TOWN OF BRADFORD
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
MARCH 16, 2010
5:30PM
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Peter Fenton, acting Chairman opened the meeting at 5:30pm with Jack Meaney, Harry Wright, Cheryl Behr, Administrator, Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer and Marge Cilley, Secretary present.
Peter Fenton is temporary Chair until Chairman is decided. Peter advised that Town Meeting last week went well. A complimentary Highway letter has been received regarding the good care of the highways this winter and the Sidewalk Grant application went well per Mr. Fenton, who thanked everyone for their part in this. The notification regarding the Sidewalk Grant should be received around April 20, 2010. Also, Peter Fenton thanked Charles Meany, former Selectman, for his overseeing of the building of the new Highway sheds. The new police cruiser has arrived was also reported.
Peter Fenton, Chair welcomed the new Selectman, Harry Wright.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney to nominate Peter Fenton as Chairman of the Selectmen. Motion seconded and carried 2-0.
Assignment of Committees were as follows:
Harry Wright – Planning Board
Peter Fenton – Budget
Jack Meaney – Road Committee – continuation
BACC – Selectmen will rotate
Federal Flood Maps:
It was noted that the Federal Flood Maps have been adopted and the National Flood Insurance will be able to be accepted. The Planning Board updated the existing maps.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney to approve the Federal Flood Maps which need to be approved by April 19, 2010. Harry Wright seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Appearances:
Sue Pehrson, Town Clerk/Tax Collector came before the Selectmen regarding the deeding of property with a list presented to the Selectmen.
Also Sue Pehrson discussed hours of operation and would like to be open on Friday. Peter Fenton, Chair advised the hours will be discussed at a later time.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator recommended to the Selectmen that they consider appointing Jeff Remillard as Road Agent for the next year.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney for Sue Pehrson, Town Clerk to swear in Jeff Remillard as Road Agent for one year. Harry Wright seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
Marlene Freyler advised the invoice for Atlas Flags has been received for the July 4th, 2010 celebration. Marlene also discussed the race ending at Brown Shattuck and would like to discuss it finishing at the Community Center. Discussion ensued, and it was agreed that it would be a good finishing area for the race.
Harry Wright questioned the discount offered from Atlas, to which Marlene advised it was because they used another company last year, and Atlas wants the contract.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton to accept the contract from Atlas for the 4th celebration. Jack Meaney seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Phil LaMoreaux, Chair Planning Board questioned the Demer’s property and what has been done. Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised nothing has been done at this time. It was discussed that the highway crew will do the measuring of the sign.
Jeff Remillard, Road Agent:
Jeff Remillard, Road Agent advised they are gaining on the repairs, with one truck left to be done. Jeff questioned the repair of the backhoe, which can only be used under an emergency situation. The motor, transmission needs to be looked into and advised it would be less expensive to do in house. One of the new highway crew members is qualified to do the work. Peter Fenton questioned rental and Jeff advised it would cost thirty to thirty five thousand dollars to lease a backhoe for a year. Peter Fenton advised it should be fixed and the Selectmen will find the money. Peter also requested getting price for getting it fixed and what the warranty would be.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney for the Selectmen to find funding to get the backhoe up and running with Jeff Remillard to oversee the repairs. Harry Wright seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised a Purchase Order is required for this.
Jeff Remillard, Road Agent questioned moving forward with rock crushing project. A large crusher will be brought in. Peter Fenton, Chair checked with Phil LaMoreaux, Planning Board Chair who advised there is no problem for the Town with the crushing process to be done at the dump.
Two companies are being checked into regarding uniforms per Jeff Remillard, Road Agent. Reflective T shirts will be provided for the summer, as well as shop towels and Town Logo and Name will appear on uniforms for a total per employee cost is $14.00 per week for the uniforms. The company name is CINTAS. The Selectmen agreed that the choice is up to Jeff Remilard, Road Agent for what Uniform company to use for the Highway Dept. The total for the week for everyone and with everything will be $85.00.
