TOWN OF BRADFORD
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
APRIL 20, 2010
5:30PM
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Peter Fenton, Chair opened the meeting at 5:30pm with Harry Wright, Jack Meaney, Cheryl Behr, Administrator, Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer and Marge Cilley, Secretary present.
Peter Fenton, Chair advised that unfortunately, Bradford has lost another of its senior citizens, as Bob Stewart, Sr. passed away last week. He was extremely involved with the town in just about every department. He was involved with the Church Food Pantry for years. He will be greatly missed. His service will be Saturday, April 24th at 11:00am at the Church.
Appearances:
Kate Dobrowski – Farmer’s Market:
Kate explained that the Farmer’s Market has a new committee who were at the meeting this evening.
Kate thanked Jeff Remillard, Road Agent for cleaning up the Community Center parking lot. Some informational sheets for vendors were handed out to the Selectmen to see what is expected of the vendors who are at the market which will be held on Thursdays during the summer from 3:00 to 6:00pm. The market will be open beginning June 3, 2010. It was pointed out that shopping at your local market, only about 25 cents per each dollar spent actually goes to the grower, while at a local farmer’s market, about 95 cents of each dollar spent goes to the grower. Discussion ensued regarding a refund for 100% participation of vendors including a credit for next year’s season. This will be discussed further.
Kate advised there is no Belly Dancing currently due to lack of people signing up.
Jeff Remillard, Road Agent:
Jeff Remillard, Road Agent came before the Selectmen regarding an e-mail that was received by the Selectmen regarding the condition of County Road becoming impassable about a month ago, due to mud. The Town Crew did go up there on a Saturday and got some gravel from a company in Goffstown where they dumped 8 loads of gravel. The road was quite passable after that, however, the current e-mail states the road is still a mess. Question was, are they being punished because of a letter that was sent to the Bradford Bridge? The three Selectmen did go up to the area of concern with Jeff Remillard, Road Agent who explained what they had done, as well as what he would like to do, including fixing the drainage on the side of the road. The issue being, they have to wait until it has dried up some, and they have to notify land owners if any trees need to be taken. Jeff Remillard advised it is still wet up there, however, they did go up and grade it today.
Some issues came up with roads being posted and vehicles being on the road that were not legal (for lack of a better word). Some RSA’s were looked at, including
RSA 236-3A which include two vehicles that cannot be restricted, which are Oil tanker delivery and milk hauler
RSA 231-191 Maximum weight limits: Advising Road Agents can post roads and any request for permission has to be done in writing. The Selectmen do not feel that writing is necessary, but they do need to talk with the Road Agent or Selectmen. Next year there will be clarification earlier so there will be no confusion. Rich Curtiss advised he had talked with several other people in town, who travel the road, and no one else has been chased down and had the police called. Jeff Remillard advised that anyone wishing to use the road, they should first call him, as many people have.
Marlene Freyler:
Marlene Freyler advised she couldn’t get in touch with Bob Wright regarding the 3rd of July race that she was hoping to have ending at the Community Center. She did present a letter from Mr. Wright (letter on file) explaining four reasons why it would not be feasible this year to end there. Discussion ensued, and it was thought that perhaps next year the route of return could be changed. His letter advised the Race is certified, but did not state by whom, and if moved then it would not be certified. Marlene will speak with Mr. Wright. Marlene also advised flags have been ordered and presented information on banners that the Selectmen will look into further.
William Starr:
Peter Fenton, Chair advised that Sidewalk Grant has several more steps to go through, and the town will probably hear around the end of May.
William Starr came before the Selectmen regarding the letter he received dated April 6, 2010 regarding the agreement between him and the Selectmen as written in the September 15, 2009 minutes, to allow the wood pile, screen house and light to be on town property until May 1, 2010.
