Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
February 5, 2018
Pledge of Allegiance
Meeting called to order at 5:33 pm
Roll Call- John Pfeifle, Chairman; Jim Bibbo, Selectman; Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator and Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer were in attendance
Sonny Harris, Selectman was not in attendance
Appearances:
- Pam Bruss – Engineering for Junkyard Application: Pam and the Select Board discussed the confusion around the Letter of Agreement for AECOM. Pam indicated that engaging an outside engineer was a normal part of the site plan approval process for a junkyard. She added that the applicant’s engineer had called and supported the outside engineer’s review. The Board did not want the Town to complicate the process for applicants. After receiving advice from the New Hampshire Municipal Association attorney, she signed the contract to move the process forward.
Regular Business:
- Bradford Village Inn: The Board reviewed a letter from Lehmann Law Office, PLLC sharing their client’s difficult experience opening an inn business since purchasing the property formerly known as the Candlelite Inn in October 2014 and requesting that the board issue a certificate of occupancy. The Board stated emphatically it has always been in favor of businesses operating in Bradford and believes this request to be miss-directed. Karen was asked to draft a letter in response indicating the Fire Marshal’s Office should be contacted with the request for a certificate of occupancy.
- The Board signed an intent to cut for Map 7/Lot 70.
- Petitioned Warrant Article: The Town received a petitioned warrant article proposing a noise ordinance. Karen will contact New Hampshire Municipal Association to get their opinion as to whether or not this is a zoning ordinance.
- Town Report: The Chair shared the dedication article he had drafted for the Town Report.
- Vacant Positions on Boards/Committees: It was noted that the period to sign up to run for office had passed and that there are a number of seats that do not have anyone running for them. Interested individuals could be elected as write-ins. Karen will research which empty positions the Select Board will be responsible for filling.
- Economic Development Committee: There was a brief discussion about making Bradford more appealing to folks to attract new businesses and residents. The formation of the Economic Development Committee was mentioned and will be pursued after Town Meeting.
- Trustee Accounts: The Treasurer indicated that there are still 3 trust accounts (CDs) at Lake Sunapee Bank that should be moved to TD bank. She is working with LSB and Harry Wright to get it straightened out.
- Budget: The Chair went over a budget worksheet he’d been working on. It shows a $115,000 savings in the Select Board’s proposed 2018 operating budget over 2017. He’d like to have an alternative to the CIP idea of minimizing the interest and saving over several years to do the work necessary on Town Hall. He stated that the current BACC office space is not safe for employees and would like to see them in a more secure environment. He also mentioned the deed issues and the need to find heirs with abandoning the Town Hall project.
- Bond Hearing: It was noted that the Bond hearing was set following a non-public session in the meeting on January 22nd. The date was chosen, but no formal vote was taken at that time. The SB wanted to get a memo out to the Budget Committee as soon as possible to commend them for their work and notify them of the Board’s intention to go for the Town Hall bond.
The Payable and Payroll Manifests were signed.
Minutes of January 29th meeting were reviewed and accepted without changes.
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Monday February 12, 2018 at the Bradford Community Center.
Meeting adjourned at 6:56.
Minutes submitted by Karen Hambleton