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 thanked everyone for all of their help with the annual town meeting on Saturday, April 10th.
Appearances:
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to appoint Ian Foss as Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Devin Pendleton discussed some suggestions for a rain date for the Fourth of July fireworks. Andrew suggested holding the rain date in September and celebrate the incorporation of the town, which is September 27th. Andrew also said that Bradford was settled in 1771, and we could celebrate this as well. Marlene agreed with this idea. There was discussion that the date of the fireworks will be Saturday, July 3rd with the rain date around September 27th. Mel is worried about the man-power available in September. Devin does not think this would be a problem. Devin will discuss this with the Parks & Recreation Committee and let the Select Board know what their decision is.
Motion: Mel Pfeifle motioned to have the fireworks on July 3rd, and that the Select Board support the decision of the Parks & Recreation Committee to decide on a rain date.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
There was a discussion about creating a job description for a French’s Park attendant. Devin will work on this.
Andrew asked if Devin could share a proposed schedule of future events for Parks & Recreation.
Public Input:
None
Regular and Old Business
- The Board reviewed the minutes of the April 5th meeting.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to accept the minutes with a minor change.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- The Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- Town Meeting Debrief – Andrew said the Town Meeting went very smoothly and there was great discussion and questions.
Action Items from Town Meeting
- Identifying and appointing a committee to make a recommendation for the fire truck purchase. A committee will be formed to look at the purchase of a future fire truck. The Board suggested the following people for the committee: Fire Chief Jeff LeBlanc, Marlene Freyler, a member of the fire department (possibly Jimmy Raymond), Chris Frey (retired fire department member), Doug Troy, and possibly someone from a neighboring community. Karen will contact these folks inviting them to participate on the committee.
- Establishing a process for oversight and responsibilities for a French’s Park Attendant. A job description will be created by the Parks & Recreation Committee.
- Fire Department identify a time for SCBA for bottle replacement and internal painting. – Karen will request this.
- The process to sell Town-owned property. Karen will reach out to auctioneers. Any lot that is buildable should go out to auctioneers. Letters will be sent to abutters to see if there is interest in sealed bids to purchase these properties.
- Resolution to take action on climate pollution. A letter will be drafted within 30 days.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to draft a letter to take action on climate pollution and to have Chair Andrew Pinard sign the letter.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- Identify a timeline responsibility for Library energy saving measures. Ask the Trustees to give them a plan.
- Pierce Road discontinuation. Karen will contact Warner.
New Business:
- Rules of Procedure for the Select Board Update –
Making Changes – Andrew went through the document and made some suggested changes. Karen added her suggestions. All Board members agreed by consent to adopt the following changes.
Article 3 – Duties of Officers – Karen said there is some redundancy in this section.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to strike 5.7 from procedures and 5.8 will be renamed 5.7.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Article 4.5 – Time of Meetings – Change in wording in which it states that regular meetings will commence at 7:00 p.m.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to change the wording to “an agreed upon time that allows for appropriate notice to the public.”
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Section 5.5 – Andrew said this is a law and does not need to be a procedure. He stated that the minutes of a non-public meeting must be sealed at the time of the meeting. They cannot be sealed at a later time.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to strike the last sentence of 5.5 because it is not necessary.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Section 5.6 – Andrew suggested simplifying this section.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to change the wording to “The Board shall agree on the order of the business to be conducted at each meeting.”
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
Section 6.7 – This section points to 3.4 and there is no 3.4. Andrew suggested eliminating the entire last sentence.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to simplify 6.7.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Section 10.4 – Karen wanted to clarify when the Select Board wanted to have agenda items published prior to the meeting.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to revise the wording to “attempts will be made to publish meeting agendas by the end of the business day on Friday for the next week’s meeting. Publication can be found on the website. The agenda may be revised.”
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
Section 10.7 – Andrew highlighted the public appearances to keep the three-minute allotted time and look at what the school board does and possibly adopt it. He recommends not changing this yet, but eventually change it later. He feels the wording sounds a bit combative.
Section 10.8 – Andrew would like to remove the last sentence of this section.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned remove the last sentence of 10.8.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
Section 10.9 – Karen would like to change the wording. Andrew suggested to change it to “a periodic basis.”
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to reword 10.9 to say “a periodic basis”.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Section 11.1 – Removed in its entirety.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to remove 11.1 in its entirety.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
There will be a thirty-day window to respond if there are concerns on any of these changes.
- Request for BACC use – There is a small group of fully-vaccinated quilters that would like to use the Senior room. They would not eat food and would remain masked while they are here. Andrew asked if there should be a letter coming from the Senior Center since it is an offshoot of this group. There was consensus by the Board members that they can use the room as long as they follow the CDC guidelines. The group will be responsible for sanitizing after they leave the room.
- Central NH Regional Planning Circuit Rider Letter of Agreement – Karen distributed the letter of agreement. Karen will compare with previous agreements. This will be revisited on April 26th.
- Refund Motor Vehicle Registration – There was an error, and the registration could not be completed due to the error. The Board members signed the refund.
Upcoming Meetings:
- April 14 – Meet the Selectmen Meeting
- April 26
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (c) at 7:14 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to return to public session at 8:15 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Minutes submitted by Donna Long, Recording Secretary.