Selectmen’s Minutes 01.28.19

February 6, 2019 Karen Hambleton Minutes, Select Board 0

Board of Selectmen Meeting

January 28, 2019

Pledge of Allegiance

Meeting called to order at 5:30 pm

Prior to the beginning of the meeting, the Select Board met in non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II e. They voted 3-0 to reject a settlement offer extended by PSNH in the 2014, 2015 and 2016 lawsuit.

Roll Call- Jim Bibbo, Chairman, John Pfeifle, Michael James, Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator and Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer, were in attendance

Appearances: 

  1. Doug Dow, of 312 Rowe Mountain Road, appeared to discuss concerns he has about habitual events that have happened on his property. While no specific action can be taken by the Selectmen, they did recommend that Mr. Dow install cameras around his property and work directly with the Police Department to address his concerns. Chief Valiquet also recommended Mr. Dow obtain a Wi-Fi scanner in addition to the camera’s and will work with Mr. Dow to have Officer Flannigan be a primary point of contact for Mr. Dow in the future.

Regular Business: 

  1. Karen provided an update that the Town Hall furnace is up and running. A recommendation has been made to insulate the ceiling in the basement to lessen heat loss.

Motion: John Pfeifle motioned to insulate the ceiling but would like to see a quote first.

Second: Michael James

Decision: vote 3-0 in favor

Karen will seek quotes for the work and review the results with the Board.

  1. The Board signed an IT Support contract with Certified Computer Solutions.
  1. The Board reviewed the General Budget request for 2019 comparing the Selectmen’s request to the Budget Committee request. Items that did not have agreement were:

Account 4130 – Executive budget, Selectmen are $5,375.56 higher than the Budget Committee. Vote to approve Selectmen’s Request. Approved 2-1, Michael James disagreed.

Account 4152 – Revaluation of Property, Selectmen are $1,600 less than the Budget Committee. Vote to raise request amount by $1,600; Approved 3-0.

Account 4316 – Street Lighting, Selectmen are $150.00 less than the Budget Committee. Vote to approve Selectmen’s Request; Approved 3-0.

Account 4323 – Solid waste Disposal, Selectmen are $2,800.00 less than the Budget Committee. Vote to approve Selectmen’s Request; Approved 3-0.

Account 4220 – Parks & Recreation, Selectmen are $500.00 less than the Budget Committee; Vote to approve Selectmen’s Request. Approved 2-1, Michael James disagreed.

Account 4619 – Other Conservation, Selectmen are $150.00 less than the Budget Committee; Vote to approve Selectmen’s Request. Approved 2-1, Michael James disagreed.

In total the Board voted to support a General Budget request of $2,031,753.00; Approved 2-1, Michael James disagreed.

The Board began reviewing the Warrant Article Appropriation Requests for 2019.

  1. $11,000 was requested for a new plow for the Highway Department. Michael felt this should be funded under the Highway Expendable Trust account rather than as a stand-alone item. John agreed that the Highway Expendable Trust could be reduced by the $11,000 but felt the plow should be a specific Warrant Article. Vote to reduce the Highway Expendable Trust account by $11,000 and submit a stand-alone appropriation for $11,000 for a new plow; Approved 2-1, Michael James disagreed.
  2. A request for $18,000 for Office Safety Upgrades was discussed; Vote to include in the Warrant Articles, Approved 2-1, Michael James disagreed.
  3. A discussion was held regarding an Appropriation to purchase the Masonic Temple, targeting $25,000.
  4. An Appropriation for $30,000 for Asphalt Road Repairs/Shimming was discussed. Michael would like to see this line combined with the Highway’s Road & Bridges Capital Reserve account. Vote to keep this line separate, Approved 2-1, Michael James disagreed.
  5. The Board discussed the TAP grant sought for sidewalk work which was associated with the Main Street Improvement Capital Reserve account. Bradford was not awarded the grant.

The total of the General Budget and Warrant Articles, as discussed, would result in an increase to the tax rate. The Selectmen agreed to spend additional time reviewing the requests with a vote to be communicated prior to the Budget Committee meeting on January 31st.

  1. Tax Credits were approved and signed by the Selectmen for a Veterans Credit, Solar Credit and an Elderly Credit.
  1. A Tax Abatement was signed as recommended by the Assessor.
  1. The Board signed an Intent to Cut for Map 13/Lot 22, Map 13/Lot 19 and Map 10/Lot 43.
  1. An Application for Current Use was signed for Map 4/Lot 28, Map 4/Lot 27, Map 4/Lot 29, Map 5/Lot 40 and Map 5/Lot 41.
  1. Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
  1. Minutes from the January 14th meeting were reviewed. 

Motion: John Pfeifle motion to accept the minutes.

Second: Jim Bibbo

Decision: vote 3-0 in favor

Motion: John Pfeifle motion to adjourn to Non-Public Session.

Second: Jim Bibbo

Decision: vote 3-0 in favor

The Board adjourned to Non-Public Session per RSA 91 A:3II a at 6:48pm.

The meeting adjourned to Public Session at 7:37pm.

The Board adjourned the meeting at 7:38pm.

Motion: Michael James motioned to adjourn

Second: John Pfeifle

Decision: vote 3-0 in favor

The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Monday February 4th, 2019 at the Bradford Area Community Center.

Minutes submitted by Laurie Colburn, Recording Secretary