Harry Wright, the new Selectman requested a tour of the Town Sheds with Jeff Remillard.
George Cilley questioned the burned out building on East Main Street, which is not only despicable to look at but is also unsafe and what is being done about it. Jim Valiquet, Police Chief advised contacting the Town Counsel, which will be done. Jim Valiquet also advised the Town becomes liable in securing the premise in the absence of the owner. Peter Fenton, Chair advised Town Counsel will be contacted for advise. Trudy Willett advised four letters have been sent to the owner, one certified which was not picked up.
Regular Business:
Accounts payable and payroll were reviewed and signed.
SEA – Bridge Replacement MS-2 was reviewed and signed and dated.
Jeff Remillard, Road Agent will get the total estimated amount of salt needed to give to Cheryl Behr, Administrator.
A proposal for repairing of the furnace at the Town Hall was received from Dick Schoch and Son Plumbing for $2,642.00.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised the total amount voted in at Town Meeting is $2,681,330 which does not reflect any Grants, or withdrawals from Reserve.
Discussion took place on updating the accounting software and new computer for the Selectmen’s Office.
Cost for new computer is: 1200.00
Software – Sequel Server 978.00
Total 2178.00
Of this, $350.00 from Town Report which cost less than estimate.
750.00 from Equipment budget
1078.00 Balance from reserve – will be used to cover the cost.
Jon Marden advised he would like to bid on the Selectmen’s office new computer equipment, and Cheryl Behr, Administrator will give him the specs.
The updated Personnel Manual was handed out to the Selectmen for their perusal this week to discuss at the next meeting. It was revised August 3, 2009. Upon being signed by the Selectmen, the Highway Crew will receive them.
The contract for the preschool was discussed and the use of the playground will be checked out by Dawn Rich and she will report back. Signing of contract will be done after this has been checked out further.
Police Stats for February were handed out to the Selectmen.
Hours of operation for the Selectmen’s office was discussed. Peter Fenton, Chair suggested opening up the office on Friday. Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised they will work it out so one of them will be in the office on Friday. The Selectmen agreed for the decision to be made by the Department Heads as to the hours open, which includes the Town Clerk, so they can be available on Fridays.
Veteran’s exemption was reviewed and signed.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised there is some discussion regarding Web Site. Andrew Pinard had called her as someone had been trying to find information on the Web Site, and there was some confusion. The account was registered for 10 years and reimbursement was done for registration fees which are good through 2018, per Andrew Pinard. Cheryl Behr, Administrator read an e-mail received from Andrew Pinard. Minutes began being posted in January 2008, and were back-posted from 2007 by Andrew Pinard. Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer advised the .COM was the original WEB site and has been in existence for 10 to 15 years. .ORG started in 2008 as the BBA wanted it to be more of Tourism and more promoting Bradford, not having politics of any kind in it. .ORG has all the minutes, calendar of events etc in it. The concern is why .ORG cannot put .COM on there so people will see that they are trying to promote Bradford. Current charges are $150 per year. If they went outside, a hosting charge would be assessed, plus it would require payment for someone to keep it up. Bradford.ORG domain is owned by the town, and Bradford .COM is owned by the BBA, and is with Web Master, and Bradford .ORG is done by Andrew Pinard. Cheryl Behr, Administrator will check this out with IAMNOWNET as being a host.
The assessors will review the Veterans Exemptions.
Meeting adjourned at 7:05pm to go into Non Public.
Meeting re-opened at 7:10pm
Ken Anderson, Mgr. Transfer Station came before the Selectmen requesting to cut his hours. He is willing to give up his benefits. One thing he would like to do is not have to do the burn pile one day a week. He would like a part timer to fill in. It was questioned if a license is required. Peter Fenton, Chair suggested a written schedule be presented to the Board.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:15pm to Non-Public meeting to consider employee review and legal issues per RSA 91-3AII.
Out of Non-Public 8:05pm.
Meeting Adjourned 8:05pm.
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley,
Secretary