Meeting called to order at 7:00pm
Roll Call- Michael James, John Pfeifle, Jason Allen, Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator were in attendance.
Pledge of Allegiance
Appearances:
- Chief Dion, of the Bradford Fire Department, appeared before the Board to provide an update on the Fire Department. The department has been busy with inspections and morale seems improving. A new member has started and the department is working with Concord Hospital to bring non-transport, paramedical care to Bradford, which provides paramedic care while awaiting transport paramedic resources. John asked Chief Dion about his thoughts regarding the future use of the former Masonic Hall building. The Chief did not have any specific comments but did express that parking is sometimes an issue at the station and felt an expansion of the Fire Station would likely be needed in 10 to 15 years.
Regular Business:
- Minutes from the November 18th, 2019 meeting were reviewed.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to approve the minutes.
Second: John Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- The Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- The Board discussed a quote for engineering services from Horizons Engineering to address the water runoff situation on Cochran Hill. The Board felt they needed more clarity around the deliverables of the proposal. Karen will contact Horizons Engineering to request they attend a future meeting to provide the Board additional details.
- The Board reviewed a Committee Charter outlining the purpose, structure and scope of activity for a proposed Policy Advisory Committee.
Motion: John Pfeifle motioned to approve the Policy Advisory Committee Charter.
Second: Jason Allen
Decision: 3-0 in favor
The Board will discuss Committee members at their next meeting and will also post a notice in the next issue of The Bridge seeking volunteers.
- Lois Kilnapp, Manager of the Transfer Station, requested the Board approve the use of $400 from the Revolving Recycling Account for security equipment.
Second: John Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Lois also requested a payout of one week of unused vacation time. Michael expressed concern that many of the Departments are requesting vacation time payouts, which were being approved if the money was available within the Departments budget, rather than utilizing their vacation time. The Personnel Policy allows for the payout of one week of vacation time. Michael would like to have the Policy Advisory Committee look at the policy in 2020.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to approve the one week of vacation payout for the Transfer Station.
Second: John Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- Karen provided an update on the roofing work at the Town Hall. Although the roofers are ready to begin, the Town needs to have an asbestos inspection done on the shingles prior to demolition. Maureen and Karen have been working to identify resources to do the inspection.
Motion: Michael James motioned to have the roofers deal with the inspection activity.
Second: Jason Allen
Decision: 3-0 in favor
East Coast Fencing is expected to remove the fence shortly.
- The Board reviewed the remaining 2019 General Budget against expenses. 12.7% of the budget remained which the Board felt should cover the remaining 2019 expenses.
- The Board then discussed the 2020 General Budget request.
Motion: Michael James motioned to reduce the Elected Officials line to $300 a year. (Selectmen’s stiped).
Re-Motion: Jason Allen motioned to keep it at $1,500 a year for each Select Board member for a total of $4,500 annually, which he then amended to $3,000 annually.
John Pfeifle expressed concern that the lower stipend amount may discourage future members from running for the Board because it is a large time commitment
Second: Michael James
Decision: 2-1 in favor. John Pfeifle was not in favor of the motion.
The Board discussed utilizing unanticipated revenue from House Bill 4 to accomplished some deferred maintenance items such as installing lights and hooking up a previously purchase generator at the Highway garage. Jason advocated adding funding to the budget for someone to conduct building inspections, identify the scope of work needed to manage a repair, gather and vet work quotes, etc. for Town owned property. A scope of work and review of practices in other towns will be conducted. The Board will add $5,000 to the budget to cover this request. Jason will send the other Selectmen his thoughts on the General Budget and Warrant Articles and the Board will attend the Budget Committee meeting on Thursday, December 5th, 2019, to begin Department Head budget reviews.
- The Board reviewed a sample Evaluation form that Karen provided. The Selectmen will review the template independently and discuss their thoughts at the next meeting.
- Michael requested that Karen speak with the Senior Center and request they do not park the bus in front of the trail access behind the Community Center. He also requested that the Highway Department try to plow in a manner that does not leave a snowbank in front of the trail access point.
- The Board signed an abatement for Map 11/Lot 10 as recommended by the Assessor.
- The Selectmen signed a letter to Town Employees regarding health insurance rates for 2020.
- The Board discussed a Zoning Violation complaint for Map 9/Lot 15. Karen will review the complaint with the Code Enforcement Officer and send a letter from the Town to the property owner.
- John Pfeifle will follow up with Naughton and Sons on the disposal contract for the Transfer Station.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to adjourn to Non-Public Session at 8:51pm
Second: John Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: John Pfeifle motioned to adjourn to public session at 9:14pm.
Second: Jason Allen
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Michael James motioned that the minutes of the non-public session be sealed as the reputation of a person other than a member of the board would be adversely affected.
Second: John Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:14 pm.
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Monday, December 16, 2019 at 7:00pm, at the Bradford Community Center
Minutes submitted by Laurie Colburn, Recording Secretary