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.
Andrew encouraged people to run for the elected positions that are currently open in the Town.
Appearances:
Sheriff Dave Croft – Dave introduced himself and shared what the Sheriff’s Department does for Merrimack County. He said it is the highest-ranking law enforcement office in the State. There are about 70 employees in the department. There are over 700 transports throughout the year and has been even busier due to COVID. Sheriff Croft gave a brief description about the department and what type of calls they service.
Superintendent Winfried Feneberg and Eric Gregoire – STEAM Wing – Superintendent Feneberg (representing the School District) said they want to renovate and build a STEAM wing on to the High School. Steam stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Applied Arts and Mathematics. Superintendent Feneberg explained that the current space is limited for the students that want to pursue these careers. In essence, the expansion will create adequate and appropriate learning spaces for these students. He said it is dynamic learning in which there are group projects. Superintendent Feneberg said the only staffing that would need to be added is the addition of one art teacher so one can specialize in 2D, and the other in 3D. He said we have good learning opportunities at the Middle School, but then they start to lose kids because the same caliber opportunities are not available at the High School. There would be learning spaces, media center, kitchen, etc. He said the amount needed is $22.27 million.
Fire Department – Warrant Article – Interim Chief Raymond and Carl Goldberg were present to talk about a pumper truck. Andrew said they are required to get multiple bids.
There was discussion regarding equipment (SCBA bottles) that does not currently have enough funds projected in the CIP. Karen said memos were sent out to each department and the fire department did not make them aware of this. They are requesting $24,000 rather than $19,703 that was planned in the CIP. The Fire Department would like to have the additional funds included in the warrant article.
Energy Committee – Warrant Article – Sandra Bravo and Kathleen Bigford appeared for the Energy Committee and requested the Select Board put two articles on the warrant. The first article is a goal for Bradford residents, not a requirement. They are trying to promote energy conservation, efficiency and renewable energy projects and options. The first article is a community-wide energy goal to commit of transitioning to 100% reliance on renewable sources of electricity by 2030 and renewable sources of fuel and transportation by 2050. The Energy Committee commits to helping Bradford achieve these goals in the coming years.
The second warrant article would raise $13,000 to implement energy saving measures for the Highway Garage. This would include insulation and door seals. The annual savings would be significant, more so than the efficiency measures recommended for the Community Center and Fire Station. Andrew asked Steve Hall his thoughts. Steve said he is in favor to conserve energy with this building.
Steve Hall – Highway – Steve discussed a warrant article for a new10-wheeler dump truck with plow, sander, and wing. He has received three quotes. One quote he received was $229,000 with 3.4% on a 7-year lease. Another quote was for $232,749 for a 5-year lease at an interest rate of 4.17% or 4.24% for a 7-year lease. The last quote was $10,000 higher to begin with. There was discussion as to whether the vehicle should be purchased or leased and whether a maintenance plan was included.
Laurie Buchar – Center Meetinghouse – Laurie said the Friends of the Bradford Center Meetinghouse would like a clear answer as to who owns the Center Meetinghouse. They are currently looking to replace the windows with a grant from the NH Preservation Alliance. The cost to replace the windows is $33,000 which would be funded by the grant and donors. Laurie said the Town owns the land but it is unclear who owns the building. She is asking for a statement saying the Select Board recognizes the stewardship of the Friends of the Bradford Center Meetinghouse. Laurie read a proposed statement. Andrew is concerned that if it is determined that the Town owns these buildings, there might be a need to insure and maintain them. Laurie said she has spoken to George Cilley and Sonny Harris, and no one knows who owns the buildings. Andrew thinks this is a great conversation and he would like investigate this more.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to support the grant application to the NH Preservation Alliance to replace the windows at the Bradford Center Meetinghouse to be written by the Friends of the Bradford Center Meetinghouse. He further moved to recognize that organization’s work in the past and expressed a commitment to reach an agreement to allow the organization to continue their work.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
Public Input:
None
Regular and Old Business
- The Board reviewed the minutes of the January 10 meeting.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to accept the minutes.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- The Board reviewed the minutes of the January 13 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 –There will be no changes at this time.
- Budget/Expenses – Andrew went through all the budget line items. New budget data for the Fire Department, created by Doug Southard and Chris Frey, was shared. The Board discussed the differences between the revised and original requests. By consensus, the Board agreed with the revised budget of $148,450. A revised budget for Rescue has not yet been received. The Board agreed to fund Rescue at the 2021 level of $8,780. By consensus, the Board agreed with the Budget Committee’s suggestion to create an expendable trust fund for the emergency repair of roads and bridges and move the $35,000 requested for line item 4313 Bridges into that fund. While discussing the Parks & Rec budget, Andrew emphasized that at Town Meeting he has asked that department heads be prepared to speak on behalf of the key components in their budgets.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to accept the proposed Select Board budget of $2,470,479.78.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- Warrant Articles – Andrew began the discussion by reviewing each warrant article as presented. The majority of the warrant articles were approved as written with the exception of the following:
- By consensus, the Board removed the article proposing $2000 be added to 2003 Fire Department Station Repair Fund.
- As had been previously discussed, the 2015 Town Equipment Repair Expendable Trust Fund will be repurposed to include the purchase of equipment as well as repair. Additionally, the Board proposes $20,000 be added to the fund instead of the original suggestion of $45,000.
- The Board discussed at length preliminary information regarding the Town Hall. The CIP has recommended that $150,000 be added to the 2019 Town Hall Repair and Renovation Fund; the Board agrees. Given the favorable interest rates, the Board discussed putting forth an article to fund the remainder of the work to be done to get the building open. The ballpark estimate is currently $2.6 million to complete the entire building. With funding in the existing trust funds, the amount needed to borrow would be $2.2 million. The Board agreed to revisit this topic when an updated estimate is received.
- By consensus, the Board agreed to create an expendable trust fund for planning purposes and to place $10,000 in that fund.
- By consensus, the Board agreed to create an expendable trust fund for emergency road and bridge repair and to place $35,000 in that fund.
- The Board agreed by consensus to add the article requested by the Energy Committee to implement energy saving measures at the Highway Garage at a cost of $13,000.
- The Board discussed the second article proposed by the Energy Committee to adopt a community-wide energy goal.
Motion: Mel Pfeifle motioned to put the Energy Committee’s proposed article to adopt a community-wide energy goal onto the warrant.
Second: Andrew Pinard
Decision: 3-0
There was discussion regarding whether the highway should purchase or lease the truck. It was decided by consensus that it will be a purchase and not a lease.
- TIF Update – Karen had a meeting Central NH Regional Planning to discuss the TIF District and the recommendation given was to leave it in place for now.
- Town Meeting – The meeting will be Wednesday, March 9 at 7:00 pm at the Elementary School in Bradford. The audio people are in place.
- Town Hall Update – Discussion regarding Town Hall took place under Warrant Articles.
New Business:
- Land Acknowledgement Statement for Town Report – It was decided to include this statement in the annual town report.
- Finalize 2020 Audit – Signed.
- Sign Naughton Annual Post Closure Report – Signed.
- Sign Equalization Assessment Data Certificate – Signed.
- Sign Borrowing Resolution for Town Credit Card – Signed.
Upcoming Meeting:
- February 14, 2022
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (b) & (c) at 9:08 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to return to public session at 10:17 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Mel Pfeifle motioned to adjourn the meeting at 10:17 p.m.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Minutes submitted by Donna Long, Recording Secretary.