Select Board Meeting called to order at 7:00pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call – Jason Allen (Chair), Marlene Freyler, Michael James and Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, were in attendance.
The Board extended their condolences to Hank Thomas, a part-time Police Officer in Bradford, on the loss of his wife Helga.
Appearances:
- Marcia Keller appeared on behalf of the Nelson Family, and the Nelson Farm Corporation, whose land abuts Pierce road on both sides. The family requests the support of the Board to place a Warrant Article to discontinue maintenance, and close, approximately 2,200’ of Pierce Road, or alternatively requests a Warrant Article to place a gate on Pierce Road to prevent public traffic from traveling this section of road. Some of this road is abutted by the Dunne family. The Board was supportive and will follow up with the Dunne family.
- Steve Hall continued providing a Highway Department update held over from the previous meeting. He provided the Board with an update on a failing culvert on Deer Valley Road, cost estimates to repair varied from $200,000 to $800,000 depending on the solution chosen. He did not ask for any immediate action to be taken just wanted to get the project on the Board’s radar. Steve provided pricing for flashing light signs proposed to be installed at the Elementary School to slow traffic for the school crossing. The cost ranged from $7,087 to $9,200, plus an addition $200 to $300 for installation related material. Steve recommended talking with the Town of Newbury and the Bradford/Newbury/Sutton Youth Sports group about cost sharing if the Town wants to pursue this option. The Board discussed other options, including speed bumps or additional signage options which Steve will price out. Police Chief Jim Valiquet provided some suggestions on alternative sign options. Michael will follow up on speed bump options. Chief Valiquet requested the Town also follow up with the Town’s insurance provider concerning speed bumps to ensure liability associated with speed bumps are understood.
Steve provided 3 quotes for paving for areas where road repairs have been done and are needing pavement. Quotes ranged from $28,000 to $42,000.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to use United Construction for the paving of bridges and culverts.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Steve did speak with Eversource regarding the telephone pole relocation at the intersection of High Street and Cochran Hill needed to reconfigure the intersection. Eversource is behind on scheduling work and the intersection work will be held off until spring. The department will pursue addressing the drainage work this year and has already pushed back the banks in that area. Steve asked the Board about pursuing guard rail replacement projects. Guard rails at the bridge on Fairgrounds Road near the intersection of West Meadow Road is pending an insurance claim. Additional guard rail work is needed on Breezy Hill Road, Davis Road, Jones Road, of particular concern is Center Road. Jason asked what are the Town’s liability concerns. Karen will follow up with the New Hampshire Municipal Association regarding the Town’s liability. Chief Valiquet recommended following up with New Hampshire Municipal Association or the Town’s insurance provider. Steve asked the Board about posting and closing Class IV Roads. The Board said the roads should be posted. The Board and Steve discussed the results of speed surveys done near French’s Park. There was no indication that excessive speeding was being observed in that area. The group discussed the 10-year Department of Transportation Capital Improvement Program project request. Karen will follow up on the specific requirements a project needs to meet to be eligible for inclusion. Additional discussion revolved around other program options that the Town could pursue to seek funding for other road and bridge initiatives. Michael would like to have the department explore additional opportunities to pursue funding support to address road and bridge funding demands.
- Police Chief Jim Valiquet provided an update for the Police Department. The department has responded to 348 calls over the last month. He provided the Board with specific details regarding the call activity. He also discussed activity at French’s Park, which has significantly slowed down. The challenges experienced in Bradford were not dissimilar to activity in Sunapee and New London. For 2021, he recommends placing permits in a location on the vehicle where they can be seen as the vehicle enters the parking area.
Since 2014 the department has responded to 62,513 calls, weekend volume tends to be higher than weekday activity. Jason asked about the status of the new cruiser. The Chief anticipates it will arrive by the end of October. He also discussed the budget and no concerns were raised. COVID-19 practices by the department were discussed, the station remains closed to the public although specific interactions are conducted at the station.
Karen outlined that she and the Chief will be discussing utilization of the Bradford Area Community Center with the Community Action Program regarding opening limited services. Chief Valiquet recommends waiting until flu season is over but will meet with the CAP to explore ideas.
- Lois Kilnapp, Transfer Station Manager, provided an update on activity at the Transfer Station. Solid Waste collection budget may need to be used to support costs associated with glass collection. Lois is working on painting what can be addressed, contract painting resources are not going to be able to get to the site this year so she will continue to do what she can. Jason asked about crushing glass for use on the roads. Steve and Lois outlined difficulties in having crushed glass use as a cost effective or community accepted product. Glass disposal is projected to cost about $800 more in 2020 than usually seen.
Regular and Old Business:
- Account Payables and the Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- Karen let the Board know that pricing for propane was locked in at $1.215, up $.14 over the previous year, and fuel oil was locked in at $1.40, lower by just under $.68, which is the higher utilized product.
- The County portion of the tax bill was received which was $567,00 last year and is $620,000 this year. The Board discussed the drivers of property taxes, County, Town and School taxes. Marlene discussed an equalization bill being discussed at the State level regarding allocation of State funding.
- The Board discussed following up on the DeGange proposal. This will be discussed on October 5th.
- Jason outlined a situation with a shooting range at the Fish and Game Club. He described a change in how the club operates, starting to sell memberships as a commercial opportunity. He outlined that the location will need a Site Plan and felt the use was out of compliance with Town Ordinance. The Fish and Game Club will be having a preliminary consultation with the Planning Board on Tuesday September 22nd, 2020. Karen noted that 10 written complaints had been received. The Board discussed the Site Plan process as well as sound ordinance opportunities that could be explored to address the complaints regarding shooting noise.
- Karen provided the Board with a synopsis of a Payroll Tax Deferral program signed by the President. The Town has not received any requests but Karen wanted to familiarize the program with the Board.
- The Board debated the pros and cons of migrating to an SB-2 structure for Town Meeting. RSA 40:13, Senate Bill 2, also known as SB2, (Official Ballot Referenda) is a form of town meeting that has two sessions. The first session (deliberative session) is for explanation, discussion, debate and amendments to the proposed operating budget and warrant articles. The second session (voting session) allows voters to cast an official ballot to pass/fail proposed articles. Jason and Michael expressed support for the structure. Michael feels that the current Town Meeting structure is a forum that creates an environment of bullying. Jason expressed support as a Town resident, feeling that the structure is easier to participate in. Marlene was not in favor; she feels that participation in Town Meeting and awareness will decrease. The Board will explore the topic in more detail.
- The Board also discussed proposing a move from a three person to five person Select Board. The Board debated the pros and cons of proposing to expand the Board at the Town Meeting. Michael and Jason are in favor of this structure as they felt that it allows for more resources to work on activity and ideas to be generated as well as becoming more inclusive and retaining experience. Marlene was not in favor, expressing concerns about the Town’s ability to fulfill the roles as well as increased conflict between Board members. Karen will investigate feedback from other Towns regarding three versus five person Boards. The Board also discussed soliciting feedback from the community.
- The Board discussed getting additional appreciation commentary in the November issue of The Bradford Bridge. Appreciation was noted thanking Edmund’s Hardware for their paint donation for the Town Hall. The painting work was done and pricing came in as quoted.
The Board accepted $465 in donations for new Town signs. Approximately $2,000 has been raised so far.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to accept $465 in donations for the Town Sign replacement project.
Second: Michael James
Vote: 3-0 in favor
The Board signed a Tax Deed for Map 3 Lot 104 and a tax refund for taxes paid in 2017 per RSA 80:71. The Board also signed an abatement.
- Karen asked the Board whether participation in the Census could be encouraged via the Town website and Facebook as Bradford’s census count seems to be down, currently at 54%.
Public Input:
None
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to move to adjourn at 8:40pm
Second: Michael James
Vote: 3-0 in favor
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Monday October 5th, 2020 at 7:00pm, at the Bradford Community Center.
Minutes submitted by Laurie Colburn, Recording Secretary