Select Board Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm
Roll Call – Andrew Pinard (Chair), Marlene Freyler, Mel Pfeifle and Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, were in attendance.
Public Hearing:
Refunding of Town Hall Note –
Andrew opened the public hearing and read the public notice stating that the Town is looking into the possibility of refunding the Town Hall note through a bond issuance. The bond proceeds would be used to refinance the Town’s note at 3.5% dated May 1, 2017. The amount to be refunded is approximately $584,000 and is expected to achieve interest cost savings and pay the cost of issuing the refunding bonds. This is anticipated to save the Town approximately $77,000 in interest at an estimated bond rate of 2.01%.
There were no comments from the public.
Marlene asked about bond counsel fees, and Karen responded between $2500 and $4000.
Marlene asked when will we know what the bond rate will be, and Karen responded when the bonds are sold in January.
Marlene asked if the Town could add to the bond at a later date and Karen said no; however, the Town could take out another bond.
Marlene asked what bond bank they would be working with and Karen replied NH Municipal.
There being no more questions or comments, Andrew took a motion to close the public hearing.
Motion: Mel Pfeifle made a motion to close the public hearing.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
Appearances:
Appoint Cemetery Commission Nominee – Karen read a letter from the Cemetery Commission requesting the Select Board appoint Erica Gross to take over the completion of the term of Katrina Taylor, as she has moved out of the area. This appointment will last until March of 2022.
Motion: Andrew Pinard made a motion to appoint Erica Gross to the Cemetery Commission
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 2-0 (Marlene abstained due to being the Chair of the Cemetery Commission)
Abenaki Trail Project Grant – Michele Halsted and Ann Eldridge – Michele reported that they would like to seek Select Board approval for a grant to preserve the sacred Abenaki site at the Bradford Springs. The Town owns the property, however, there is a conservation easement on it administered by the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust. Ann said that Conservation Commission is in the process of confirming that the grant would not be contrary to the terms of the easement. Michele said the application is due by December 15. She said the grant would pay for 100% of the project.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to approve the request to apply for a grant.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Jim Raymond, Interim Fire Chief – Chief Raymond spoke about Engine 2. One of the seals on the pump was defective and has been fixed. After the fix, it worked well. He suggested that we may have to wait a bit longer than a year for a new vehicle. The Chief is requesting $3,707.49 to make the repair and have the truck inspected. Andrew asked about the vehicle aging out, since it was brought up with the previous administration. The monies to fix and inspect this vehicle would come out of the Fire Department budget.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to allow the fire department to spend $3707.49 to repair and inspect Engine 2.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Public Input:
None
Regular and Old Business
- The Board reviewed the minutes of the October 18th meeting.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to accept the minutes.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- The Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- Covid Protocol Update – Andrew said numbers are high. The Board agreed there will be no changes to the policy at this time. They will review at the next meeting again.
- CAP Refrigerator Follow-up – CAP said if they purchase the refrigerator, they would own the refrigerator and would label it with their sticker. If they were to ever leave the property, they would take the refrigerator with them. Karen suggested moving the refrigerator that is currently in the kitchen to the Driver’s Ed room. The Board was agreeable to this suggestion.
- Vote on Refunding of Town Hall Note, Sign Resolution – Approved and signed.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to accept the refunding of the Town Hall note and sign the resolution.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
New Business:
- Accept Matching Donation for Grilling Contest – Accepted.
Motion: Mel Pfeifle motioned to accept $695 as a matching donation for the grilling contest.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
- Accept Funds for Christmas Decoration Contest – Accepted.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to accept $1,000 for the Christmas decoration contest.
Second: Andrew Pinard
Decision: 3-0
- Accept Funds for Town Decorations – Accepted.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to accept $1,231 for town decorations.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- Sign Memo to Staff Regarding Health Insurance Deduction – Signed.
- Sign MS-535 Financial Report of the Budget – Signed.
- Sign Intent to Cut Map 4 Lot 36 – Signed.
- Sign Intent to Cut Map 5 Lot 111 – Signed.
- Sign Application for current Use Map 5 Lots 18 and 21 – Signed.
- Sign Land Use Change Tax Warrant Map 5 Lot 21 – Signed.
- Sign Timber Tax Warrants for Map 7 Lot 57, Map 9 Lot 47, Map 11 Lots 14 & 18, Map 6 Lot 97, Map 2 Lot 71, Map 20 Lot 31, Map 3 Lot 45, Map 7 Lot 48, Map 13 Lots 19 & 22 – Signed.
- Sign Personnel Action Form -Signed.
- Affirm Funding of 2020 Town Hall Painting – Karen said the Board never formally approved the source of the funding for the painting of Town Hall in 2020. There was never a vote to take the funds from the Town Hall Trust Fund.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to approve that the Town Hall Trust Fund be used to pay for the painting of the Town Hall back in 2020.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- Work at Town Property – There was a volunteer who did work on their own accord at French’s Park. Some materials such as bark mulch were brought in. The Board would like volunteers to coordinate with the Town before they begin work on Town property.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to affirm that anyone wishing to volunteer their time and materials to a Town owned property to work with the appropriate Town officials.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- Building Permit Application Checklist – Karen shared the form for informational purposes.
- Electric Inspections, Septic Prior Approval by Town – Karen said the Town used to sign off on septic designs and electric inspections. This was reversed when there was no longer a building inspector. Karen asked if the Board would like to reinstate these two processes. Discussion ensued. The Board decided by consensus to not change the process back.
- Andrew announced that the Police Chief position that was opened internally resulted in one application. The Board will review the application during the non-public session.
- Moderator Appointment Discussion – Andrew said they will appoint a moderator to serve until our next Town Meeting. The Moderator’s term up for reelection in March. The Board will discuss this again at the next meeting.
Upcoming Meetings:
- November 22, 2021
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (c) & (l) at 6:55 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to return to public session at 7:55 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:56 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Minutes submitted by Donna Long, Recording Secretary.