Meeting called to order at 7:00pm
Roll Call- John Pfeifle, Michael James, Jason Allen, Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator and Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer were in attendance
Pledge of Allegiance
Appearances:
- Carol Meise, of West Road, who owns property on the south side of Old Mountain Road, appeared to discuss modifications done on the side of Old Mountain Road, a Class VI road, which have resulted in a wetlands violation. A neighboring owner had done work on the roadside which removed the vegetative buffer between the road and Hoyt Brook, and modified a culvert which has changed the water flow rate of Hoyt Brook. The Meise’s, in conjunction with the Conservation Commission, had worked to reseed the buffer zone and place barriers last year but found that the barriers had been removed and additional work done this year. Fish and Game and the Department of Environmental Services have been to the site and determined that the work done has resulted in a wetland violation. The Meise’s do not want to see anyone fined for the violations and are seeking the Select Boards support to regrade and correct the culvert. Karen will coordinate a communication with Fish and Game and the Selectmen to determine the best path forward. John expressed concern about having the Town work on a Class VI road. Brooks McCandlish spoke in favor of resolving the violations and believes the Town could hold a Public Hearing to declare the road a fire lane if needed to correct the work.
Public Input:
- There was no public input.
Regular Business:
- Minutes from the July 29th, 2019 meeting were reviewed and accepted. Jason asked that the minutes be emailed to the Board prior to the meeting going forward. Karen will email the minutes.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to approve the minutes.
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- Account Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed. Karen noted that some of the Fire Department members have donated a portion of their per-diem wages for the month of July.
- The Board discussed the structure and the ability of Parks and Recreation to expend funds from the Parks and Recreation funds. Further investigation is needed. Marlene Freyler related some of the history around how the funds were previously managed and some of the requirements of a Commission versus a Committee.
Motion: Michael James motioned to have Karen follow up on whether the funding account is a special revenue or a revolving account and whether the structure of the Parks and Rec Committee is a Commission structure or a Committee structure.
Second: Jason Allen
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- Steve Hall spoke with the Selectmen about the pending repair work on the Pleasant View culvert. After reviewing all the solutions presented, it was determined that sleeving the culvert for approximately $22,000 will be the best solution. The Board also discussed an inspection Steve had done in conjunction with a contractor and John Pfeifle of the Johnson Hill and West Meadow Road bridges. Steve will confirm that the sleeving quote is still good before proceeding with the repairs needed.
Motion: John Pfeifle motioned to authorize Steve to move forward with the solution for the Pleasant View culvert for under $25,000.
Second: Jason Allen
Decision: 3-0 in favor
The Board reviewed whether moving forward would be in line with the current Purchasing Policy. The policy requires obtaining 3 informal written bids for expenditures between $3,000 and $25,000 which Steve has obtained.
- The Board discussed the pending mold remediation work at the Highway shed. Quotes are being gathered now.
- The Board reviewed a recommendation by the Bradford Area Community Center Governance Committee to renew the lease with Freyler’s Driving School with no changes from the previous lease. The Board supported this recommendation and Karen will have a new lease drawn up for signature.
- Karen updated the Board on fuel bids being collected for 2020 in conjunction with the surrounding communities which are coming in at lower rate than the 2019 rates.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to have Karen lock in rates, in conjunction with the other Towns, when the Towns are ready to lock in the best rate.
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- July expenses were reviewed. No concerns were identified. 46.6% of the budget is remaining. Karen noted a $14,000 saving that resulted from a lower insurance cost due to lower risk assessments as managed by the Risk Pool insurance plan.
- The Board discussed the Capital Improvement Program. New project forms were due back on August 12th. The Board will follow up with their designated departments.
- Town Hall update: Granite placement is now scheduled to be underway by the end of August. Bob Bean asked why the work is still pending. The Board responded that there was a delay in getting the granite cut and delivered back to the site. It was further delayed due to the schedule of the mason. The Board reviewed the painting proposal received and determined the work will need to receive additional bids due to the anticipated cost. Karen will seek additional bids and also commented that Trumbull-Nelson should have already received multiple bids. John asked that Karen provide a summary of planned activity and available funding. Karen will send the Board the detail. John also felt that Trumbull-Nelson should reimburse the Town for fence rental costs due to the delay in the schedule.
Second: Jason Allen
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- Bob Bean spoke with the Selectmen about his frustration in trying to gather signatures to request better cell coverage.
- Karen suggested the Board may want to merge the Masonic Hall and the Fire Department lots to clean up the deeds. John believes the lawyers have already updated the deeds. Karen will review this. Jason asked the Board to think about suggesting 2 Warrant Articles for 2020. 1) Tear down the Masonic Hall, and 2) To have a structural evaluation done to determine viable usage and let the Town decide what direction they would like to go in rather than leaving the building vacant and unused. The Board will collect their thoughts on possible future uses prior to the walk through.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to have Karen set up a walk-through of the Masonic Hall with Jay Barrett.
Second: John Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- The Board discussed the two half houses across from the Post Office. Jason Allen will follow up with the property owner.
- John will draft a quarterly update for the next Bradford Bridge publication.
- Quotes are being gathered for the pending Community Center repairs.
- The Board discussed a formal complaint received concerning noise on Ring Hill Road.
Motion: Michael James motioned to refer the letter to the Planning and Zoning Boards for feedback and recommended actions.
Second: There was no second.
After additional discussion:
Motion: Michael James motioned to refer the letter to the Planning and Zoning Boards for input.
Second: Jason Allen
Decision: 2-1 in favor; John Pfeifle did not support the motion.
- The Board signed a Generator Maintenance Agreement for the Fire Department. This is a 3-year agreement.
Motion: John Pfeifle motioned to approve the agreement.
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- A $525 donation was received for the Scholarship Fund as a result of the Trashion Show held during the Independence Day event.
Motion: John Pfeifle motioned to accept the donation.
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- The Board signed a temporary easement agreement, conditional on a Warrant Article being presented, with the Hallahan’s for the Bement Bridge project.
- The Board signed an appointment for Joel Benezak to the Parks and Recreation Committee.
- The Board signed abatements for campers taxed on Map 11, Sites 27 and 43.
Motion: John Pfeifle motioned to adjourn to non-public session at 8:58pm per RSA 91-A:3II(c) reputation.
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Michael James motioned to adjourn to public session at 9:09pm.
Second: Jason Allen
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Michael James motioned to adjourn to non-public session at 9:10pm per RSA 91-A:3II(a) personnel.
Second: John Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Michael James motioned to adjourn to public session at 9:25pm.
Second: John Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Michael James motioned that the minutes of the non-public session be sealed as a proposed action could be rendered ineffective.
Second: John Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Michael James motioned to adjourn to non-public session at 9:26pm per RSA 91-A:3II(a) personnel.
Second: Jason Allen
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Michael James motioned to adjourn to public session at 10:00pm.
Second: John Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: John Pfeifle motioned that the minutes of the non-public session be sealed as a proposed action could be rendered ineffective.
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
The Selectmen decided in non-public session not to move forward with the hiring process for a Part Time Fire Chief at this time.
Motion: Michael James motioned to adjourn the meeting at 10:02 pm.
Second: John Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Monday August 26th, 2019 at 7:00pm, at the Bradford Community Center.
Minutes submitted by Laurie Colburn, Recording Secretary.