Select Board Meeting called to order at 6:01 pm.
Roll Call: Beth Downs (Chair), Mel Pfeifle, Marlene Freyler
Also attending: Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator
Review Minutes of August 14, 2023
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to accept the August 14, 2023 minutes as written
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Appearances:
Marilyn Goldberg – Treasurer appeared to discuss online banking options for the town. The Board agreed that Marilyn will investigate the “ACH” option further and report back at the next Board meeting with details.
Eric Gregoire – Bradford Representative, Kearsarge Regional School District. Mel asked Eric to appear to fill in the gaps in communication between the Select Board and the School Board, then to talk about the new building in Bradford. School Board meetings are video streamed and minutes are available online. The Select Board is thrilled to have the new building at the Elementary School, however, Mel voiced concerns about the low quality of the outside of the building for the cost. The Select Board and Eric agreed to stay in touch as the budgetary process unfolds.
Walter Royal – Building Inspector appeared to talk about how the Board can be better informed about building permitting. The Board and Walter agreed that the permits in process will be available to the Board on Mondays for review before their meeting. If the Board has no questions, the permits will be signed by the Board and passed back to Walter to contact the permittee. If there are questions, Walter will appear at the next Board meeting to discuss.
Lois Kilnapp – Transfer Station appeared to discuss the status of payment for the repairs to the Transfer Station tractor. Currently the Highway Department does much of the maintenance on the tractor. The Board and Lois discussed how repairs made by the Highway Department could be given a value and “charged” to the Transfer Station’s repair line in their budget. Also, money for the purchase of a new tractor needs to be reserved. The Board and Lois discussed the option of establishing a service contract with an outside vendor.
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to take $3,028.38 from the 2015 Town Equipment Repair and Purchase Expendable Trust Fund for the tractor repair
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Energy Committee – Community Power Jenny Howley appeared to report that the Energy Committee has investigated two community power providers and has chosen the Community Power Coalition of NH. The Energy Committee and the Coalition have arranged for a public information session on Monday, September 18 at 6:00 pm at the BACC. The Board approved moving forward with the process and agreed to the September 18th meeting.
Steve Hall – Road Agent –
Parking on Church Street Andrew Pinard appeared to voice concerns about parking and turning around in and around his property on Church Street. Andrew suggested signage on the road that can be seen in all seasons, and that there be a public detail to regulate parking for occasions requiring parking in the area. Mel said that the signage improvements are a good idea and that organizers of events are told that a public detail paid for the organizers is necessary. Property lines of the town need to be investigated to define parking possibilities. Steve has ordered signs to be placed to indicate where parking is permitted.
Highway Department report:
- Discussion of purchasing policy regarding the amount of a purchase that can be made without Select Board approval.
- Discussion of use of town backhoe at the Transfer Station.
- Discussion of the plowing schedule for the Transfer Station.
- Communication radios: radios tested were not effective. Research is ongoing.
- Steve will let Karen know paving schedules when they are available to post on the town website.
- Discussion of expense planning for “rainy day” events and funding the road repair plan.
- Steve noted the first bid for the old grader fell through. The Board approved the second bid for $29,100.
Public Input: None
Regular and Old Business:
Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest for review and signature: Done
Town Hall Update: Cisterns are in and covered. Septic is in and will be covered. Electric conduit is in. The exterior is moving along nicely. The propane tank has been set. The sprinkler pump has been installed. The concrete for the ramp is happening this week. Interior details are proceeding. The ceiling in the meeting space on the first floor has been strapped. Tin ceiling has been received. Expenses are coming in on budget.
Karen made a request on behalf of Parks and Recreation to have a holiday event in late November or early December. The sense of the Board was that it is too early to plan. A structured process needs to be in place before an answer can be given.
Review Expenses: At this point 42% of the budget should be remaining. In fact, about 46% of the budget remains. Expenses are tracking well.
Follow up on Policies – credit card policy – This is tied to the purchasing policy. Input from Department Heads will be helpful in establishing the use of credit cards. Karen recommends that Maureen be authorized to deal with the credit card company on all credit cards. The Board and Karen agreed that together with the Department Heads and the Auditor should weigh in on the credit card policy.
New Business:
Appointment to Local River Management Advisory Committee: The Conservation Commission asked that the Select Board nominate Rebecca Herman to the Local River (Warner River) Management Advisory Committee. This is a new appointment.
Motion: Beth Downs moved to appoint Rebecca Herman to the Local River Management Advisory Committee.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
The nomination form was signed.
Mel requested that the Board meet in executive session to discuss a personnel issue at their next meeting.
Intent to Cut Map 9 Lot 47-01 was signed
Intent to Cut Map 3 Lot 26 was signed
Intent to Cut Map 3 Lots 9-C, 19, 23, 23-1 and 25 was signed
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the meeting be adjourned.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Meeting adjourned: 9:01 pm
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Bigford
Upcoming meetings: September 11, 2023, September 25, 2023