Mr. Starr advised someone will be taking the screen house sometime this week. Mr. Starr advised he does not feel there was much discussion regarding the Right of Way with him before. Peter Fenton, Chair advised the town plan is to take the half circle out, and grass if over. Peter also pointed out that when the town hall property was surveyed, was when they discovered the property line was where it is. As a property owner, William Starr stated he feels frustrated. He advised Bradford wants to attract people to town, perhaps they should treat people who live here and pay taxes better. Peter Fenton, Chair apologized if he feels the Selectmen have not handled the situation properly, as there was a property line issue there, and the town has to be careful about people using town property. This measure is to benefit the town, and why it did not occur years ago, was an oversight. Peter Fenton, Chair read the following minutes from the September 15, 2009 Selectmen’s Meeting: “Bill Starr came before the Selectmen to talk about his driveway which he is preparing to install on the side of his house away from the Town Hall. The Selectmen advised him the town will cut the curb and will pave the apron only when the sidewalks are done. Mr. Starr was also advised if he wants the screen house he may have it or whatever he wishes to do with it. Motion was made by Peter Fenton to allow Mr. Starr’s wood pile, screen house and light continue to be on town property until May 1, 2010. Seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0″. The Selectmen agreed that the light could stay.
Peter Fenton, Chair called Charles Meany, former Selectmen, up to Thank Him for being a concerned Selectmen for three years who was also very responsible in getting the new Highway Garage done. Mr. Fenton presented Charles Meany with a gift in appreciation from the Selectmen and the Town of Bradford.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney to go into Non-Public meeting at 6:20pm per Per RSA 91:A-3:II. Seconded by Harry Wright. Motion carried 3-0.
Results of Non-Public Meeting is: no decision was made and discussion will be continued on May 18, 2010.
Out of Non-Public Meeting at 6:45pm and back into regular session.
Jeff Remillard, Road Agent advised there is one person on the road crew out ill and another person is out on unpaid vacation. He questioned if he could hire a part time person for next week. Selectmen questioned his budget, and it was agreed he could hire a person for the week.
Jeff questioned if he could research and try to find a used backhoe which would cost less money and trade in the existing one. Question was where would the money come from?
Cheryl Behr, Administrator will check into available funds as well as with the Dept. of Revenue for clarification.
Trudy Willett advised she had checked with the town of Newbury and if they register any vehicles for Bradford, the town portion check is written to the Town of Bradford, and if they pay cash, it is forwarded to Bradford via a bank check.
Trudy also advised a Filing Fee for Current Use Application Fee for the Registry is $16.44. Other towns charge a Filing Fee of $20.00. Trudy will check further.
Sue Pehrson, Town Clerk advised other towns do not allow cross over registrations.
Sue Pehrson, Town Clerk will check on State Rules regarding this and will get back to the Selectmen.
Regular Business:
Accounts payable and payroll manifests were reviewed and signed.
Motion was made to appoint Lois Kilnapp and Ken Anderson as the regional solid waste representatives by Harry Wright. Seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator announced to the public that West Road Bridge will be closed beginning April 21, 2010, and there will be a detour. The bridge is located between 274 and 298 West Road. Trudy Willett had a question from John Bellanger regarding fill being moved from one spot to another on his property, and is that an issue he needs to go to DES with or will Mike Croteau take care of it? Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised it has all been taken care of. Cheryl Behr, Administrator will double check to make sure.
Letters were read and signed
Pole license were signed
BCC matters were forwarded.
Discussion ensued regarding getting some prisoners to do some clean up around French’s Park.
Motion was made for a policy to be in place regarding if someone comes before the Selectmen requesting the Flag to be flown at half staff for a local official person it will be addressed. Motion was seconded.
Conversation ensued as to the appropriateness of this concern, and who actually has the authority to order this done.
The above motion was rescinded.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton, Chair to lower the Flag from Tuesday evening through Saturday morning in honor or Robert Stewart, Sr. Motion was seconded and carried 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15pm
Respectfully Submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary