Select Board Meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm.
Roll Call: Marlene Freyler (Chair), Chip Meany, Beth Downs
Also attending: Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator; Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary
Review Minutes of March 24, 2025
Motion: Beth Downs moved to approve the March 24, 2025 minutes as written.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Appearances:
Luther Drake and Jeanne Dionne, 20 Steele Road, Bradford. Reported a complaint about flooding on Steele Road. The problem has been reported to the Highway Department with no response. They also expressed a desire to have the road paved as it was years ago. Steve Hall, present at the meeting, said he would take a look to see what could be done. There were also questions about planned improvements to the property. Chip directed them to the NH Department of Environment Science and the Bradford Conservation Commission.
Facilities Use & Economic Development Committees:
Scott McCaskill and Bruce Gezelman appeared. Grant funding for economic development in Bradford: Scott reported that the Economic Development Committee has investigated federal and state grants and has had no luck. There may be changes in the NH grant system that will give Bradford a better advantage in the future. Scenic Byways: Marlene asked about “Scenic Byways” roads. This designation comes with responsibilities for how to maintain the roads and environment. Discussion of combining the two committees. Bruce said the Facilities Committee has almost completed its work. Scott and Bruce will bring a mission statement for the Economic Development Committee and report on the outcome of the discussion of combining the two committees to the next Select Board meeting.
Parks and Recreation: Devin Pendleton, Patty Hefner, and Katie Olohan appeared. Devin asked for clarity from Marlene about what is to be discussed when Marlene calls together members of Parks and Rec. Marlene explained that there had been confusion and miscommunication about the purpose of a recent meeting.
Parks and Rec. Activities for 2025:
Saturday, April 26, Brown Shattuck Park cleanup
Saturday, May 24, French’s Park cleanup
Saturday June 28, 4th of July celebration, Rain date: June 29 (fireworks only)
July 7-18 YMCA Swim lessons, Parks and Rec will pay for Bradford swim students
July 9-18, fun nights with various Bradford departments.
Marlene asked about fireworks reservations for 2026. Devin reported that the current vendor is not taking bookings for 2026 at this time. Devin will explore other opportunities.
Public Input:
George Cilley: Appeared to say that the gas stove at the Bradford Area Community Center (BACC) should be disposed of.
Beth Downs read a statement about budget overruns for maintenance and repairs at the BACC. She said the repairs have been made and money has been spent without appropriate research and approval by the Board. She asked Chip why money has been spent without Select Board approval. A heated discussion followed about procedures for future expenditures. There seemed to be agreement that research about expenditures needs to be gathered and presented to the Board so that informed decisions can be made and transparency maintained.
Several residents attended the meeting to give input and discuss plans for the BACC. For about 45 minutes ideas were collected on many topics. The following actions were agreed upon:
- A signed lease with the Community Action Program (CAP). CAP leases part of the BACC to run the Meals on Wheels program and meals and activities for the Mountain View Senior Center. It was suggested that the rent (currently at $775 per month) be based on the building cost per square foot. It was agreed that a lease will be in place by June 1. Marlene will be responsible.
- The building will be cleaned. All materials not in use or needed will be cleared. Marlene will be responsible with the help of Lois Kilnapp.
- Community views about how to use the center: Marlene will take charge of distribution of the survey, online and printed.
- After the building is cleaned Marlene will organize an open house and meeting for residents to discuss plans.
- Roof repair and kitchen stove will meet code.
- Establishment of a governance board for the BACC will be discussed at open meetings.
- Electrical costs for freezers will be determined. Bruce Gezelman will spearhead.
- There will be an action item check-in during the second Select Board Meeting in May.
- Plans for the BACC will be discussed at the next Facilities Committee meeting, Thursday, April 17, 8:30 am.
Town Hall use request. Laurie Colburn appeared to request use of the Town Hall meeting room for the initial meeting of the “Affordable Bradford” committee on Thursday, May 22. An article on the 2025 warrant recommending the establishment of this committee passed. The meeting will be live streamed, and zoom will be available. The request was unanimously approved by the Board.
Fire Department Update: Chief Bryan Nowell appeared.
Incidents: Total incidents for 2025 so far – 58. From February 24 to April 14, 2025 there have been 17 EMS calls and 10 fire calls. Two of the fire calls were for failure to extinguish unpermitted brush fires.
Fire Department activities: Celebration of the anniversary of the passing of Deputy Chief James Raymond; Hazard Mitigation Plan meetings are wrapping up; Advanced EMT training has been completed by Emily Roy bringing the total Advanced EMTs to four. The Department received full reimbursement for Advanced EMT trainings; there will be a Red Cross Blood Drive on May 14, noon to 4:30, 11 of 32 slots have been filled.
Other items: Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are available at the Fire Department; Fire Department FaceBook account has been active; code issues and lack of building permits has caused the Department calls for service.
Budget: Fire and Rescue overall budget has 71% remaining.
Regular and Old Business:
Select Board 2025-2026 Goals — Tabled
Review Expenses – Karen reported that the Planning Board part-time wage line is over budget. The Board acknowledged that this line will be overspent and will be reviewed again later in the year. The BACC repair budget has been overspent. The Board discussed these expenditures being funded by the town building repair trust fund, but postponed a final decision. Other accounts are within the budget.
BACC Security System: Karen reported that the security system at the BACC is in need of replacement. She has a replacement quote of approximately $6,900. The Board appeared to agree that this was a necessary expense.
Masonic Building Septic: A discussion of pumping the septic tank on the Masonic property prior to the building’s demolition ended in agreement that the tank should be pumped.
Motion: Chip Meany made a motion that the expense for pumping the septic tank at the Masonic property be taken from the appropriation approved at town meeting for demoing the building.
Second: Beth Downs
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
New Business:
Town Hall Elevator: A recent inspection of the elevator by the State noted that a “maintenance control plan” will be required before next year’s inspection. Karen will contact the elevator installer to find out what a maintenance control plan might be.
Schedule of Dept Head Reports: The Board agreed that departments will make quarterly reports. Departments including are Fire, Police, Highway, Transfer Station, and Executive. The next reports will be scheduled during two Select Board meetings in June.
Accept Unanticipated Revenue
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the Board accept $1,899.00 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31.95-b from the State of New Hampshire WorkInvest Program as reimbursement for EMT training.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the Board accept $820.44 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31.95-b from the State of New Hampshire as reimbursement from the Highway Safety Grant.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the Board accept $44.00 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31.95-b from restitution payment for fire at the Masonic Building.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the Board accept $1,100.00 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31.95-b in private donations for the Bradford Scholarship Expendable Trust Fund.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Adjourn:
Motion: Chip Meany moved to adjourn the meeting.
Second: Beth Downs
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.
Next Meeting April 28, 2025
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary