Select Board Meeting called to order at 6:01 pm
Roll Call – Andrew Pinard (Chair), Marlene Freyler, Mel Pfeifle and Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, were in attendance.
Appearances:
Police Department – Ed Shaughnessy brought up the topic of police detail rates. He said the Town bills out detail at a rate of $55.85; the Town’s portion of NH retirement is 28.43 %. He said starting July 1, the Town’s portion of retirement will be going up to 33.88%. He would like approval to start billing out at a rate of $58.20 moving forward. He said the less than $3 increase is the increase going to retirement. Ed also said that he is the only one is vested so the rest of the officers are not currently vested.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to increase the police detail rate as well as split the billing to the provide the less than $3.00 retirement directly to the non-vested officers.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Masonic Lodge – Holly Fitzgerald – Holly withdrew and did not attend the meeting.
Highway Department – Steve said there were two proposals for gravel crushing. He recommends accepting the Fuzzy Brothers bid due to the better pricing.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to approve and move forward on the proposal for gravel crushing by Fuzzy Brothers.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Steve also distributed three proposals for steam cleaners.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to accept the bid to purchase a steam cleaner from Power Washer Sales, LLC in the amount of $3,995 with a trade-in of $800 from their old steam cleaner.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Steve has an application for a part-time employee. He would be available to fill in when people take vacation. Steve would like to offer him the position.
Steve said JCR is asking permission to stage their upcoming work for Eversource at the Transfer Station while the project takes place. The staging would be next to the burn pile. The staging will be there for about 3-4 months.
The Highway Department fixed the drainage issues on Warner Road.
Marlene asked if Steve could take down a flag that is half down. Steve will check it out and address it.
Andrew asked if Steve would be agreeable to having a feedback form presented on the website that people could fill out if there is something that needs to be addressed. Steve said he would be fine with this. Andrew will work with Karen to create a form that will live on the Bradford website.
Public Input:
The Code Enforcement Officer asked about placing iron pins on properties. Andrew asked him to create a proposal.
The Code Enforcement Officer has also asked if he could have a notepad tablet that would be used for Town business. Karen said all data should be placed on the server so the Town can maintain those records. Karen will investigate this further.
The topic of the Latvian Camp was discussed. Some of the campers have been using the Bradford Transfer Station even though the residences are in Warner.
Motion: Mel Pfeifle motioned to temporarily delay the distribution of Transfer Station stickers to Latvian campers until it has been researched further.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
Trudy Willett of Old Warner Road said she is having problems with her driveway. She wants to know where she needs to go to learn what should be done by the Town. Andrew said if she disagrees that what was done by the Road Agent is not what was originally agreed upon to write things down and submit photos. Trudy said they brought two loads of gravel and put them in on each end of her driveway and then left a hump of material. She said her house has been affected by the runoff of the road. Andrew suggested waiting until a big rainstorm and see what happens. Andrew said the other option is to get a contractor to help with the water runoff.
Regular and Old Business
- The Board reviewed the minutes of the June 14 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.
- Masonic Hall – Marlene and Andrew attended a Planning Board meeting last week to discuss procedures regarding renting Town properties. Andrew thought the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the procedure going forward and he said it was rather the Board members discussing what decisions were already made about a specific building that they would like to be able to rent. Andrew said he spoke with Mr. Steven Buckley of the NH Municipal Association about the Planning Board issuing a temporary approval to use the Masonic Hall. He said he was told that the Planning Board may waive certain requirements for a site plan review, but there needs to be a site plan review of some sort. Andrew said there was a reference to 14A in the meeting. Andrew said the Planning Board has approved the Masonic Hall as a temporary use. Andrew read a letter that he would like to send to the Planning Board.
Discussion ensued.
- Town Hall – Harry Wright updated everyone on what has transpired since the last meeting. He reported that he sent emails to everyone who has been involved in the Town Hall project since 2017. The only person that he heard back from was Marcia Keller who said she would be more than happy to stay on the Committee moving forward. Andrew asked if he could reach out to the rest of the people again and ask everyone for a definite yes or no from them. Harry said he would send another email out again.
Karen spoke about the proposal for fire alarms in the Town Hall. She said she received two estimates. One was for $6,200 and the other was $3,000. The Fire Chief recommends the more expensive method because it is more inclusive and will be turnkey for the future. Karen will ask the Fire Chief to attend the next meeting to discuss further.
- Lafayette Marker – Approval was given by the property owner to add a marker and it was suggested by the NH Municipal Association to create an easement and put it in the deed since the town will be maintaining this marker on the property.
Karen spoke to the Town Administrator from the Town of Sutton and they have a similar situation to this.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to approve the pursuit of an easement either in the form of a warrant article or private negotiations with the current Select Board on the property related to the Lafayette signage.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Harry said the sign is formally going to be a gift to the Town. By consent, the Board members agreed that Andrew could sign the paperwork.
- Bement Bridge Sign – A final design for the new sign was proposed.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to approve the proposed Bement Bridge sign.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Karen will order the sign from the local provider. By consent, Karen will find out how much it would be to increase the insurance for the Bement Bridge.
- Flowers at Little Library – The gardeners would like to dress up the area a little bit.
Motion: Mel Pfeifle motioned to approve proposal #3 from the Gardening Club to put a flowerbox at the base of the Little Library, as long as the area will remain maintained by the Gardening Club.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
- Select Board Goals Process – Andrew would like to create a form to put things on the agenda. Andrew would like each Board member to put down three things that they would like to work on this upcoming year. Each member can email Karen with their ideas.
New Business:
- Fire Station – Andrew did a walk-through and attended a training session. He was very pleased with what he saw.
- A letter received from Michael Malecha will be attached to the minutes from a previous meeting. The letter will also be forwarded to the Police Chief and the Code Enforcement Officer as well.
- A correspondence was also sent anonymously about enforcements. The Board has no response to this letter.
- Community Center Emergency Lights – Karen said six lights need to be replaced at the cost of $990. Andrew suggested replacing batteries before replacing the lights.
- Warner River Local Advisory Committee Nomination – There was one nomination given, but Marlene would like to serve on it as well. Karen will reach out to see if they would accept a second nomination as well.
- Sign PA 28 Inventory of Taxable Property Form – Signed
- Sign Personnel Action Form – The Board signed the appointment letter for the new Code Enforcement Officer and the French’s Park Attendant.
- Sign Intent to cut Map 12 Lots 5 & 6, Map 9 Lots 30 & 31- Signed
- The Board accepted a $100 donation for the scholarship fund.
Motion: Marlene Freylermotioned to accept a donation in the amount of $100 for the Scholarship Fund.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- Review and Sign Abatement Recommendations – Signed.
- Karen brought up a concern on Bible Hill Road. – The Fire Warden has a concern about a property owner that is living in a camper. Karen said there are two other properties that she is concerned about as well. Andrew said the Code Enforcement Officer will take a look at these properties. The Board members all agreed.
- Karen mentioned that the Police Department was paid for 60 hours of comp time.
Upcoming Meetings:
- July 12
Motion: Marlene Freylermotioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (c) at 8:26 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Mel Pfeifle motioned to return to public session at 10:12 p.m.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Mel Pfeifle motioned to adjourn the meeting at 10:13 p.m.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Minutes submitted by Donna Long, Recording Secretary.