Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
November 17, 2014
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call – John Pfeifle, Chairman; Harry Wright, Selectman; Sonny Harris, Selectman
Appearances:
No Appearances for the work session of the meeting.
Regular Business:
- Budget requests were listed and will be reviewed by the Board next week. A brief overview of the requests identified which departments have requested increases. The Selectmen’s Office has received 24 budgets to date
- Employee Benefits – salary step increases and the consumer price index (1.7%) will be considered for discussion next week. Selectmen voted unanimously to continue to purchase employee benefits through Healthtrust
- Failed septic system – Rte 114. John Pfeilfe will investigate the repair cost
- Intent to cut for map 3 lot 76 – Sneck signed by Selectmen
- NH Solar Garden materials will be reviewed by the Selectmen. The project will require the Town to enter into a 20 year lease. Per attorney, the town meeting will need to vote to allow this lease.
- Abatement letter for Murphy signed by Selectmen. Adjustment was not recorded last year.
- Hauling contract– Selectmen reviewed the draft of the contract referring to the amendments made by town counsel. A copy of the draft was given to Marcia Keller. Cheryl will contact George Naughton and set up a meeting to discuss and sign the contract.
- Meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm to reopen at 6:30pm to discuss issues under consideration for the location of town offices and the selectmen’s commitment to the restoration of the Town Hall.
- Meeting resumed at 6:30pm. John Pfeifle informed the attendees that the Selectmen were concerned about the safety of the town employees and town records as well as the need to remove the offices from the Bradford Area Community Center. Pfeifle strongly emphasized the fact that the entire Board of Selectmen was committed to the renovation of the town hall. The Board was split on investigating alternatives to the current plan but recognize their responsibility to the taxpayer to investigate reducing the cost by exploring alternatives. Representatives of the Rural Heritage, Town Hall Restoration Committee, Budget Committee, Planning Board and general public asked questions and voiced their objections to changing the focus of the plan that has been pursued for several years at the cost of many thousands of taxpayer money. Concern was expressed that removing the town offices from the town hall would defeat the renovation efforts. Other questions and comments were expressed regarding fund raising and grant applications. Letters from Ann Eldridge and Michele Halsted were read (hard copies available at the Selectmen’s office)******amendment to minutes ****Eileen Kelly also read a letter from the Town Hall Restoration Committee (hard copy available at the Selectmen’s office*******. The Selectmen thanked the attendees for their comments. Pfeifle personally believes a proposal can be presented to accomplish both the renovation and the move of the offices and police station for half the money of the currently proposed town hall renovation. Sonny Harris explained his concerns for the safety of town records, employees and current deed violations. Harry Wright was not in favor of pursuing the alternatives presented and feels that the Town Hall should be repaired to allow the town offices to be returned to that location and other improvements (second floor) be done over time. John Pfeilfe reported on conversations with the owners of the Bruss Construction building on East Main Street and presented possible scenarios of moving the town offices and police station to this site. No decisions have been made and the Board will also consider the current location of the police department for purchase. Mr. Pfeilfe repeated that all alternatives were under investigation and no decisions had been made.
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest
- Review minutes of last meeting – Correction to the Minutes of Nov 10th. “The code enforcer interprets the zoning regulations as voted by the town at town meeting” The Board of Selectmen accepted the minutes as presented with the correction noted.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45pm