Select Board Meeting was called to order at 6:01 pm.
Roll Call: Beth Downs (Chair), Mel Pfeifle, Marlene Freyler
Also attending: Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator
Review Minutes of January 22, 2024
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to accept the January 22, 2024 minutes as written.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Appearances:
Devin Pendleton – Parks and Recreation Devin appeared to report on Bradford Independence Day Celebration to be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Devin has spoken with the Historical Society about using the grounds and discussed expanding the street space to accommodate more food trucks. Consensus of the Select Board is to expand the street area. Notice will be given to residents. Donations for fireworks are coming along.
Walter Royal – Building Inspector did not appear.
Bryan Nowell – Fire Department Update
• Incidents as of January 8th: 20 total; 18 EMS calls, 2 Fire calls
• Purchasing of forestry equipment from the 50/50% $2,000 Volunteer Fire Assistance grant has begun.
• A Bradford resident has been attending trainings and is completing an application to join the department.
• A diverse group of residents is working on updating the Town’s Hazard Mitigation plan. Meeting agendas are posted on the Town’s website. Interested parties are invited to attend.
• Working with the Highway Department on driveway standards. EMS and Fire experience occasional access issues.
• Street numbering is moving well with several additions per month.
• Budget: FEMA reimbursement request for $8,700 is being submitted. As of January 31st, the Fire Department has spent about $6,000 in expenses and Rescue has spent $0.
Ed Shaughnessy – Police Department Update So far there have been 395 service calls, traffic stops are at 104 which is up over last year. (Bradford PD is participating in a NH safety initiative.) Staffing is good for now. One staff member is due for surgery. Sergeants are scheduled for trainings. Trainings for school safety are in the works. Reviews are wrapping up.
Public Input: None
Regular and Old Business:
Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest for review and signature: Completed.
Town Hall Update: Pump tests have been completed. Karen will be trained in the coming week to do the pump test weekly. Hopefully, the final walk through will happen this week. Andrew Pinard has offered some sound equipment and furniture to use on the 2nd floor temporarily while he finds a new home for Hatbox Theatre. The Board agreed to allow him to store it there.
Legal Update – easements: Karen is waiting to hear from town counsel about the Historical Society easement.
January Expense Review, 2023 Expense Review: 10% of the 2024 budget is spent. 2023 has a few last invoices coming in. The 2023 budget has about 6% left.
Budget Development (final budget review):
• The Police Department grant will be budgeted as a gross appropriation. The revenue from the grant will also be budgeted thus will result in a zero tax impact.
• The same will be done for fireworks. The gross appropriation of $15,000. Donated funds will be budgeted revenue.
• The expense to be budgeted for Legal in 2024 is to be determined.
• Karen will supply a list of unexpended appropriations.
• Warrant Article draft: The Board continued working on wording and order of the warrant articles.
New Business:
Appoint Facilities Use Committee:
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the Board appoint Kris Foss, Scott McCaskill, Bruce Gezelman, and Karen Hambleton to the Facilities Use Committee. Beth Downs will serve as the Select Board representative.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Accept Unanticipated Revenue:
Motion: Beth Downs moved to accept $473.04 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b from the State of New Hampshire for the CDS police radio grant.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Sign Band Contract for July 4th Celebration: Signed.
Sign Naughton Landfill Post-Closure Report: Signed.
Sign Current Use Application Map 3 Lot 34: Signed.
Sign Current Use Tax Bill and Warrant for Map 4 Lot 21-1: Signed.
The Select Board will meet at 5:30 on Thursday 2/8 to finalize the operating budget.
Motion: Beth Downs moved to adjourn the meeting to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (e) at 7:35 pm.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to return to public session at 8:36 pm.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 pm.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Upcoming meetings: February 8, 2024
February 20, 2024
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary