Select Board Meeting called to order at 6:03 pm
Roll Call – Andrew Pinard (Chair), Marlene Freyler, Mel Pfeifle and Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, were in attendance.
Appearances:
Cressy Road Concern – Rich & Cathie Mozzetta – Rich and Cathie explained they bought the property across the street from the Dillons in 2018. When they first purchased the property, they had a good relationship with the neighbors. Rich said they do not reside at the property year-round. Due to Covid, they only came to their property for a three-week period in 2020. In that time, they noticed a big difference in activity in the neighboring property including damage to the road, trucks coming in and out of the property and big slabs of wood at the edge of the driveway.
Discussion ensued regarding whether or not the Dillons were ever approved as a home business. Pam Bruss (Planning Board Chair) said the Dillons have never been approved as a home business in the past. She explained the Dillons recently came in to seek approval for a home business and were sent to the Zoning Board because there were multiple conditions they did not meet to be approved as a home business.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned that the Board issue a cease-and-desist until the property owner goes through the process with the Zoning and/or Planning Boards to become an approved home business.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
Rich went on to say that he noticed a pile of sawdust on the Dillon property last week and then saw that it was gone a few days later. Rich then walked on his property and noticed sawdust had been dumped on his property about 25’ from his dug well. He has taken a water sample and would like the Town to follow up with DES. Andrew said they will send the Code Enforcement Officer to the Mozzetta property to take a water sample and will send along to DES. Chief Valiquet suggested the Mozettas contact the Fire Chief to have him look at the property to determine if it is considered hazardous material. Andrew encouraged anyone who has been a victim of illegal dumping to go ahead and contact the Town personnel or the Police Chief and not wait until the following Select Board meeting.
Food Pantry – Steve Pierce gave an update on the food pantry. Steve explained the food pantry was flooded in the rainstorm of July 29. The volunteers had to throw out all the food, and the appliances. They are hoping the furnace can be salvaged once it has dried out. The remediation will cost between $8,000 and $11,000 which will dehumidify and dry out the building. Steve mentioned that the area food pantries will help out for August. Karen said she had notified the Church that they should reach out to FEMA and that process has begun. Andrew asked if the Church insurance could cover this, but Steve said the Church does not have flood insurance. Karen said the Church should be looking for funding for the remediation first. Harry Wright said he does not think the culvert is adequate and that is part of the reason for the flooding. Andrew said the culvert was replaced back in 2008 and that the Road Agent will be on top of it.
340 Fairgrounds Road – Michael Malecha – Andrew gave an update on what has been done thus far regarding this issue. He mentioned that the Conservation Commission visited the site and sent a letter to the Town. A letter from Rebecca Herman has also been received. Andrew reported that the Code Enforcement Officer has had a health issue and has not been able to visit the property. The CEO will go out as soon as he is better and try to determine whether they are running a business. Andrew also reported that DES is looking into some things as well. Chief Valiquet said they have gone out 223 times on directed patrol to the property since January 1. Chief Valiquet spoke to the parties who live there and sent his report to the town. Discussion ensued as to why the motion for a temporary noise ordinance was voted down at the last Select Board meeting. Pam Bruss (Planning Board Chair) said that when the Planning Board does take a look at this ordinance in the future, it will be important to look at is for the good of the town, and not just how it benefits this situation.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to have a review by the Code Enforcement Officer with a cease-and-desist order to be issued if a business is determined to be operating on the property, and a review of whether or not the vehicles found on the property fall under the junk yard statutes in the zoning ordinance.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
CIP Committee – Carol Troy and Justin Dohrn gave an update on the CIP Committee. She gave the schedule of the upcoming meetings. She said they are hoping to be done by November 3 the latest. She stated they are still waiting to hear from department heads at this point in time. Andrew asked if their recommendations could be shared with the public prior to the Town Meeting. He said they could make mention of it in the first few pages of the annual report. He also suggested putting a summary in The Bradford Bridge. It can also be posted on the website as well, on the CIP subpage. Karen does not think that department heads will be asking for anything new.
