Select Board Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call – Beth Downs, Marlene Freyler, Mel Pfeifle and Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, were in attendance.
Appearances:
William Lucas – Old Mountain Road – William has concerns about erosion on Old Mountain Road. He wants to have an onsite meeting with the Road Agent to look at drainage in the area. His concern is that he needs to reestablish ditches on both sides of the road. Mel asked about the trees that have been planted in that area. William said that will definitely be a concern down the road when they get bigger. Mel said she thinks it would be good for Steve to meet with him. The other Board members agreed with her. Brian Butler from Old Mountain Road asked where the boundaries from the road are. He would like the Road Agent to show him where the banks and boundaries are. William said when the road is closed during the mud season, nobody pays attention to the posted signs. Karen thinks the individuals who were involved in planting the trees should be included in the meeting as well. Sandra Bravo said she is the Class VI Road Monitor for Old Mountain Road, and she provided her feedback to Doug Southard on the ZBA. She said Hoyt Brook is a very sensitive water body. She agrees that Fish and Game and Conservation Commission should be involved in that meeting.
Erica Gross – Town Clerk – Beth suggested the Town Clerk be open one Saturday morning per month. Erica said not very many people come in on Saturdays. Warner says the same thing. Beth said she thinks the hours aren’t conducive to people who work during the week. She asked Erica if she thinks the Town is sufficiently available to all residents of Bradford. Erica thinks that they are. Mel asked if she could stay later one night during the week in place of the Saturday hours. Erica said yes, she will change the hours to 10 – 7 on Thursdays.
Devin Pendleton – Parks & Recreation – There is about a 10% increase in fireworks cost this year. Mel suggested doing some fundraising to make up the difference. The Board members said they will figure it out. Devin said there was a donation of 7 picnic tables for French’s Park. The wilderness program offered in June went well. Swim lessons have a waiting list. Marlene asked about the fencing at Brown Shattuck Field. Devin would love to fix the fencing if she could find funding. There was some discussion about posts that could be used to fix the fencing.
Sandra Bravo – Energy Committee – Sandra wanted to report that the Energy Committee went through all the energy efficiency recommendation reports and reached out to the departments of the Town trying to find energy cost saving ideas. Sandra suggested having someone start investigating what would be the best replacement heating systems, water heaters, etc. for these departments. Sandra said she would like to hire a professional that could give a ballpark figure as to how much savings there would be. Karen said she thinks it’s fairly straight forward to call plumbers to ask about heating systems and how much they would cost. Sandra said the Committee has a lot of projects going on and they want to hand this project off at this point. Mel said they are looking for a five- and ten-year plan that the Energy Committee for the Town’s energy needs Sandra said they don’t have the expertise or the time to call professionals. Mel is asking them to help the Town plan the expenses. Chief Shaughnessy said he thinks they could call one professional to get a ballpark number. Sandra said she is very uncomfortable in what the Board is asking them to do. She said she wants someone else to step up. She said the Committee members are trying to be high level and to inform everyone what the programs are. Mel said the reason they get support is because they manage the budget well. Karen read the Committee’s mission statement which included doing research in the process and identifying incentives. Sandra will discuss it with the Energy Committee. Mel said they are all in support of the Committee, but asked that they put in the research. Karen asked if they have a plan as to what building should be done first and Sandra said no.
Chief Nowell – Fire Department Update – Chief Nowell thanked Devin who recognized one of the firefighters on Facebook. He said there was some work being done voluntarily at the station and that it has been pressure washed for free. Nathan Nichols put in for a leave of absence as he goes to the Air Force. Parker Resling will be attending Lakes Region Community College in the fall. He thanked Reed’s Wrecker for donating their services when a fire truck got stuck on Johnson Hill Road. They are continuing to add new folks to the department. There was service done to engine 2 and engine 3. There have been 22 calls since the last time he reported to the Selectmen. They are currently documenting 100% of their fire/rescue calls. He has been doing fire inspections with the Fire Marshal. The chief also took a tour of Newbury’s new station with Chief Thomas. Chief Nowell showed the Board the Fire Department the new polos that the staff has. Sweatshirts, t-shirts and ball caps were also purchased, all courtesy of the Bradford Fire Rescue Association. He has met with Chief Shaughnessy, and they are looking into doing some joint CPR training with the Police Department.
