TOWN OF BRADFORD
SELECTMEN’S MINUTES
OCTOBER 7, 2013
5:30PM
Call to Order and Roll Call:
John Pfeifle, Acting Chair called the meeting to order at 5:30pm with Sonny Harris, Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer, Cheryl Behr, Administrator and Marge Cilley, Secretary present. Harry Wright, Chair is absent.
Public Hearing – FEMA money.
John Pfeifle opened the Public Hearing and advised there is $8,869.85 that has been received from FEMA. John asked if there were any questions from the floor. George Cilley as Budget Committee member stated they would like to see it stay in the Highway Department. $4800.00 is designated to purchase a sander for the Highway Department with the remainder of the funds to go towards the Welfare Department Budget who is requesting another $7000.00.
Motion was made by John Pfeifle to accept the $8,869.85 FEMA money received. Seconded by Sonny Harris. Motion carried 2-0, John Pfeifle closed the Public Hearing.
Police Deparetment – Jim Valiquet, Chief:
Police Chief, Jim Valiquet stated that the Department needs to replace Brian Eaton.
Also, there needs to be a non-public meeting to discuss NFI. Discussion was to continue this meeting on Thursday, October 10, 2013 at 11:00am.
Town Hall Restoration Committee:
Eileen Kelly, Chair came before the Selectmen to recommend a Design Build Construction Manager for the Town Hall Restoration project. The two companies that were pre-qualified last year were contacted and asked if they would still be interested and to update their last years proposals. Those two were Ingram Construction Corp. and Milestone Engineering & Construction who both did forward their updates as well as Bruss Construction. The Town Hall Restoration Committee met on October 2, 2013 and discussed all three companies, and a unanimous vote was to recommend to the Selectmen that Bruss Construction was the one chosen to be the Design Build Construction Manager for the Town Hall Restoration project.
In reply to questions, Eileen Kelly advised there was very little difference between all three proposals submitted. All three companies had been given the same information and requirements.
Sonny Harris stated there is no conflict of interest, disclosed or undisclosed.
Mention was also made that the Town Hall Restoration Committee is seriously considering hiring a Professional Financial Fund Raiser and Grant Writer, who would not cost the town anything as they are paid a percentage of what they bring in.
John Pfeifle acknowledged he applauds the Town Hall Restoration Committee’s efforts made this year, not only in the project, but in the funding of the project as it would not cost the town any money, allowing us to get a better product.
Motion was made by John Pfeifle to accept the Town Hall Restoration Committee’s recommendation and approve their decision to appoint Bruss Construction as Design Build Construction Manager for the Town Hall Restoration project. Seconded by Sonny Harris. Motion carried 2-0.
Discussion regarding funding through banking was discussed and John Pfeifle advised the Selectmen will back the Committee, and it was stated that a 2/3 majority is required for any funding over $100,000.00.
Mr. Bob Dunlop re: Barking Dogs:
Mr. Dunlop introduced himself and advised he lives, and has lived most of his life on East Shore Drive on LakeMassasecum. He stated they hear loud viscous sounding
dogs barking, occurring nearly every night, beginning early nightfall until sunrise. It is constant for two hours, four hours and some times six hours at a stretch. I have to put fans on to dull the noise, wear ear plugs and put a towel over my head. Mr. Dunlop advised he has approached the dog owner on multiple occasions and asked if they would quiet them, and they said they would not as the dogs are part of their livelihood. Mr. Dunlop produced a list of 26 people within a mile radius that is having the same concerns. Mr. Dunlop stated that the dogs barking all night have the luxury of sleeping all day but his family does not.
Chief of Police, Jim Valiquet stated there is a statute that does allow dogs to herd, guard, and protect animals, but for 38 years he has not heard of a dog bark continually. Barking non stop is not what that statute was about. Everything has been and is being documented.
Denise Renk, owner of the dogs stated they are just there to guard their animals. She advised if it wasn’t for the dogs, a moose would have taken down their fence and the animals would have gotten out. Denise stated that she had talked with Fish and Game and they were pleased they were using dogs and not shooting predators. Denise also advised the law states if no complaints are reported during the first year, then one cannot legally come against the farmer. Denise advised she has six goats now with more coming. Denise also advised the dogs are outside in a 10 acre wooded pasture, with a lean- to where then can seek shelter.
Chris Bishop advised the barking has gone on for quite some time. The list of people who signed the list are representative of full time residents and seasonally the lake population triples. There has to be a way to protect the livestock and also be a participant in this community. Right now there appears to be a lot of animosity towards this person.
