Selectmen’s Minutes December 16, 2013
Pledge of Allegiance
Meeting opened at 5:30pm
In attendance: Harry Wright, Chairman; Sonny Harris, Selectman; John Pfeifle, Selectman. Cheryl Behr, administrator and Marilyn Gordon Treasurer also in attendance.
Appearances:
1. Mark Goldberg, Fire Chief, presented selectmen with wording for three warrant articles. The Ambulance Warrant article ($10,000) briefly reviewed ongoing talks with Henniker on possible consolidation of services. Talks are scheduled for the beginning of January and are in the very preliminary stage at this time. The second and third articles referred to the purchase of a tanker for the department. Wording for the article to release funds from the Capital Reserve Fire Department Heavy Equipment account was discussed and is still under consideration. The lease purchase agreement was also discussed.
Regular Business
1. Selectman Pfeifle proposed a thank you to the Highway Department for the fine job clearing the roads during the recent snow storm. Selectmen unanimously agreed.
2. Selectman Pfeifle also wished to thank Mr. and Mrs. James for removing the building on the corner of the Old Warner Road and Rte 114. The building was purchased by them this fall and had been vacant for many years, gradually declining into serious disrepair. The removal of the building not only eliminates a serious safety issue but improves the appearance of the intersection. Selectmen unanimously agreed.
3. Selectmen signed a contract for lien research for the Town Clerk/Tax Collector
4. Selectmen discussed wage increases and the wage range being developed by the Board. Not all departments submitted budgets in line with the plan established. Harry Wright requested Cheryl Behr contact all the department heads and give them the opportunity to reevaluate their wage estimates. The Board delayed voting on the budgets until next week.
5. The Board was presented with Warrant Article requests from the Historic Society (repairs to roadside at the Old Bradford Center Church historic property) and the Planning Board (requesting money for professional assistance to prepare a CIP to assist in planning and budgeting). No vote taken.
6. John Pfeifle requested a complete list of proposed warrant articles received to date for discussion at the next meeting.
7. Computer issues were discussed. Moving the town records to a dedicated server vs. the current configuration of combining the server function with a workstation has been recommended. Recent increases in computer problems are behind this discussion. Costs and options will be presented to the Board next week.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:30pm