Planning Board Minutes 02.23.10

February 25, 2010

Town of Bradford
Planning Board
Work Session
February 23, 2010
7:00PM

Call To Order and Roll Call:

Phil LaMoreaux, Chair called the meeting to order at 7:15pm with Barry Wheeler, Jack Meaney, Selectmen Representative, Jim Bibbo, Alternate and Marge Cilley Secretary present. Absent were: Marcia Keller, Sonny Harris, and Barbara Vannata.

Phil LaMoreaux, Chair seated Jim Bibbo for Marcia Keller.

Review and Consideration of January 26, 2010 minutes:

Motion was made by Barry Wheeler to approve as presented. Seconded by Jim Bibbo. Motion carried 4-0.

To Do Folder:

Communication has been received from Laura Spectra, Town Attorney regarding following up on Carolyn Demers sign size. Ms. Demers has agreed to have the sign measured by the Building Inspector.

An “As Built” has been received from Skip McKean from the approved Site Plan Modification approved last summer as he advised he would do. This will be filed with his Approved Site Plan.

Dan Kraft escrow funds to be returned to him will go out tomorrow, February 24, 2010.

Jack Meaney, Selectmen’s Representative questioned Bussier & Brunnel extension, and when it is up again? It was stated the extension is due to be up in June, at the 8th Regular Planning Board meeting. This will be reviewed right after Town Meeting.

Motion to adjourn, seconded and carried at 7:30pm Carried 4-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary

Select Board Agenda 03.02.10

February 25, 2010

Agenda
March 2nd 2010
Selectmen’s Meeting

Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call

Appearances:
1. None

Regular Business
1. Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest for review and signature
2. Intent to cut for Goldberg and Starr Properties Map 6 Lot 103
3. Intent to cut for Brooks Mc Candlish Map 4 Lot 15
4. Testing Contract for Naughton Property for signature
5. KAP lease for signature
6. Final materials for town meeting for review

Library Activities 03.10

February 20, 2010

Wednesday, March 3
Trustee Meeting, 6pm

Friday, March 5
Book-to-Movie Discussion
Letters of a Woman Homesteader  by Elinor Pruitt Stewart, 7pm

Wednesday, March 17
Library Book Group
Elephanta Suite  by Paul Theroux 7pm

Friday, March 19
International Movie
12 (Russia), 7pm

Saturday, March 20
Book Sale, 9-2

Story Time every Wednesday at 10:30

Select Board Minutes 02.16.10

February 19, 2010

Town of Bradford
Selectmen’s Meeting
February 16, 2010
5:00pm

Present: Charles Meany, Chair, Cheryl Behr, Administrator, Marge Cilley, Secretary and Mike Croteau, SEA

The purpose of this meeting is to open the bids on the West Road Bridge Project, with no other business being scheduled.

Mike Croteau, SEA thanked everyone for coming for the Bid opening for Bridge Replacement Safety work on West Road Bridge over Hoyt Brook. The opening of the bids was done in the order in which the bids were received as follows.

1. Morrill Construction, Inc.                              373,555.50
2. T. Buck Construction                                    533,164.00
3. Neil H. Daniels, Inc.                         399,734.00
4. Cold River Bridges                           496,229.00
5. B U R Construction LLC                              396,749.50
6. Hansen Construction                         391,803.00
7. R M Piper                                                    422,669.00
8. N E Earth Mechanics                                    429,418.00

Mike Croteau, SEA advised the low bidder as Morrill Construction, Inc, North Haverhill, NH at Three Hundred Seventy three Thousand Five Hundred Fifty Five Dollars and fifty cents ($373,555.50).

Question was asked as to when this will be started and the reply was late spring, late May or early June as the Wetland Permit wants the brook to be low flow. Construction duration is about five months.

Respectfully submitted

Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary

Select Board Minutes 02.15.10

February 19, 2010

TOWN OF BRADFORD
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
FEBRUARY 15, 2010
5:00PM

The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Roll Call and Call to Order:

Charles Meany, Chair opened the meeting at 5:28pm with Peter Fenton, Jack Meaney

Cheryl Behr, Administrator and Marge Cilley, Secretary present.

