Selectmen’s Minutes 02.19.18

February 27, 2018 Karen Hambleton Minutes, Select Board 0

Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes

February 19, 2018

Pledge of Allegiance

Meeting called to order at 5:31 pm

Roll Call- John Pfeifle, Chairman; Sonny Harris, Selectman; Jim Bibbo, Selectman; Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator and Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer were in attendance

Appearances:

  1. Appointment to Planning Board: The Planning Board has recommended Carol Meise fill a seat on the Planning Board until Town Elections. The Board swore Carol in.
  2. Mark Goldberg mentioned that the State of New Hampshire has opted into FirstNet. This is a Federal effort, through AT&T, to build and operate a nationwide, broadband network that equips first responders in U.S. communities. The program is still under development and questions are being answered. The Chief commented that with Bradford currently lacking reliable cell service, Bradford could conceivably be a community targeted with service from AT&T as part of the FirstNet program. The Board reiterated that it was frustrated with the lack of cell service on the current tower.
  3. Transfer Station: The Chief spoke to the recent activity and security concerns at the Transfer Station. He briefly discussed the pros and cons of various security options available. The Chair indicated he would support some sort of system. He reiterated that the Transfer Station business hours are posted on the sign at the main gate. He added that no residents have permission to be on the premises after hours and anyone found on the property after hours will be charged with criminal trespassing.
  4. Marilyn Gordon – Treasurer: Marilyn mentioned that Trustee Harry Wright and she had been working with Lake Sunapee Bank to get the remainder of the Trust Funds moved. She also mentioned that with the recent change in ownership of Lake Sunapee Bank, the Town Clerk must transfer funds to the State that the Town receives on behalf of the state from vehicle registrations. She had the Selectmen initial a document outlining who she has granted the permissions to make transfers.

Regular Business:

  1. Finalize Warrant: The Board noted that there are ten articles that both the Budget Committee and Select Board recommend. There are two capital expenditures recommended in the CIP that the Select Board does not support. One is the $150,000 to go into Capital Reserve for the Fire Truck. Instead, the Select Board recommends that Capital Reserve account be funded at $35,000. The second recommended expenditure was for $10,000 to establish a Police Vehicle Capital Reserve. The Chair noted there had been some confusion and misunderstandings with the Budget Committee and that a petitioned warrant article(s) had not been submitted for items the Select Board did not recommend. The Board also reviewed the list of land proposed to be offered for sale. The Board voted 3-0 in favor of pursuing the sale of 13 Town-owned pieces of property. It was noted that 4 of those properties were taken by the Town for non-payment of taxes and there was an incentive to wait until the repurchase period had passed. The Select Board voted as follows on the warrant articles:
    1. Town Hall Bond – 3-0 in favor
    2. Operating Budget (no vote needed)
    3. Sale of Town-owned land – (no vote needed)
    4. Revaluation Capital Reserve – 3-0 in favor
    5. Town Facilities Building Capital Reserve – 3-0 in favor
    6. Repair Town Buildings Capital Reserve – 3-0 in favor
    7. Highway Expendable Trust Fund – 3-0 in favor
    8. Fire Department Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve-  – 3-0 in favor
    9. Bridge Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve – 3-0 in favor
    10. Bement Bridge remaining appropriation – 3-0 in favor
    11. Cemetery Operating Expense – 3-0 in favor
    12. Payments on Lease Purchase items – 3-0 in favor
    13. BNSYS – 3-0 in favor
    14. Boat Launch – 3-0 in favor
    15. Master Plan Update – 3-0 in favor
    16. Survey Community Center Lot – 3-0 in favor
    17. Repair work on asphalt roads – 3-0 in favor
    18. Shimming Roads – 3-0 in favor
    19. New Alarm for Fire Dept – 3-0 in favor
    20. Town Hall protect while vacant – After some discussion, the Selectmen voted 3-0 in favor of NOT recommending this article.
  2. The Selectmen confirmed the order of the warrant articles. Lastly, the Board reviewed and agreed upon the proposed Selectmen’s Commentary for the Town Report.
  3. The Board accepted a donation to the Town Hall Restoration Trust Fund made in memory of Elinor Harris.
  4. Karen noted that confusion in a recent payment of overtime would be corrected with the next payroll run.

The Payable and Payroll Manifests were signed.

Minutes of February 12th meeting were reviewed and accepted without changes.

The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Monday February 26, 2018 at the Bradford Community Center.

Meeting adjourned at 6:34.

Minutes submitted by Karen Hambleton