Perhaps a shelter at night would be an answer. A very unpleasant existence for the neighbors has been created.
George Cilley advised he had been a dairy farm manager for years, and no matter what he needed to do, he did need to be a good neighbor to home owners that moved out to the country long after the farm was there. John Pfeifle agreed that is true no matter the business. Several concerned residents have offered to help mitigate the problem.
Much discussion ensued, and Chief Valiquet will continue to monitor.
John Pfeifle stated that rather than this have to go to court and be expensive, he would hope that both sides could come to some kind of term with a solution.
Chief Valiquet stated that some tiles have lifted in the Senior Room upstairs and have been repaired. It was thought that perhaps the roof will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Discussion ensued regarding which of four concerns need to be addressed first.
Sutton Re:- Resource Officer:
The Select Board from Sutton appeared before the Selectmen to discuss the concerns of having the Town of Bradford support the hiring of a Resource Officer particularly for the middle and high school. If the towns give support, then it would be put on the school budget, where it would be shared equally. At times, this person would also visit elementary schools. This person would basically act as a deterrent for drugs, alcohol and particularly bullying now. It was stated that $32,000 is being asked for to put more monitors in busses. It was stated that the total cost for a Resource Officer would run between $80,000 and $85,000. This is a burden for the Town of Sutton who paid around $48,000 for their police department for the schools in a past year. Chief Valiquet suggested it should come from the Sheriff’s Dept., who already have Criminal and Civil powers for all towns, to be reimbursed by the School District for a ten month period, and have jurisdiction over all communities involved. It was stated that if an incident happened on a school bus, an officer from wherever the bus is would be called in, not the Resource Officer. A response is needed in a week (next Thursday) for a decision. Bradford’s share could be Ten thousand dollars.
Andrew Pinard, School Board member, advised this would be a contracted position from the school district and would likely be a sworn officer from the Town of Sutton, or some other community. The amount the school district is looking to budget, to put on the Warrant would be the same as last year, around $50,000, and is being looked at to be distributed within the school district for a ten month period.
It was explained that a vote to support is not a binding vote.
Motion was made by John Pfeifle to support the School District to hire a Resource Officer with the maximum contribution from the Town of Bradford of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000). Seconded by Sonny Harris. Motion carried 2-0.
Cheryl Behr was asked to forward a letter to Dan Wolf of the decision, with a cc to the Sutton Selectmen.
MS-5 was signed
The Selectmen reviewed the Budget
An intent to cut was signed for Grandinetti at Map 5, Lot 60.
Questions regarding solid waste contract with Naughton will be discussed with him on Thursday, October 10th at 11:00am at a continuation of this meeting, to confirm arrangements.
The Selectmen agreed that A Letter of Intent to approve the Pedestrian/bike grant which needs to be in by October 9, 2013 be forwarded., with a leverage figure of Fifteen Thousand Dollars.
LGC Insurance :
Mention was made that Health Insurance provided by LGC with a final quote by October 17th will have an increase of 9%. Cheryl Behr advised that other companies are being checked out.
The Cemetery Commission is looking for $1200 for repair to the DurrellCemetery on East Washington Road and a transfer of funds may be requested. Suggestion was a Warrant Article may be appropriate for next year.
Erica Gross was appointed to replace Rodd Jones as Library Trustee by the Selectmen.
Budget preparation sheets have been handed out to the Departments with a November 1 return date. The Selectmen are requesting no increase over last years budget, but if so, be prepared to defend same.
Discussion was held regarding funds for the Bridge Contest, and who and how they will be handled. John Pfeifle will put something together tomorrow and get back to Marilyn Gordon. Also, mention was made that all wood for the timbers needed for the off Route 114 Bridge to Breezy Hill Road has been donated and Bill Curless has volunteered to help.
A letter will be written to Ray Critch for a letter on boundaries on the Wm. Starr property.
John Pfeifle advised E-Mail’s will be forwarded to the two contractors, under town letterhead, who were not chosen to be the Design Build Construction Builder as well as to the winner, Bruss Construction, for the Town Hall Restoration project.
Accounts payable and payroll manifests were reviewed and signed.
Motion was made to approve the October 1, 2013 minutes as presented. Seconded by Sonny Harris. Motion carried 2-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:20pm, to be continued on Thursday, October 10, 2013 at 11:00am.
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary