Select Board Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm.
Roll Call: Beth Downs (Chair), Mel Pfeifle, Marlene Freyler
Also attending: Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary
Review Minutes of October 10, 2023
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to accept the October 10, 2023 minutes as written
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Appearances:
State Representatives: Tony Caplan and Stephanie Payeur
The Representatives met with the Board to give legislative updates that affect Bradford.
Budget Gains:
- The Medicaid expansion program has been reauthorized for seven years increasing Medicaid provider reimbursement rates.
- Increased funding for childcare and Family Resource Centers.
- $169 million in public education with specific provisions for schools and students with greatest need.
- Including $170 million more in state education adequacy payments. Bradford is set to receive $1.235 million in 2024, an increase from $978k in 2023.
- $40.25 million for programs to implement incentives for cities and towns to build and maintain affordable housing. Includes $10 million for shelters.
- Cyanobacteria Mitigation Loan Program at DES has been established to assist municipalities and community lake and river watershed associations with the cost of reducing the number of chronic and extended cyanobacteria blooms.
Energy Wins:
- HB 111 established a committee to study electrical vehicle charging for residential renters.
- HB 139 established a hydrogen energy advisory committee.
- HB 233 relates to useful thermal energy under renewable portfolio standards.
- HB 281 allows for solar net metering across municipalities.
- HB 166 relates to electric grid modernization, allows and establishes the use of distributed resources and other demand side responses.
The Board thanked the Representatives Payeur and Caplan for coming to the meeting and for their report. Mel asked them to pay particular attention to funds, grants, loans relevant to road repair and maintenance.
Masonic Building Committee Presentation
Committee Members: Kris Foss, Chair, Bruce Gezelman, Anne Kratz, Pat Moreland, Fire Chief Bryan Nowell, Tracey Quigley, Mel Pfeifle (Select Board Representative).
Kris Foss narrated a slide presentation with the Committee’s considerations and recommendation:
Considerations:
- Fire Department is landlocked with inadequate parking and egress for large trucks.
- The Masonic building does not have a purpose that meets the needs of the Town.
- The Town does not have funds for continued maintenance of an unused building.
- Delaying action will cost more over time.
- The Masonic Building location is highly visible in Bradford and can provide an opportunity for beatification which benefits the entire community.
- When the Committee studied overlay maps and the history of the Fire Department and Masonic properties, it was found that the Fire Station is using parts of the Masonic property, with permission. This poses a problem should a third party purchase the property.
The Committee studied three paths for the building:
- Repurpose: For the reasons stated in the considerations, the Committee found no reason or method for the Town to repurpose the building.
- Raze the building, install parking, landscaping: This option would be preceded by recovering architectural salvage for the historical society, reusing materials within the town, and selling materials to offset costs. Cost estimate for this option is $110,000.
- Move the building install parking and landscaping: This option includes selling the building to be moved by buyers. Proceeds from the sale to be used to fund paving, landscaping, and hardscaping on the site. Based on an estimate of $50,000 sale income, there could be a net gain of $15,000.
The Committee recommendation:
The Committee recommendation is that the building be sold at auction. The auction could package up any additional parcels of land the Town wants to sell. Auctioneer package includes marketing, logistics, legal services/closing. No cost to the town, 10% fee paid by buyer. There would be two options:
- Option A: Buyer salvages architectural elements and razes the building. The Town funds fill, paving, and land/hardscaping. Cost estimate to the Town of $60,000.
- Option B: Buyer moves the building with proceeds from the sale funding the fill, paving, and land/hardscaping. Cost estimate, $10,000.
Recommendation for Town warrant:
- Approve the sale of the building by auction as outlined above.
- Raise by taxation the amount of $110,000 to raze the building, fill, pave, and land/hardscape if the auction is unsuccessful.
Jim Bibbo – KRSD Budget update.
