, Chair advised that to express the request to supervisors, Barry has not complied. It is our place to either not recommend the bond, change the roads or do as he asks.
John Pfeifle suggested that if they do not recommend Article 17, then it should be included in Article 5 which is Fairgrounds Road.
Discussion lead to agreement that Article 17 should be kept separate, a stand alone Article to finish a road that is underway.
Motion was made by John Pfeifle for Article Seventeen to read:
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) for the completion of resurfacing sections of Fairgrounds Rd. and asphalt road repairs and shimming. (Cheryl Behr will change wording on this Article) Sonny Harris Seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
In reply to a question as to where the financial estimates came from for road work, Harry Wright, Chair advised from Barry Wheeler and consultation from Pike Paving and some other folks. Harry also advised they still have not seen breakdown of totals.
John Pfeifle advised we are being specific, we know exactly what we are voting on, and have a general outline of what we are trying to achieve which is fine, and as a tax payer, have no problem with this.
Motion was made by John Pfeifle to amend Article 5 to $250,000.00 and include Rowe Mountain Road and Sunset Hill Road. Seconded by Harry Wright, Chair. Motion carried 3-0.
Review of final Warrants – Selectmen recommend or not recommend.
Article 7:
The Secretary questioned if Articles should be written identical to Petition wording to which the Administrator advised no, there could be minor changes. The Map numbers and Lot number on Warrant Article 7 and Petition do not agree at this time, and Cheryl will make the correction.
Discussion ensued. Comments suggested that the tax base should stay as strong as possible and not be purchasing property to be taken off the tax rolls.
At this time, the Secretary left to go to a Budget Committee meeting and, apparently someone’s papers/notebook pulled the cord out of the tape recorder and there are no more minutes available. Harry Wright, Chair gave the Secretary the following information:
Article 7: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into a Five Year lease/purchase agreement to acquire Bradford Corners Map 2, Lot 102, 103, 103-a to be used for town office space for the amount of Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($650,000.00). In addition, to vote to raise and appropriate One Hundred Thirty Eight Thousand Four Hundred Fifty Dollars ($138,450.00) for the first year payment. This payment would be funded from Thirty One Thousand Dollars ($31,000.00) in rents with the remaining One Hundred Seven Thousand Four Hundred Fifty Dollars ($107,450.00) to be raised by taxation. This lease has a non funding clause. (By Petition) Majority vote required.
Motion was made and seconded to recommend Article 7 as read.
Motion defeated unanimously. 0 yes 3 No votes
Article 8: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ninety Five Thousand Dollars ($95,000.00) to renovate and move the offices of the Town of Bradford to the Bradford Corners. This will be a non lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will continue until the money is spent or December 31, 2018. This article is contingent upon the passage of Article Seven.
Motion was made and seconded to recommend Article 8 as read.
Motion defeated unanimously 0 Yes 3 No votes.
Intent to Cut was reviewed and signed for Mark Witcherman, Map 9, Lot 58.
Agenda format changes were to be discussed
Signing TAN note was to be done.
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary