TOWN OF BRADFORD
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
NOVEMBER 29, 2011
5:30pm
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Harry Wright, Chair called the meeting to order at 5:31pm with Barry Wheeler, Jack Meaney, Cheryl Behr, Administrator and Marge Cilley Secretary present.
Appearances:
Tom Riley came before the Selectmen to discuss the Public Notice regarding Bids for the Cemetery. Tom advised No. 1. There are no details of the scope of the job. Cheryl Behr, Administrator questioned Tom Riley if there is a paragraph saying to please contact the office for further information. Tom stated there is no such paragraph. Tom stated that this includes the town’s 17 Cemeteries, Town Hall, Community Center, Fire Station and LaFayette Square. The Town Hall, Community Center, Fire Station and LaFayette Square are not under the control of the Cemetery per Tom Riley, they have no authority over them, and he suggests they be removed from the bid or split the bid between the cemeteries and the non cemeteries. Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised it was put out to bid under one package as they wanted to consolidate. Tom explained there are wages portion of the cemetery account. #1. Custodian #2 Landscaping and Maintenance. The reasoning behind this is, when their budget is submitted, about half of the budget comes from customers and the other half comes from the town that is asked for at Town Meeting. Tom advised it states very clearly those two funds cannot be co-mingled. If the total amount from Trust Funds is not used each year, instead of it going back into the General Fund it would have to be returned to the Trust Funds. This is why the separation was made. The custodian comes out of the Trust Fund, and the Landscaping comes from the town. It was explained that the Custodian does more than oversee; they are in contact with the families, the undertakers as well as interface with the person who opens the graves.
Jack Meaney advised job specs are needed as not everyone would want to deal with families etc. It was decided that the Cemeteries will have to be backed out.
Jack Meaney advised that if they do go back to the Cemetery worker being a town employee rather than a private contractor, then they would have the use of the town truck again.
It was decided that the bids will have to be redefined and re-published again.
It was stated that Dick Moore would still do the Center Church, but not the cemetery there.
Marlene Freyler asked Jack Meaney if he has any information on the Day Care lease, to which Jack stated no. Harry Wrigtht, Chair advised it will be in January.
Bob Manchester suggested there needs to be a vote of the Select board to check to see what the Buy Out of the Community Center Grant is, perhaps it could be negotiated less then the $89,000.00. It was stated that perhaps it could be pro-rated by the square footage per Cheryl Behr, Administrator. Jack Meaney suggested it should get explored. Harry Wright, Chair suggested that there may be those that say the town voted 12 years ago to do the project and question should we be trying to negotiate our way out of it now. Bob Manchester stated that there will probably be a petition at Town Meeting to buy out the Grant for the voters to make the decision.
Motion was made by Jack Meaney to discuss the possibilities of negotiating a buy out for the Grant. Seconded by Barry Wheeler. Motion carried 3-0.
Regular Business:
Accounts Payable were reviewed and signed.
Highway Budget: Jeff Remillard, Road Agent:
Budget Worksheets were handed out to the Selectmen who went over each line item and discussed them with Jeff Remillard, Road Agent.
Waste Oil for the Highway Garage was discussed as they are not finding enough this year. One of the suppliers has gone elsewhere. This will be researched further.
The total Highway budget which was gone over was reduced by $45,500.00 to a total of $513,000.00.
While the Selectmen were perusing the Highway Budget, Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised Barry Wheeler has been to the town hall and dug a ditch in the back to divert the water from going under the building.
Mark Keith questioned if the grader repair amount not used could be voted out at Town Meeting to which he was answered yes, it could be brought up.
Leasing Space for the Police Department:
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised they have been discussing the possibility of renting space for the Police Department, and out of the three considered, Dave Pickman’s property at Bradford Corners is the most practical. The monthly rent is $875 and includes utilities except electricity. Dave advised he does not care what walls they need to put in, but the walls will need to come down upon the end of the rental. The basement can be used for security. There were two leases presented to the Selectmen for signatures this evening: one for the remainder of this year and one for the following year.
Motion was made by Harry Wright, Chair to enter into a Lease Agreement for Police Department at Bradford Corners for the month of December and beginning in January 2012. Motion seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.
Back to Budgets:
Town Clerk
Discussion regarding an Actuary Fee with the decision it could be a non lapsing for 5 years and get renewed at that time.
Revaluation of Property
Building Department
Code Enforcement – Discussion regarding the Sanborn House. Should it be a line item? This can be explained at Town Meeting.
A Public Meeting suggested for December 6, 2011 at the scheduled Selectmen’s meeting.
Solid Waste Disposal – Ready to go to Budget Committee.
Community Center: The Selectmen’s Office is responsible for the building.
Other Conservation
General Gov’t Buildings
The Budget Committee has requested the Selectmen finish the budgets next week, so they can have a chance to go over them.
Intent to Cut:
Intent to cut for Delbert Harris, III, Map 10, Lot 18 was signed by the Selectmen.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised what she can and cannot provide for the Budget Committee, and would like to know who she should be getting requests from. Jon Marden, Budget Committee acknowledged Cheryl does need to prioritize.
Further discussion on Health Insurance:
A letter regarding employee’s Health Insurance Coverage was received from an employee’s spouse. Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised she has been in touch with Tammy Croft and it will be a 13% + from LGC. No decision has been made.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00pm
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary