Select Board Meeting was called to order at 7:01pm
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to move to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (c) at 7:01pm
Second: Michael James
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to return to public session at 7:22pm
Second: Jason Allen
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Select Board Meeting recessed and was reconvened at 7:30pm.
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call – Jason Allen (Chair), Marlene Freyler, Michael James (via ZOOM) and Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, were in attendance.
Appearances:
- Michael and Zoe French, of 112 East Shore Drive appeared to request the Town plow the road past their property which they are converting to a year-round residence. This would extend the scope of the plowing currently done by approximately 400 feet. The Board will review the details with the Road Agent and follow up with the Frenches. Marlene cautioned that there are 6 other roads that have the same Class V Seasonal designation where the roads are not fully maintained year-round.
- Kathryn Paquette, 355 Forest Street, appeared with a similar request to the Frenches, requesting help with winter maintenance on Forest Street. The Board expressed that they would research the concerns and provide a follow up at the next meeting, December 28, 2020.
- Michael Gagne, 147 Breezy Hill Road, appeared to discuss the increase in his property assessment. The Board discussed the assessment process, the appeal process as well as the options to receive tax credits.
- Lois Kilnapp, Transfer Station Manager, appeared. The Board discussed the cost of disposing demolition materials and the fees that are gathered as well as other disposal fees and costs. The Board asked Lois to figure out what the fees would need to be to cover the cost of disposal for demolition waste. Lois also noted that the Transfer Station will have all remaining paper/cardboard bales disposed of on December 16th.
- Fire Chief Jeff LeBlanc provided a Fire Department update. Eighteen 911 calls were received in the month of November. The Mutual Aid engagement is working well with adjoining communities. 109 hours of training were conducted. Bids for building repairs are still being gathered; a painting quote was received, this was forecasted in the budget at a cost of $10,000 although the bid received was $24,000. The exterior work planned was estimated at $5,000. Electrical and plumbing quotes are pending. All vehicles and their apparatus are operating well. The Department has been working on Standard Operating Guidelines as well as policy updates. The Department has developed a Mission Statement as well as a Core Values Statement. Chief LeBlanc also commended the work the Department did in delivering Thanksgiving meals in the Community. The Board discussed engagement of the Fire Department in Life Safety Inspections. There has not been a large engagement but the Fire Department would welcome the opportunity to participate.
Regular and Old Business:
- Minutes from November 30th, 2020 meetings were reviewed.
Motion: Michael James motioned to accept the minutes of November 30th, 2020.
Second: Jason Allen
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- The Account Payables and the Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- Town Hall update: A letter was sent to the adjacent property owner regarding tree trimming, no response has been received yet.
- Review of Budget Sheets and Warrant Articles were not discussed although a demolition quote was received for the Masonic Hall which was discussed. A Warrant Item should include some additional amount for any hazardous waste disposal as this is not included on the quote.
- The Board discussed a junkyard photograph that the newspaper has asked for permission to use. The Board had no concerns with the paper using the photo.
New Business:
- The Board discussed Building Codes and Building Ordinance’s. Jason has been doing some research on Building Codes and Ordinance. He feels the ordinance is very outdated and needs to be updated. The Board will have more conversation once additional research is completed.
- Jason sent out a communication to all Department Heads regarding employee evaluations. Reviews are due by January 11th with a plan to hold review meetings on January 18th and 25th. Karen raised a concern about timing with the any additional general budget meetings. Jason and Michael felt that they would like to hear the Budget Committees view of the Budget. Marlene felt the Select Board should meet with Department Heads prior to making any reductions. Jason and Michael would like to hear what the Budget Committee comes back to prior to making any additional comments. The Board briefly discussed establishing a meeting schedule for reviews, meeting on the 19th as well as meeting earlier in the day. Karen will draft a schedule.
- The Board accepted $350 in donations for new Town signs.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to accept $350 in donations for the Town Sign replacement project.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Vote: 3-0 in favor
- The Board signed a discontinuance of Center Road, this had been previously signed but required wording changes to comply with Merrimack County Registry of Deeds requirements.
- The Board signed a Tax Refund Request for overpayment of taxes.
- The Board signed Timber Warrants for Map 3/Lot 45, Map 13/Lot 19 & 22, Map 11/Lot 56 and Map 5/Lot 104 & 105.
- Karen asked the Board about items previously discussed as potential Warrant Items. The first was to recommend a Warrant regarding Pierce Road; second was migration to an SB2 Town Meeting format. Jason would like to see both items added as Warrant Articles.
- The Board will discuss virtual meetings and drive through voting possibilities at the next meeting for the 2021 Annual Town Meeting.
- Jason read into record a letter from Harry Wright regarding the SB2 meeting format.
- Karen shared with the Select Board that lighting at the Community Center needs maintenance as well as a thermostat may need to be moved. Money remains in the BACC Building Repair Funds and Karen wanted to make the Select Board aware of the pending work that needs to be completed.
- Marlene would like to have a letter of appreciation and a gift card sent to Noah Boisvert for work he has done hanging swags in Town as well as helping with hanging flags in Town. The other Board members were in agreement. Marlene will draft the letter.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn at 8:53pm.
Second: Jason Allen
Vote: 3-0 in favor
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Monday, December 28th, 2020 at 7:00pm, at the Bradford Area Community Center.
Minutes submitted by Laurie Colburn, Recording Secretary