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.
Appearances:
Conservation Commission- Ann Eldridge –Ann mentioned with the housing boom, people want to move to the area. With their research, the Conservation Commission has found that the influx of people does not really have a positive effect on taxes, as it does in other communities such as Newbury and Sunapee where there are a large number of expensive, lake front second homes. The Commission also reviewed the Bradford road policies. Ann mentioned that more people want to build houses on Class VI roads and the State recommends not allowing this to happen. The Conservation Commission recommends that building permits not be issued on Class VI roads.
Highway Department – Steve Hall – Steve said there are some issues on Davis Road (where it turns from a Class V to Class VI Road in Warner) due to some rocks that were thrown in the brook that is blocking water flow. He thinks the Town might need to do something about it later. Even though it is a Class VI Road, he and the Warner Road Agent agree it would be in the Town’s best interest to do something about this before it becomes a real issue.
Steve said there are water issues on the east end of Warner Road. He wants to dump a load of gravel and level it out. The members of the Select Board all agreed to let Steve move ahead with this.
Steve said he met with the State regarding water runoff at the intersection of Route 114 and Warner Road. He said the simple resolution would be to regrade a driveway and put a ditch in front of the house into an existing corner drain. The Select Board agreed to act on this after Steve has a discussion with the property owner.
Steve asked if he needs three bids to purchase a steam cleaner. Andrew said he thinks it is good to get three quotes.
Steve asked about East Washington Road and whether he should grind and repave the road. He also has estimates for several other projects including Hogg Hill, Bacon Road, Breezy Hill, and Fairgrounds Road. There is currently not enough money in the budget to do any of these projects. Mel thinks we need to make a plan for this and create some warrant articles for next year’s Town Meeting. Andrew asked if Steve could give the Select Board a spreadsheet of the projects and numbers. Steve will put that together and submit to the Board.
Public Input:
Sonny Harris wanted to compliment everyone for the Bement Bridge re-opening ceremony on June 13.
Regular and Old Business
- The Board reviewed the minutes of the May 24 meeting.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to accept the minutes.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- The Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- COVID-19 Protocol and practices – Karen said she is getting a lot of questions as to why there is still a mask mandate at the Town Office. There has also been discussion about the Seniors coming back to the Community Center five days per week.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to reopen Town Buildings with masks being optional for vaccinated people and strongly recommended for unvaccinated people.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
- Personnel Policy Updates – NH Motor Transportation Association – Karen said there are changes to drug screening and she would like to update the Town’s policies to include the recommended language.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to change the language in the document to comply with the suggested language.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Karen brought up the topic of possession of weapons. Karen shared language both used by the towns of Warner and Weare. Andrew suggested using the same language that the town of Weare uses. He would like to use the same language and add a line about concealed weapons.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to use the language “possession of firearms or deadly weapons while on duty except as authorized by law and used by those with proper training” with “concealed carry may be used by request by the employee.”
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Karen suggested making these changes to the verbiage to the personnel policy. These will be updated and redistributed to Town employees.
- Code Enforcement – Andrew said they restructured the Building Inspector position into a Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer. The position was offered to Walter Royal, who previously held the Building Inspector position. Walter has accepted the position at the same compensation.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to appoint Walter Royal as the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer in the Town of Bradford.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
- Town Signs – Old Sign Removal, Sign Permit Applications, Bement Bridge – Karen had a question about the removal of the old welcome signs. The Road Agent will contact the property owners to take down the old signs and put up the new ones. The Historical Society will be offered one of the signs. Anyone else interested in the surplus of the old signs can put in a request to the Town Administrator.
The Board signed four sign permits for the new Town signs.
Karen showed a photo of the Bement Bridge sign. Andrew suggested putting a bullet between the NH and the date. Someone (who claims to be related to the original Bement family in Bradford) has requested the Bement Bridge sign. The Select Board agreed that the sign should go to the Historical Society. If the Society does not want it, and if the family can prove they are related to Samuel Bement who had a blacksmith shop at the site, they will consider giving to the family. All Board members agreed to this.
- Leases – The Community Action Program (CAP) lease was signed and the lease for Freyler’s Driving School was reviewed. No changes were made.
New Business:
Town Hall – Andrew mentioned that two members of the Select Board were in an informational walk through in the basement of the Town Hall earlier in the day with the Town Administrator and Harry Wright. No business was discussed, or decisions made at the meeting.
There was discussion regarding an alarm system including heat detectors and smoke detectors on all three levels.
There also a discussion about forming a new Town Hall Committee. A list of things needed to be done should also be created. Harry Wright and Brackett Scheffy will be asked to be part of this Committee. Karen Hambleton and a Select Board member will also serve on this Committee. They will also ask past members of the Committee to see if they want to continue on with the Committee moving forward.
- Warner River Local Advisory Committee – Karen said they are looking for one or two openings for the Warner River Local Advisory Committee. Marlene said she would like to volunteer on this Committee. Mike Howley, a Bradford resident, has also showed interest in this position and submitted a nomination form. The Board signed Mike Howley’s nomination form and invited Marlene to serve as well. Marlene will submit a nomination form.
- Request for Town to purchase Map 3 Lot 5– Karen said the property owner would like the Town to purchase a piece of land at the corner of Breezy Hill Road and State Route 103 for $8,700 (the assessed value of the lot). The members of the Board agreed they do not think the Town should purchase this land and suggested the Conservation Commission might be interested.
- Invitation to Planning Board Meeting 6/22 – Andrew and Marlene will attend this meeting
- Abatements – The Select Board will review these prior to the next meeting.
- Letter from Mr. Dick Keller – Andrew read Mr. Keller’s letter to the Select Board. Andrew said they will be moving forward with his request to focus attention on Town Hall.
- Accept donation for scholarship fund.
- The Fireworks Permit was signed.
Motion: Marlene Freylermotioned to accept a donation in the amount of $200 for the Scholarship Fund.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- Sign Three Appointments for Conservation Committee – Signed.
- Sign Lafayette Trail Marker Letter of Support – Signed.
- Sign Intent to Cut Map 4 Lot 15 – Signed.
Upcoming Meetings:
- June 28
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (c) and (l) at 8:19 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to return to public session at 8:36 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Minutes submitted by Donna Long, Recording Secretary.