Select Board Meeting called to order at 7:00pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call – Jason Allen (Chair), Michael James (via Zoom), Marlene Freyler and Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, were in attendance.
Appearances:
- Andrew Pinard reviewed options for audio and video feeds to improve communication during Town Board/Committee meetings to allow better interactions with remote meeting events. Andrew will provide the Town with proposals for a couple of different options.
- Karen Hambleton provided an update on election activity. The recommendation is to hold elections at the Bradford Area Community Center. The Election Officials are still establishing logistics concerning traffic flows and any requirements regarding personal protective equipment. The Board agreed that the BACC should be used for the elections.
- Tim Blagden, from the Rail Trail Committee, asked the Town to request the engineer on call at Central New Hampshire Regional Planning, do a design to extend the Rail Trail from Church Street to West Main Street. The design would follow the existing snow mobile trail and enlarge the culvert between the Fire Station and the parsonage. Tim also spoke about including the expansion of the Rail Trail in conjunction with the Town’s TAP Grant application to seek funding for the sidewalk initiative on West Main Street. He believes this will further strengthen the TAP Grant application. If the projects were to be combined on the grant application, any delta in match funding required would be privately funded and not the Town’s responsibility. Jason will reach out to the CNHRPC to request the engineer on call do the requested design.
- Chris Olsen, Interim Fire Chief, provided a Fire Department Update. Recently hired Fire Chief Jeff LeBlanc will take command on August 16th. The Department responded to 26 calls in July. Chief Olsen reviewed the operating budget. Part-time wages are trending over budget. This has been partially recouped in unanticipated revenue from the First Responders Stipend Funding due to COVID-19. Several other areas of the budget are also trending over. The Chief complemented Reeds Automotive and Banks Chevrolet for their support in fixing Rescue Two as they were able to reduce the repair cost by half. Ultimately Chief Olsen feels the budget needs to be increased slightly in 2021 and will review the detail with the new Chief. Three members of the Department were promoted in rank, Elliot Brown was promoted to Deputy Chief, Steve Snyder to Lieutenant and Rob Steiz was promoted to Captain. Training events continue, with EMS training being conducted on August 10th. Transfer of Command will occur on August 16th. Chief Olsen thanked the Town for allowing him to serve the Town and encouraged the Board to continue to keep in close communications with the Department. He also thanked the Fire Department members and stated the Town has a good, hard-working and dedicated Fire Department.
- Steve Hall, Town Road Agent, reviewed Intent to Cut and driveway permit activity. No Road issues have been identified. Steve is working on paving cost estimates to restore Massasecum Ave where a culvert was replaced. He outlined several other culverts in need of paving for which he is seeking pricing. The Department also did a lot of storm clean up last week and grading work is underway. Mowing activity has been delayed but is planned to begin at the end August. A speed study has been done on Route 114 and results are expected soon. Steve is working on getting a quote to repair the guardrails, damaged in a motor vehicle accident, on the bridge on Fairgrounds Road near West Meadow Road. This should be covered by the driver’s insurance. Steve is going to get pricing to repair guard rails in other locations at the same time including Center Road. Steve also wanted the Town to know that the Warner River Watershed folks are working in Town this week. He provided an update that signs are being placed on Route 114, at the Tappan Bridge, noting that the area is part of the Warner River Watershed. Eversource has resumed pole work and a schedule for pole work at the Water Street intersection is still pending. Steve reviewed his current budget results. Jason asked what work can still be accomplished within the budget. Steve still plans to accomplish some paving, crack seal, chip seal and oil activity, dependent upon the final project costs of activity already planned. Karen shared a complaint concerning potholes on West Road. Steve stated they had used cold patch four times already and the road needs paving.
Regular and Old Business:
- The Board reviewed the Minutes of the July 27th and July 30th meetings.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to approve the Minutes of July 27th and July 30th, 2020
Second: Marlene Freyler
Vote: 3-0 in favor
- Account Payables and the Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- The Board reviewed expenses and revenues. Fire Department and legal expenses are trending over. The total budget has 40% remaining and the Board believes they can manage within the full year constraint.
- Karen received an email regarding garbage at 18 Massasecum Ave. Lieutenant Ed Shaughnessy, of the Bradford Police Department, and Naughton and Sons cleaned up the situation due to health concerns.
- Jason asked that a planning session be coordinated to review next steps to be taken at the Town Hall. Exterior painting is planned for late September. Jason will work with Karen to schedule a meeting in the next 3 weeks or so.
New Business:
- The Board accepted $645 in donations for new Town signs received from Harriet Douglass, the Cilley family, Naughton & Sons and Sandra True.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to accept $645 in donations for the Town Sign replacement project.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Vote: 3-0 in favor
- The Board signed a license to sell pistols and revolvers for Kraken Ammunition.
- The Board signed Intent to Cuts for Map 20 Lot 31, Map 2 Lot 71, Map 13 Lot 20 and Map 13 Lot 30.
- The Board signed a Current Use Application.
- Personal Action Forms for the Fire Department were signed.
Public Input:
- Steve Hall asked when repairs would be made to the snack shack at Brown Shattuck Field. The roofing is supposed to be completed on August 11, but the Board will follow up if it is not completed.
- Marlene asked about the status of businesses running food stands on Route 114. Jason expressed no concerns provided there were no traffic issues. Chief Valiquet indicated there had been no traffic issues.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to adjourn to non-public session, per RSA 91-A:3:II (a) at 8:25 pm
Second: Michael James
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to return to public session at 8:53 pm
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3,II (l) at 8:53 pm
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to return to public session at 8:58 pm
Second: Jason Allen
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn at 8:58 pm
Second: Jason Allen
Decision: 3-0 in favor
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Monday August 24th, 2020 at 7:00pm, at the Bradford Community Center.
Minutes submitted by Laurie Colburn, Recording Secretary