Minutes of January 5, 2010:

The minutes of January 5 should contain the following edit on Page 6, just above the last paragraph: Dan Peret commented: ” George Cilley approached me on Main Street on Sunday morning prior to services to open up the parking lot and I did and it was sanded. There is a lot of bickering going on in town. Talking about Dave, talking about myself. What happened in this Highway Dept. they’re at each others throat, there’s a lot of tension here. We’re out the other day and fired up the chain saws and their minds are not on the job, very dangerous. I brought this up to the Selectmen before and to come down and talk to individuals in the minutes of (inaudible) and the problem is still there and what they did was fire a couple of guys, problem solved I guess.” Someone from the floor asked is it? Dan replied “it must be, my tensions gone, I’m done in 4 weeks. I ‘m going to retire. I’d like to retire peacefully, not fighting with everyone.”

Kearsarge Regional School District:

Russ Aney, Grant writer for Kearsarge School District, Andrew Pinard and Dan Wolfe, School Board Members of the Kearsarge Regional School District came before the Selectmen regarding school application for energy grant funds.

Andrew Pinard explained that they are applying for a Grant that in part will help fund an Energy Efficiency project that has been entered into in the past, and are in hopes to enter into again with Honeywell.

Mr. Aney advised this encompasses all seven towns within the Kearsarge Regional School District.

The Grants are being distributed directly to the towns, not the school District, as the district cannot actually apply for the Grant. This is funding that comes from the Federal Government to support Energy Efficiency measures, it could only go to a Municipal Entity. This means that one of the seven towns could be the lead town and the others would partner to go after this money to offset the cost of the project, that has been developed over the past couple of years through the collaboration of the School District and Honeywell. Honeywell has been engaged with the Kearsarge Regional School District for about fifteen years now, providing various energy services, and energy efficiency upgrades. This is a project that is designed to take us forward for at least the next fifteen years, and is represented under Warrant Article number one, and passage of this warrant article is contingent upon our winning this Grant. The supporting of this Grant does not necessarily imply that we are for Article No. One. What we are asking is if the Town of Bradford would be willing to demonstrate its’ support for the Grant application so that we have the opportunity to take advantage of these one time Federal Funds that are available. Bradford’s total energy budget, its contribution to the Kearsarge Regional School District energy budget, it is probably the largest energy line item you probably have. This is a significant but time limited offer from the Federal Government to help offset those costs. Mr. Aney suggested there might be concern that the town is also applying for an energy Grant for itself and this might be thought to be competitive, and might reduce the probability of winning its own individual proposal.

Peter Fenton questioned that at a joint Selectmen’s meeting in Warner last month it was stated that there were only going to be two towns on the application, why has that changed? Mr. Aney advised he did not know, not being at that meeting. Andrew Pinard advised the application was being proposed with the communities with the largest infrastructure associated with the School District, being New London and Sutton [AJP: As clarified at the meeting, the actual sponsor applicants were to be New London & Springfield, the latter of which was not applying for one of these grants and would therefore not be competing for the funding.] Andrew also advised there is a maximum amount that towns can receive in terms of grant funds, that being four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000). When towns partner together on a project, the overall project limit is one million dollars ($100,000,000.) At a school board meeting last Thursday, they reduced the actual amount to raise the probability of success because of the way they are scoring the grants. Only one town actually has to apply now, yet one of the scoring criteria of the grant is whether there is long term commitment and support from the community.

Russ Aney advised there are two other towns who are requesting Grants on their own, Warner and New London. In response to a question from Charles Meany, Chair, will Bradford’s Grant application have a bearing on the Kearsarge Regional School District application? Mr. Aney advised since it is an Energy Efficiency Grant being applied for in Bradford, it would be in competition. Mr. Aney said the question comes down to, is there a way we can demonstrate support for it as it will help the community, including Bradford significantly to get this Grant, and to have Bradford demonstrate that support in some form or fashion will strengthen the proposal. Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised it would have been great if this information had been distributed earlier before she had done so much work on Bradford’s Grant. Mr.Aney advised that this has been worked on for quite some time now, and all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, just last week.

Charles Meany, Chair questioned if the actual savings from the energy improvements will be returned to the individual towns in the form of tax relief on school budgets, or will that money be absorbed into the school budget and spent in the next year with no relief to the individual towns? Andrew Pinard advised that part of it will be seen in an immediate return in the fact that some of the infrastructure projects that are going to be tackled by this energy efficiency program that Honeywell does will mean that the school district will not be coming before the town looking for money for those projects.

Dan Wolfe, Chair School Board advised this would reflect in the budget each year. Each line is reflected we’re spending less on energy. If we do save money in electricity or energy, it will reduce any increase.

Mr. Aney advised that with a partnership application such as this, OEP says that it will allocate the Grant Funds to each of the towns on a per capita basis. But, the applicant can also submit its own application. There are several options that can be used.