Chief Shaughnessy – Police Department Update – Chief Shaughnessy said they are fully staffed again. He touched upon their budget. The Chief said they were approved for the tablets and the AED’s. The second grant, for the body cameras, needs a certificate of authority that the Board approves the grant and will follow through with the grant process. It is a 50 – 50 match.
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to approve the grant for the Body 1 cameras and to have Chief Shaughnessy follow through the grant process, with the knowledge that the price will not exceed $12,365.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
The Chief said they are up to 2,801 calls for service so far this year. There is currently a speed sign on Old Warner Road that will be moved to Main Street in the hopes it will slow traffic down there as well.
Public Input:
None
Regular and Old Business
- The Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- Vacant Positions – Karen reported that the Police Department has new people onboard. She received three applications for the Town Office opening. French’s Park just received one application for the attendant position.
- Town Hall Update – Marlene read a resolution of the governing board to adopt the Post-Issuance Tax Compliance Policies and Procedures recommended by Bond Counsel
Karen indicated the resolution and the Post-Issuance Tax Compliance Policies and Procedures were run by the auditor. He said that it meets the requirements and does not see any reason to not adopt the policy.
Motion: Beth Downs made a motion to accept the resolution.
Second: Mel Pfeifle seconded
Decision: 3-0
Karen said emails are going back and forth about energy efficiency for the Town Hall. Beth gave an update on interest rates on a 3- and 9-month CD.
Motion: Beth Downs made a motion to continue speaking with TD Bank about interest rates and opening an account.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- CAP Lease Renewal – The Board discussed what the rent should be. Karen suggested raising the rent to $775 to help offset the cleaning and let them know there might be a price increase next year to cover rising heating costs.
Motion: Beth Downs made a motion to raise the rent to $775 and make them aware the rent my increase next year as a result of higher energy costs.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
- Butman Road – There was discussion about fielding phone calls from the public that are interested in purchasing properties in Town and looking for specific guidance. It was decided that they come up with a list of questions for the Town attorney. The Board members, Planning Board, Zoning Board and Conservation members will email Karen with questions they have for town counsel.
- ZOOM Follow-up – After speaking with the NH Municipal Association, Karen said there is no obligation for the Town to provide access to meetings via Zoom link. If people want to participate by Zoom, they can call Karen for a link. By consensus, the Board agreed with this moving forward.
New Business:
- Raffle Permit – Karen presented a draft raffle permit that the Police Chief created based on permits of other towns. She asked who should be approving raffle permits.
Motion: Beth Downs made a motion to accept the raffle permit as presented. The Police Chief or Select Board will sign off on these permits.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- A raffle permit for the Kearsarge Food Hub was signed.
- Fuel Bid Process – Beth gave a report on the fuel quotes she received. Discussion ensued. By consensus, the Board gave Karen the authority to make the decisions. Karen will contact surrounding towns and see what they need for fuel.
- IRS Mileage Rate – Karen said effective July 1st, the IRS will raise their mileage rate by 4 cents raising it to 62 cents.
Motion: Beth Downs made a motion to raise the mileage rate to 62 cents/mile.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- Community Center Generator – Karen said there has been trouble with the generator transfer switch and the quote obtained is $9,437 to fix. Mel said she will get a second quote.
- Letter of Support for West Main Street Culvert – Karen said she will have the Board sign the letter of support for the DES grant that Harry Wright has been working on.
- Sign PA-28 Inventory Form – Signed
- Sign Application for Reimbursement for Low State Forest – Signed
- Sign Abatement Recommendation Map 11 Lot 4 – Signed
- Sign Personnel Action Forms (2) – Signed
Upcoming Meetings:
- July 11, 2022
Motion: Marlene Freylermotioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (a) at 8:40 p.m.
Second: Beth Downs
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to return to public session at 9:19 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:19 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Minutes submitted by Donna Long, Recording Secretary.