Highway Department – Steve Hall – The Welcome to Bradford signs have all been installed. JCR is staging at the transfer station and paying the Town $500/month for 3-4 months. Fuzzy Brothers will be onsite crushing material soon. Oakdale Road has been repaired. Steve then reported on the flood damage. He said that if FEMA funding is not made available there is significant money that needs to come out of the Roads and Bridges Expendable Trust Fund to use toward this damage. The Board thanked Steve for all of the extra hours they have put in in the last few weeks.
Public Input:
Carl Hanson asked where the Town gets its gravel. He asked Steve asked about Class VI roads. Steve said landowners would be responsible for their own maintenance of the roads including using crushed gravel. Carl said his concern is the vibration on the road due to excavation and machines running about 20 hours a day down by West Road. He said a lot of gravel is going by his house as well. He is concerned that there is a gravel pit being operated by his home. Andrew suggested he write a letter and/or fill out a form on the Bradford website to provide additional details upon which the Board can act.
Regular and Old Business
- The Board reviewed the minutes of the July 26 meeting. In the discussion about the Masonic Building, Andrew asked that “Andrew said he would need a commercial kitchen.” be changes to “Andrew asked whether he would need a commercial kitchen.” In the discussion about Cressy Road, under bullet 4, Andrew asked that the first sentence be changed to read: “Andrew asked how many employees there were and quoted that no more than two that do not reside at the address can work at a home business.” There were no objections to these changes.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to accept the minutes.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- The Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- Code Enforcement Follow Up on Blaisdell Hill Road – David Brown had asked the Town to look into a business. The Code Enforcement Officer visited the site and determined the property owner was in compliance of a home business.
- Complaint/Concern Form – Format of Complaints – Andrew said he developed a form that he showed the rest of the Board members. Andrew would like the Board members to review and give feedback.
- Town Organizational Chart – Flow of Information – Andrew discussed the importance of this chart. It is important when gathering information not to overwork our staff and that every action is a Board action and not an individual action.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to schedule a non-meeting with the Town’s attorney.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
New Business:
- Zoning Complaint Form – Bradford Fish and Game – Karen distributed the complaint form. Amy Manzelli of BCM Environmental & Land Law PLLC said this was covered last year. She said the Fish and Game can have 2 or 3 hunter safety classes per year. Any other shooting events either, commercial or recreational activity, would require a site plan approval which is not in place. Andrew asked Amy for the name of her client. Amy said she would ask her client if it would be okay to disclose the name in a non-public setting. Andrew and Marlene said they would like to know the name of the client. Andrew will ask the Town attorney if they should receive the name of the client. Andrew will also ask the Police Chief if there were any other complaints by neighbors.
- Letter Requesting Assistance – No action needed at this time.
- Fuel Bids –Karen will email the Board members with the bids as soon as she has received them all.
- Depreciation of Town Vehicles – Mel said she wants the department heads to itemize the repairs on their equipment.
- Sign Driveway Permit Application Map 7 Lot 69 – Signed.
- Sign Intents to Cut (2) Map 10 Lot 10 and Map 12 Lot 7 – Signed.
- Sign Land Use Change Tax Warrant Map 10 Lot 12 – Signed.
- Sign Campground Abatement Recommendations – 6 – Signed.
- Sign Warner River Nomination Form – Signed.
- Sign Application for Reimbursement – Low State Forest – Signed.
- Review and Sign Energy Improvement Contract for Library – Not signed. More information is needed from the Library Trustees.
Upcoming Meetings:
- August 23
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (c) at 9:07 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to return to public session at 10:17 p.m.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0 in favor
In non-public session, the Board agreed to deed 4 properties for non-payment of taxes. Those properties are: Map 6 Lot 17, Map 6 Lot 48, Map 6 Lot 94 and Map 5 Lot 81.
Motion: Mel Pfeifle motioned to adjourn the meeting at 10:18 p.m.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Minutes submitted by Donna Long, Recording Secretary.