Select Board Meeting was called to order at 6:04 pm.
Roll Call: Beth Downs (Chair), Marlene Freyler, Chip Meany
Also attending: Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator
Elect New Select Board Chair
Motion: Chip Meany moved to elect Beth Downs Chair of the Select Board.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: All in favor
Beth Downs expressed her appreciation for Mel Pfeifle’s service on the Select Board. She welcomed Chip Meany and wished him success in his newly elected position on the Board.
Review Minutes of March 11, 2024
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to accept the March 11, 2024 minutes as written.
Second: Beth Downs
Decision: 2 in favor, Chip Meany abstained
Appearances:
Frank and Jill Gulczinski – Road to Map 3 Lot 46, appeared to discuss a proposed driveway and the three options they are considering. Beth asked Steve Hall, Road Agent, for his opinion. Steve is recommending, option #3, where the owners will take care of road maintenance and snow removal from the point to which it is currently maintained, to their property. The Select Board had no major issues with the plan and encouraged the Gulczinskis to seek the approval of the Planning Board. Carol Conforti-Adams appeared by zoom to advise the Board and owners that the property borders Bradford and Warner.
Jenny Howley – Bradford Community Power appeared via zoom to advise about the Bradford’s Cost Sharing Agreement with the Community Power Coalition of NH.
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved that the Board authorize the Select Board Chair, Beth Downs, to sign the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire’s Cost Sharing Agreement.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 2-1, in Favor, 1 abstention, Beth Downs
Beth Downs signed the Cost Sharing Agreement. Karen will scan the document and forward it to Jenny Howley for emailing to the Community Power Coalition of NH.
Steve Pierce – Treasurer Appointment. Karen Hambleton explained that at the 2024 Town Meeting it was approved that the Treasurer would be appointed by the Select Board. The Board signed a form appointing Steve Pierce as Town Treasurer for one year. The position of Town Treasurer will now be an annually appointed position, not an elected position.
Walter Royal – Building Inspector. The Board signed a building permit for Map 17 Lot 12.
Lois Kilnapp – Transfer Station Update.
- Lois reported that there are 26 bales of cardboard and mixed paper ready to go to recycling. The price for paper and cardboard recycling which varies is higher than it has been.
- Metal coming to the transfer station will be checked for combustible materials.
- Alkaline batteries are no longer recyclable at the transfer station.
- Composting at the transfer station is popular with lots of food waste going to compost rather than compactor.
Steve Hall – Highway Department.
- To date the Highway Department has used 20% of their budget.
- Consensus of the Board is to sell the dump body of the 550 truck to the one bidder for $1,000.
- Steve brought to the attention of the Board snow dumping on sidewalks at 135 East Main Street. The consensus was that Steve would have a conversation with the owner and follow up with written contact, if necessary, in the future.
Public Input. None
Regular and Old Business:
Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest for review and signature. Signed. The Board discussed the procedure for signing the manifest. As it stands, Beth signed the manifest before the Board met. Marlene asked if the individual manifests could be listed in the meeting minutes. Karen explained that the accounting software is not compatible with Microsoft Word which is used to produce the minutes. Beth remarked that it is not legally necessary to include in the minutes also saying that manifest information is public and can be viewed in the Select Board office by appointment.
Town Hall Update. Karen is hoping that the move in will happen by the end of May. The Board will be thinking about the timing of a celebration.
2024 Expense Review. The Board was in agreement that expenses were in line with the budget.
New Business
Board, Committee and Department Assignments.
Beth: Budget Committee, Capital Improvement Program Committee, Police Liaison
Marlene: Fire Liaison, Economic Development Committee, Planning Board, Energy Committee, Historic District Commission, Budget Committee alternate
Chip: Facilities Use Committee, Highway liaison, Roads and Bridges Committee, Transfer Station liaison, Planning Board alternate
Facilities Use Committee Update. Karen read what the Committee had created as a suggested charge for itself. “Develop a process to guide the future use of town spaces. The process shall identify potential uses, spec the needs for use (equipment and maintenance), address cost recovery and develop/result in a sustainable plan of operation (to include fundraising and grants.) Focus will be on the BACC and the Town Hall second floor. Board agreed with this “charter.”
Town Meeting Recap. Karen identified items to be acted on by the Board.
- Historical Society easement. The Board needs to decide their priorities in framing the easement. Board agreed that legal will produce a draft with the Town’s best interests to be reviewed by the Board.
- Masonic Building. Consensus of the Board is to use the auction service recommended by the Masonic Building Committee. Town records need to be removed before the auction process can begin.
- Fire Department mini splits. The Board would like the Fire Chief to work with the Energy Committee to purchase mini splits.
Consider Select Board Goals for 2024
From 2023-24 to complete:
Financial policies: Investments, trust funds
Complete the employee handbook update
Town Project List
Town Hall Auditorium – plan to outfit it
Town Report – reassess how we print it
Karen will refine the list. The Board can finalize at another meeting.
Accept Unanticipated Revenue
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the Board accept $550.00 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b in private donations for the Bradford Scholarship Fund.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0, All in favor
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the Board accept $566.98 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b from the restitution payment for the misuse of the gas card.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0, All in favor
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the Board approve the $1,589.00 (town portion) amendment to the Bradford PD Highway Safety Grant #24-002. The original grant was for $8,200 and was accepted on July 24, 2023.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0, All in favor
Sign Driveway Permit Map 5 Lot 64-2. Signed
Sign Current Use Application Map 2 Lot 43. Signed
Sign Property Tax Exemptions/Credits (3). Signed
Sign Personnel Action Form. Signed
Non-Public Session
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (a) at 7:45 pm
Second: Beth Downs
Decision: 3-0, All in Favor
Motion: Beth Downs moved to return to public session at 7:58 pm.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Beth Downs moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 pm.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Upcoming meeting: Monday, April 8, 2024
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Bigford (from Town Hall Streams)