Select Board Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call – Beth Downs, Marlene Freyler, and Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, were in attendance. Mel Pfeifle was absent.
Appearances:
Bryan Nowell – Fire Department Update – The Chief mentioned the Fire Dept held a Fireman’s Muster on August 16th in conjunction with the Parks & Recreation Department. He said there were about 40 kids, they were happy with the event, and he would like to do this again. He said they have about 38% left in the Fire Dept budget. There have been 26 calls since he last updated the Board. The Dept has done some training as well as ladder and truck checks. The Chief has done six more fire inspections with businesses. The Chief is working to assess the Department’s needs in replacing radios and pagers. Henniker Fire will be joining the Bradford Fire and Police Departments for CPR and AED training. All trucks will be going in for inspection in September. The insurance company did a walk through to identify any issues. The last of the paperwork on the prebuilds for the new fire truck has been completed.
Steve Hall – Highway Department Update – Steve also has 38% of his budget remaining. Steve said he visited East Shore Drive and Bacon Road with the engineer. As far as East Shore Drive, the engineer agreed with Steve’s recommendation of building up the gravel to direct the water. Asphalt is not his first choice. He suggested getting a hammer to break up the ledge to have a more refined ditch. But in doing this, everything will go to the culvert and the culvert will likely not be big enough, so the engineer suggested a bigger concrete culvert. The work will encompass a few hundred feet of road and a day of the grader being out there with the backhoe and a digger. Steve estimates this would cost $18,000. Discussion ensued. It was decided to patch this for the winter. On Bacon Road, there is a 12” pipe and the water collects because the culvert is not big enough to move the water. The engineer suggested building the road up, defining the ditch a bit more and adding stone in. Steve estimates that the cost to fix this issue will be $10,000. Beth asked which was more urgent. Steve said they can patch the asphalt and smooth Bacon Road a bit. Steve said they can also work on the ditch this fall. Beth thinks Steve should be contacting the State since the runoff is coming off Route 114. Steve will contact the State. Beth asked Steve to look at a washout on Howlett Road when he gets a chance. Steve said pipes for Marshall Hill and East Shore Drive have been ordered. Steve reviewed what was discussed stating they will put gravel on East Shore Drive and slope it. On Bacon Road, they will enhance the ditch and talk to the State.
Public Input:
None
Regular and Old Business
- The Board reviewed the minutes of the August 8, 2022, meeting.
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to accept the minutes for the August 8, 2022, meeting.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 2-0
- The Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- Vacant Positions – Karen said she made an offer for the Bookkeeper position, and it has been accepted. The new person will start at the end of September.
- Town Hall Update – Karen said the $2.2 million will go into a 4-week CD this Thursday, expiring September 22nd. At that time, the Board will decide what to do with the money. Karen made a request to transfer $48,000 from the trust fund into the Town Hall checking account.
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to transfer $48,000 from the 2019 Town Hall Repair and Renovation Expendable Trust Fund into the Town’s checking account.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 2-0
Karen suggested the proposal needs to be cleaner with DMI. She would like to see an updated proposal.
- Expense Review – Marlene reviewed the expenses.
- Election Reminder – Marlene reminded the Board about the upcoming elections.
New Business:
- McKibben Contract for Naughton Property Testing – The Board Chair signed two copies.
- Accept Unanticipated Revenue per RSA 31:95-b
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to accept $22,721.92 in unanticipated funds per RSA 31:95-b for the partial reimbursement of tablets and AEDs for the Police cruisers.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 2-0
Karen noted that the Town had received approximately $76,000 in additional Highway Block grant money.
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to accept $76,422.05 in unanticipated funds per RSA 31:95-b.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 2-0
- Sign Lease Agreement with Freyler’s Driving School – Signed.
- Karen paraphrased a letter from the CAP program thanking the Town for its support.
Upcoming Meetings:
- September 12, 2022
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:59 p.m.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Vote: 2-0 in favor
Minutes submitted by Donna Long, Recording Secretary.