TOWN OF BRADFORD
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
OCTOBER 20, 2009
5:30PM
The Pledge of allegiance was said.
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Charles Meany, Chair called the meeting to order at 5:30pm with Jack Meaney, Peter Fenton, Cheryl Behr, Administrator, Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer and Marge Cilley, Secretary present.
Appearances:
Mr. and Mrs. Willard came before the Selectmen to express their concerns regarding the Bement Bridge roof. The Willard’s live close to the bridge, at 15 Center Road and presently there is a lot of thunderous noise when vehicles go over the bridge, being heaviest at dinner time and around 5am. The concern is if the wooden roof is removed and a metal roof put on, will that increase the amplification of noise. Also, what would rain on the roof be like? Charles Meany, Chair advised noise generated from the bridge has ever been discussed previously. Charles Meany also advised he is on the Road Committee, and he will bring this up at their next meeting which will be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 6:00pm. Mrs. Willard advised they have adjusted with the present level of noise; however, much more could be very distracting.
Barbara French, a Lake Massasecum resident for 80 years, read a letter to the Selectmen into the minutes (Letter on file) regarding her appreciation of Steve Lucier’s help in the milfoil harvesting in Lake Massasecum as well as putting the netting in and out of the lake, monitoring of lake water level, control of beavers, as well as maintaining of roads.
Charles Meany, Chair thanked Barbara French for her letter and advised he will see that the letter does go into the personal file of Steve Lucier.
Phil LaMoreaux, Chair of the Bradford Planning Board wrote a letter to the Selectmen regarding property at 2524, Route 103, which was read by Cheryl Behr, Administrator. This letter refers to Mosiac Artiques which is in violation of the Town of Bradford Zoning Ordinance. The owner, Carol Demers has been contacted to file a Site Plan, which has not been done.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney, to forward a letter to Ms. Demers, owner of Mosiac Artiques advising her that the violation of the Zoning Ordinance has been brought to the Selectmen’s attention and she needs to attend the November 10th meeting of the Planning Board, or this will be referred to legal counsel.
In response to a question from Jack Meaney, the Highway Garage Heating concern was to be looked at around 4:00pm today per Cheryl Behr, Administrator.
Phil LaMoreaux congratulated the Selectmen on the upgrade of the town hall parking lot.
Motion was made to table the Minutes of October 15th, 2009 until missing information has been transcribed. Seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.
Regular Business:
Accounts Payable and Payroll manifests were reviewed and signed.
All highway vehicles have been inspected except for the L8000 Ford which is being done now with a clutch assembly, plow linkage, exhaust problems and transmission and tail lights and fuel pump problems per Jack Meaney. The total cost for the inspection readiness of the highway vehicles is estimated to be around $5,000. Jack Meaney advised there is not going to be enough motor oil for heating. Sources other than the dump will be checked into, and James will be asked to check this out. Jack Meaney also advised that prisoners are working at French’s park cutting brush etc.
A speed limit sign will be checked into being installed at Bement Bridge for 30 miles per hour. Also, the bridge needs to be rated for a weight limit. This will be noted at the next Road Committee meeting.
Radios were discussed for now and in the future. A Communications fund should be set up. Mention was made of Henniker Septic flushing out a collapsed culvert up Cochran Hill. Peter Fenton expressed seeing if someone else could do the same thing.
Ann Eldridge and Bruce McCandlish appeared before the Selectmen regarding continuation of an Easement at the Battles Farm property. Ann explained that the opportunity has come up for an LCHIP Grant in the amount of one hundred ninety five dollars ($195,000) which has been applied for. Ann explained that there would be a permanent deed restriction on the property, which guarantees public access to the property, down Jewett Road and in the forestry area. The flood control on the property would stay intact. Two things that would be changed are: There would not be a separate house lot on the property and there would be access for hunting. The property is for sale now. Conversation ensued. Ann advised Senate Bill #381 clarifies legal confusion that has been going on for years. Senate Bill #381 basically authorizes the town money to be used (Conservation money) for a qualified non profit agency such as land trust, per Ann Eldridge.
Part time Police Officer appointment letter signed.
In regard to the Fire Fence at the Way property, the Town Atty advised if there were an issue, the town could be sued for the liability. The fence will be taken care of by the Town per the Selectmen, and Cheryl Behr, Administrator will contact the fence contractor to have it installed.
The following letter written by the Selectmen was read into the minutes by Cheryl Behr, Administrator
Mr. Andrew Pinard, School Board Representative, Bradford, New Hampshire
Dear Andrew;
The Board of Selectmen understands the challenges of budgeting in this economic climate. For this reason, we wish to express our concerns with the school budget submitted will not show any increase over last year. We informed our departments to hold the line at last years level, and hope the school board will take the same restraint exercised by the school district. If you have any information to share with us, please attend the next Selectmen’s meeting.
It was stated that at the present time the school district is showing a 1.5 percent increase.
Assessing and recertification will cost a total of $40,000. Currently we have $25,000 in reserve, leaving a total of $15,000 needing to be raised. There will not be a revaluation, but a statistical update.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton to go with Cross Country as the assessing firm. Seconded by Jack Meany. Motion carried 3-0.
The next Bridge construction cost has gone from $300,000 to $725,000 for the super structure.
An application for bridge aid construction was signed by the Selectmen. It was decided Breezy Hill Road should be the next bridge to be done.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised there are additional Grants that can be applied for if the Selectmen want to:
1. Replacing wasteful or inefficient hot water heater, boiler or furnace, which would save 50% of the cost.
2. National clean diesel funding.
3. Replace or modify old diesel construction equipment and fleet. Minimum to be applied for is $250,000.
Marcia Keller challenged the Selectmen regarding the front door light being out, the fixture will be fixed.
Peter Fenton discussed using flags for decoration on Main Street.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised the Selectmen of the Health Insurance Rate increase.
Discussion ensued regarding NFI and their requesting being a Tax Exempt as being Charitable. They are dealing with the Town Attorney at this time.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:45pm to go into non public per RSA 91: A:3:II.
Respectfully Submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary