Meeting called to order at 6:39 pm
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91:A:3II (c) at 6:39 pm
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to return to public session at 7:00 pm
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0 in favor
The Board recessed until 7:03 pm when the meeting resumed.
Pledge of Allegiance
Appearances:
- Kathleen Bigford, representing the Alternative Energy Committee, provided an update on the Committee activity. An energy assessment audit will be conducted at the Library, Bradford Area Community Center, Fire Station and the Highway Department building in December. The assessment should be available in early 2021. The Committee’s last meeting was held in February where the Committee discussed exploring solar energy but the meetings then went on hold due to the pandemic. There are 2 members that would like to continue exploring alternative energy opportunities at this point, Kathleen and Sue Moss. The Committee has interacted with adjoining Towns as well as other energy focused organizations that have provided good information. The Board was supportive with continuing the Committee.
- Veronica Mackellow from Cheney Hill Road presented a complaint regarding a culvert that is funneling water towards a wetland area on her property. The Board will visit the site and review the situation.
- Steve Hall, Road Agent, provided a Highway Department update. Road maintenance signs were available for viewing. Steve also reviewed paving work that had been done. He noted there was some shim over work done but there were some adhesion issues – some of which United Construction has already addressed and others which will need to be addressed in the spring.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to take $30,300 out of the Road & Bridges Fund to pay for paving done on three bridges and multiple culvert locations.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to fund the Cochran Hill culvert rebuild project from the Road & Bridges Fund.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
Work on Cochran Hill will be completed in the spring.
Michael raised a concern regarding asphalt hot patching versus cold patching work. Steve reviewed the various methods along with the associated costs. Much of the work being done around Town is temporary patch work but if it isn’t done the road infrastructure will continue to deteriorate. The Board will have another meeting to discuss the various strategies and what the cost would be to pursue different options. $6,300 was spent on road shimming.
Steve reviewed a submission to the Department of Environmental Services for a DERA Grant to replace older diesel equipment, which Harry Wright prepared. Approximately $82,000 was submitted for a grader replacement.
Steve provided quotes to address failing guardrails on the Jewett Road bridge, for a total of $2,900 which will be funded through the Highway Operating Budget. He also presented quotes for Center Road, where 1,200 feet of guardrail needs to be replaced. The quotes ranged from $24,600 to $35,400. An anchor may also need to be installed and would cost an additional $800. Work can begin next week upon approval. A section of Gulf Hill, on East Washington Road, was also identified that should have 200 feet of guardrail installed which could be done at the same time for an additional $2,900 which would include reusing material available from the Town. The Board discussed the situation on East Washington Road. Michael questioned whether the location required guardrails and whether the work would be done to specifications. Steve confirmed the location should have guardrails and would be done to specifications. The Board supported the guardrail work.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to use Vermont Recreational Surfacing and Fencing Inc, recommended by Steve, to do the guardrails on Center Road, including the anchor as well as the guardrails on East Washington Road to be funded by the Roads & Bridges Fund.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- Fire Chief, Jeff LeBlanc provided a Fire Department update. The department is averaging 30 or so calls a month with EMS calls increasing (approximately 60-70% of calls), and had one building fire in October. He pointed out some positive trends with engagement in training and fire prevention events. The department had (28), 911 calls and had 48 total encounters showing increased engagement of the community with the department. The department is awaiting some exterior building repair quotes and interior painting quotes. Engine 3, the primary engine, was repaired due to significant water leaks and is now back in service. The Forestry One vehicle repairs were completed at approximately $1,000 under budget. Currently the vehicle is just pending inspection. The Chief noted several other equipment repairs completed on vehicles and all vehicles, except Forestry One, have passed inspections. Chief LeBlanc reported a successful Halloween engagement with the community. The Chief also spoke about training and certification received by members this month. A new fire member joined the department this month and others have expressed interest in joining the department.
Regular Business:
- Minutes from November 2nd, 2020 meetings were reviewed.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to accept the minutes of November 2nd, 2020.
Second: Jason Allen
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- The Account Payables and the Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- Town Hall update: Record storage plans are still a work in progress. A call was placed to the adjoining property owner looking for approval to cut limbs, to accommodate the permanent power route. No response has been received and Jason asked that Karen follow up with a letter. The failed circulator pumps have been repaired and will be charged against the general repair and maintenance line within the General budget.
- The Board reviewed the preliminary general budget and proposed Warrant Articles. For the General Budget, two areas of increase were discussed. The Planning Board is proposing an increased budget to support planning resources, estimated to be an increase of $10,000 to $20,000. The Board is also proposing a fourth full-time Police Officer for 2021. This is to support the transition to a full-time Police Chief in 2022 and help reduce part-time wages, over time wages and comp time wages. The Board reviewed the remaining general budget items and has been invited to the Budget Committee meetings to review the budget requests with department heads. $4,000 has been added to the budget for an attendant at French’s Park. Fire Department costs are expected to increase due to per-diem trends which have been trending at $3,000 month versus the $2,000 a month planned. Several other increases were noted.
The Board discuss individual Warrant Items. A Warrant Article item to replace the water system at Sunny Plain cemetery is estimated at $15,000. There is a CIP recommendation to payoff the loader lease in 2021 at a cost of just over $98,000. This will eliminate future interest payments on the loader at 5.25%. The Board outlined placing $109,000 to the Road & Bridges Fund, reducing a proposed chipper replacement from a CIP recommendation of $48,000 to $25,000 and adding the $23,000 difference in the Highway Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve. A discussion was held concerning the Masonic Hall and the Board determined they would propose a $25,000 article to demo the building. The Board will also see if there is any interest by anyone to take the building down for materials.
The Board also discussed the structure of the 2021 Town Meeting considering the pandemic.
Karen will explore what other towns did in 2020 as well as what the State will allow.
- A concern regarding 18 Massasecum Avenue was discussed. Michael James has acquired the property and is in the process of cleaning it up. The inside and the basement have been prioritized and a dumpster for exterior clean-up is being placed on Wednesday.
- Karen reviewed a grant application for under $600 submitted by Lois Kilnapp regarding used oil. Karen asked the Board to designate her as the signatory as the application needs some edits. Michael asked that an agenda item be added to the next agenda to discuss creating an ordinance allowing fines to be implemented by the Transfer Station.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to designate Karen as an authorized signer for the oil grant
Second: Marlene Freyler
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to receive up to $600 in funding from said grant.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Vote: 3-0 in favor
- The Board accepted $475 in donations for new Town signs.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to accept $475 in donations for the Town Sign replacement project.
Second: Michael James
Vote: 3-0 in favor
- A Veteran’s Tax Credit was signed.
- The Board will sign the annual MS-1, Summary of Inventory Value, for the NH Department of Revenue, once it has been finalized. They will also plan to meet as soon as possible to set the tax rate.
- Michael asked about the status of the fund balance and whether there is opportunity to begin saving funds to lessen borrowing on Tax Anticipation Notes. A portion of Fund Balance has been routinely used to reduce the tax rate.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to move to adjourn to non-public session RSA 91-A:3II (c) at 9:07pm
Second: Marlene Freyler
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to return to public session at 9:50 pm
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Michael James motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:51 pm
Second: Jason Allen
Decision: 3-0 in favor
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Monday November 30th, 2020 at 7:00pm, at the Bradford Community Center.
Minutes submitted by Laurie Colburn, Recording Secretary