Selectmen’s Minutes 01.22.20

Meeting called to order at 4:50pm

Roll Call- Michael James, Jason Allen and Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, were in attendance.

Pledge of Allegiance

Appearances: 

  • There were no appearances.

Regular Business: 

  1. The Board reviewed draft Warrant Articles for 2020:
    • The Board discussed a Revaluation warrant article to raise $14,000, which would be in addition to $10,000 previously raised, which is in a Capital Reserve account. These funds will be utilized in 2020 to reassess property values.
    • A Warrant for $25,000 was reviewed which will cover the final lease payment on the Police Department’s SUV and will cover the 2020 loader payment for the Highway Department.
    • The Board reviewed a $10,000 warrant article for the Town Facilities Fund.
    • A $1,000 warrant article for the Town Building Repair Fund, as well as $1,000 for the Police Facility Fund were discussed.
    • A $1,000 warrant article for the Fire Department Station Repair Fund was reviewed.
    • The Board supported a warrant article requesting $50,000 towards the 2006 Main Street Improvement Fund.
    • $10,000 towards the 2006 Fire Department Heavy Equipment Fund was discussed as well creating a new Fire Equipment Expendable Trust, funded for $1,000, which was recommended as part of the Capital Improvement Program.
    • A warrant article will be requested for $5,000 towards the Communication Equipment Fund.
    • $1,000 toward the Salt and Fuel Fund was noted.
    • $2,500 will be submitted as a warrant article towards the 2010 Communication Equipment Fund.
    • The Board discussed proposing a migration in purpose for the existing 2016 Highway Expendable Trust, currently funded at $24,000, which is expendable by the Select Board. The Board would like to have a fund dedicated for town-wide, catastrophic heavy equipment repairs. The Board discussed writing two warrants articles, one which would take the existing $24,000 and raise an additional $16,000, for town-wide, catastrophic heavy equipment repairs expendable by the Select Board and a new warrant proposal to create a Highway Heavy Equipment Fund, expendable by the Town, funded at $24,000 for 2020. Karen will work on the exact descriptions in conjunction with the Department of Revenue.
    • $100,000 for the Town Hall Repair and Renovation Fund will be included in the warrant articles as well as $225,000 for the Road and Bridges Expendable Trust.
    • A warrant article for Fire Equipment was discussed, expendable by the Select Board, at a funded level of $1,000. This is for non-heavy equipment.
    • The Board discussed a recommendation from the CIP for $19,000 to repave the Fire Station driveway. The Board outlined any paving demands will be covered under the Road and Bridges Trust Fund.
    • A $1,000 warrant item will be requested for the Conservation Commission.
    • The Board will request a warrant article to move $60,000 from Fund Balance to the Town Hall Fund as discussed during the 2019 Town Meeting.
    • The Board will request the Town approve the movement of $69,731.84 of Block Grant Funds to be accessible for the Bement Bridge project.

Karen will draft warrant article language with the Department of Revenue. The Budget Committee will be provided a list of proposed warrant articles for their recommendations at their January 23, 2020 meeting.

Motion: Jason Allen motioned to approve the warrant items as discussed.

Second: Michael James

Decision: 2-0 in favor

  • The Board discussed their direct report employee review schedule. Karen will schedule Department Head reviews.
  • The Board discussed filing the vacant Select Board position.

Motion: Michael James motioned to appoint Dave Nunnally as interim Selectman.

Second: Jason Allen

Decision: 2-0 in favor

The Board recessed from 5:27pm to 5:30pm.

  • The Board agreed to add a review of the equipment assessment conducted to the next meeting agenda.

Motion: Jason Allen motioned at adjourn to non-public session at 5:31pm.

Second: Michael James

Decision: 2-0 in favor

Motion: Jason Allen motioned at adjourn to public session at 6:39pm.

Second: Michael James

Decision: 2-0 in favor

The Board discussed the review process going forward.

Motion: Michael James motioned at adjourn at 6:45pm.

Second: Jason Allen

Decision: 2-0 in favor

The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Monday, January 26th, 2020 at 6:30pm, at the Bradford Community Center.

Minutes submitted by Laurie Colburn, Recording Secretary