Select Board Meeting was called to order at 6:02 pm.
Roll Call: Beth Downs (Chair), Marlene Freyler, Chip Meany
Also attending: Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator; Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary
Review Minutes of April 8, 2024
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to accept the April 8, 2024 minutes as written.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Appearances:
Walter Royal – Building Inspector – Absent
(Permits for – Map 16 Lot 79, Map 22 Lot 8, Map 4 Lot 35, Map 12 Lot 6, Map 19 Lot 38, Map 7 Lot 4, Map 6 Lot 70 and Map 11 Lot 56 were reviewed.)
Mr. Grenier (189 Cressy Road) appeared for clarification of his building permit application. The Board reviewed and approved the application.
Lois Kilnapp – Transfer Station Update:
- Recycling: 36 bales mixed paper. 8.4 tons, 1940 lbs. of aluminum beverage cans netted $630.50, 11 bales # 2 plastic 6246 lbs. netted $655.83.
- Lois will be ordering new Transfer Station stickers.
- Lois submitted changes to the Transfer Station ordinance. To officially make the changes requires a Planning Board hearing or vote at Town Meeting.
Bryan Nowell – Fire Department Update:
- Since January first the Fire Department has responded to 79 Incidents (44 EMS call and 35 Fire calls). Compared to the same time period in 2023, the department had responded to 56 incidents, representing a 26% increase in call volume.
- Fire permits are required for outside burning. Contact Fire Warden or the Fire Department. Open burning rules and regs are on bradfordnh.org.
- Calling hours for Deputy Fire Chief Jim Raymond are on Thursday, April 25, 5-7 pm at Chadwick’s Funeral Service in New London. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, April 27 at noon at the Bradford Fire Department.
- The Department now has 17 active members.
- As of March 15th, Mark Goldberg retired after 53 years, 34 years as Chief of the Fire Department.
- A hazard mitigation survey is on the Town’s website and all are welcome to take it. Pictures of weather events are encouraged.
- New fire truck will be delivered a little earlier than expected. Site inspection will take place at the end of May. Delivery is expected in June.
Steve Hall – Highway Department Update
- There are several items that can go to White Farm for auction: fire pumps, a plow, a wing. Consensus of the Board is to send items to White Farm, Concord.
- Fairgrounds Road paving project is progressing. Pine trees and roots growing into the road have been removed.
- Budget: 2023 is now closed with the final expense of the gravel funds encumbered at the end of 2023. 2024 expenses are on track.
- Massasecum Road ZBA application for Wellness Camp. For the record, Steve has concerns about the maintenance of the road.
- Paving: Funding: Fairgrounds Road repaving will go over budget. Consensus of the Board is to finish the project.
- Roadside Mowing: There is a mower available for $39K. Contractually the cost is about $36K to mow the entire town. Consensus of the Board is to pay the contractor and consider purchasing a mower at another time.
Public Input: None
Regular and Old Business:
Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest for review and signature: Signed
Town Hall Update
- Moving dates are scheduled for May 16 & 17. Closing the Selectmen’s and Town Clerk/Tax Collector offices on May 15,16, and 17.
- Several details are being attended to: Doors moved, paint dings, furnace thermostat, magnetic door hold open, heating and lighting adjustments. Once all the items are complete, a certificate of occupancy will be signed – easily done by moving date.
- Reopening celebration: Saturday, June 1, Noon-2pm, details to be determined.
Masonic Building Update: Select Board would like to be sure that the charge for the auction has been competitively given.
New Business:
Community Action Program lease renewal: The CAP lease at the BACC is up for renewal. The Board requested that CAP attend the next meeting to discuss their needs and plans for the future. There is a May 20 notification requirement in the current lease.
Tree at Brown Shattuck Field: Devin Pendleton shared a bid to remove a dead tree at Brown Shattuck. Before moving forward, the Board requested that the property line be verified to determine ownership. The Board also asked for additional bids for taking down the tree.
May Meeting Schedule: To accommodate the move to the Town Hall and the celebration of Memorial Day, the Select Board will meet on May 13 and May 20.
Unanticipated Revenue:
Motion: Beth Downs moved to accept $265.32 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b from the State of NH as reimbursement from the Highway Safety Grant #24-002.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0 all in favor
Sign Intent to Excavate Map 7 Lot 26: Signed
Sign Intent to Cut Map 4 Lot 15: Signed
Sign Abatement for Map 11 Lot 76 Site 28: Signed
Sign Personnel Action Forms: Signed.
Adjourn public session
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to adjourn the meeting to non-public session, per RSA 91-A:3II(a) & (l) at 8:00 pm.
Second: Beth Downs
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to return to public session at 8:39 pm.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:39 pm.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Upcoming Meeting: Monday, May 13
Respectfully Submitted, Kathleen Bigford