Jim reported that the overall KRSD budget is up 7% for 2023-24. Additionally, all seven schools need new roofs with an estimate of $6 million. Other systems are in need of replacement and Jim reported that the superintendent has a comprehensive plan for this. Turnback from the 2022-23 budget is about $200K. For now, KRSD revenues are uncertain. Jim will return at the end of November with more definite numbers.
Walter Royal – Building Inspector.
Submitted permits were signed by the Board. Karen asked about “after the fact” permitting. The Board discussed the need for a system to enforce permitting. The Select Board will revisit this.
Bryan Nowell – Fire Department Update
Incident Report: Year to date total is 159 compared to 173 at this time in 2022. In October, there were 11 incidents: 9 EMS (motor vehicle patients), 2 fire
Fire Department Activities: Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) equipment testing and training, Town Hall inspections, joint meetings and training with Henniker in Newbury on PPE and SCBA, preparing for Fire Station weatherization, participating in Warner Hazard mitigation planning.
Other Items: EMT recertification, fire response reporting is up to date, water testing of BACC, Highway and FD is clean and safe, Volunteer Fire Assistance grant for $2,500 was submitted to State Forestry, working on quotes for equipment purchases, review of the town website replacement options with safety notification functionality, organizing Bradford’s Hazard Mitigation Committee (important for grant awards).
Fire Department Budget: With invoices outstanding Fire and Rescue budget have $46% remaining.
Lois Kilnapp – Transfer Station
Six bales of aluminum cans are ready to go. Tractor electrical parts are in, and Highway is ready to do repairs. The repairs will be charged to the Transfer Station budget.
Steve Hall – Highway Department:
West Main Street will be closed for trick or treating on October 31. Repair of Transfer Station tractor will be completed by the Highway Dept. Karen asked Steve to keep track of labor cost.
Massasecum Avenue Residents:
David Hahn and several residents living on Massasecum Avenue appeared to make the Town aware of severe drainage issues on the road. The residents are asking for a reprioritization of tasks to cover the problems on this road. Safety problems primarily include winter drainage and freezing at the intersection of Massasecum Avenue and Route 114. Cars are sliding into oncoming southbound traffic on Route 114 where water is ponding and freezing. During summer rains sand and other material accumulated at the intersection of Massasecum Avenue and Route 114 and was removed by residents. Also, due to draining problems the road in some places is less than one lane. Residents have had to supply material at the end of driveways to be able to enter the road. Steve Hall, present at the meeting, agreed that there is a problem and will investigate. He noted that the ledge under and along the edge of the road makes repairs difficult.
Public Input:
George Cilley:
George expressed concern and frustration about ongoing signage at the intersection of Main Street and Route 103. The Board said the Economic Development Committee is working on an ordinance/regulation.
Regular and Old Business:
Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest for review and signature. Completed.
Town Hall Update:
Karen reported that the painters have continued to work on applying second coats and touching up scratches. The tin ceiling on the first floor has also been painted. The final mechanical work has been completed and minimal heat is on in the building. The counter in the office kitchenette has been installed and the sink’s plumbing has been connected. Wiring for the eventual fit-up of the audio and visual facilities in the second-floor auditorium has been completed. Today, Eversource appeared and began working on permanent power. This kicks our final phase of construction into gear. Once permanent power is in place, tests for the sprinkler system, mechanical system, elevators and alarm system can be conducted. The telephone lines and data infrastructure can also be connected. The installation of blown-in insulation in the attic will be done after all systems testing is successfully complete.
Budget Update:
2024 Budget requests are coming in from departments. Karen will generate the budget worksheet to be available to the Budget Committee on Thursday, October 26.
New Business:
Devin Pendleton appeared to discuss the Community Involvement Fair to be held on Thursday, November 9th 6-8 pm at the BACC. Invitations to present board members have been sent. Devin and the Board also discussed expanding the July 4th celebration in 2024.
Adjourn:
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to adjourn the meeting
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Meeting adjourned at 8:04 pm
Upcoming meeting: November 13, 2023
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Bigford