One way or another, it would be very nice to have some indication of support so we do not have a divided community.

Schedule C will be provided to the town for signatures, which does require notarized signatures. There will be one application from New London and 6 partnership agreements from the other towns that make up the district and one proposal for Kearsarge Regional School District.

Peter Fenton questioned, we built a brand new middle school, because of the condition of the building in New London. Now, we are going to be putting money into that building through this Grant. Dan Wolfe advised they were talking about putting the SAU office there and they were given permission two years ago. Also a learning Center, Culinary Arts and Special Education are being considered to be there, as well as a portion of the Outing Club. Peter Fenton questioned that we would be maintaining that building to hold classes again to which Mr. Wolfe replied, yes. Peter Fenton question if Shelly Hartfield will be overseeing the Grant to which Mr. Wolfe replied yes, because of the special Federal recording of the Grant. It is not a lot of time, a few hours each month, but it does require someone who knows exactly what all the reports are, and the reports are done right. She is a check on the process. Honeywell also provides certified payroll on a weekly basis. We are trying to go a little above and beyond to make sure we are getting every single one of the points regarding getting this done cost effectively. Peter Fenton questioned if this Grant is for the High School, to which Mr. Wolfe allowed it is for six schools. One location only has to be noted on the Grant, as that is where the bulk of the money will be spent. Peter Fenton also questioned if there was a priority for the spending of the money, which there was no answer at this time. However, there is an 18 month timeline.

George Cilley questioned what the estimated payback on this money might be? Dan Wolfe advised the payback would depend upon the energy consumption, but they initially estimated the energy savings at about one hundred thirteen dollars ($113,000) each year.

State Aid is also being hoped for per Dan Wolfe.

Motion was made by Peter Fenton to follow the letter received from the School District for the Partnership Agreement. Seconded by Charles Meany, Chair. Motion carried 3-0.

Bradford’s portion of the School Budget is 10%.

Motion was made by Charles Meany, Chair to go with the 10% Partnership Agreement. Seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.

Mr. Aney advised he wanted everyone to realize that if Warner goes with 0% Partnership, then the pie will have to be re calculated and Bradford will be bumped up a few percentage points.

This agreement was signed tonight by all Selectmen and Notarized by Trudy Willett.

Non Public Meeting:

Charles Meany, Chair advised the Selectmen will be going into Non-Public session per RSA 91:A-3II at 6:10pm.

Motion was made by Charles Meany, Chair to seal the minutes.

Reconvened to regular session at 6:32 pm.

Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifests were reviewed and signed.

Signed Current Use Application

Final order of Warrant Articles were discussed. Chris Frey had suggested changing the order of the Warrant Articles. Cheryl Behr, Administrator had re-arranged the Articles on a blue sheet that was presented and discussion ensued.

Motion was made by Charles Meany, Chair that the Articles remain in the current sequence as listed. Seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.

Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised Mr. Wright was present last week and recommended rewording the statement about the cost per Warrant Article. Cheryl thought this was a good idea but could not find her note and has been trying to reach Mr. Wright for the past week. So have tried with “This represents approximately (.00) of the tax rate.”

Cheryl also explained that petitions are on the Warrant as they were received.

The Selectmen signed the Warrant Articles as complete at this time.

Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised tomorrow night’s meeting (Feb. 16, 2010) will be short as it is for opening bids only for the West Road Bridge project.

Jon Marden is checking out the audio/visual equipment.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:00pm

Respectfully submitted,

Marjorie R. Cilley

Select Board Agenda 02.16.10

February 15, 2010

Selectmen’s Agenda
February 16, 2010

Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call

This meeting is to open bids on the West Road Bridge Project. No other business is scheduled.

Select Board Agenda 02.15.10

February 14, 2010

Selectmen’s Agenda
February 15, 2010

Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call

Appearances:
1. Russ Aney and Andrew Pinard regarding school application for energy grant funds

Regular Business:
1. Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifests for review
2. Intent to cut for signature
3. Application for current use for signature
4. Final order of Warrant Articles for signature and review of MS-7
5. Confirm most recent Personnel Manual and sign for distribution. Sign Personnel action forms.
6. Non-public session per RSA 91:A-3II personnel matters

Conservation Commission Minutes 01.19.10

February 8, 2010

Bradford Conservation Commission
Meeting Notes

Date: January 19, 2010
Time: 7pm
Location: Brown Memorial Library

Present:  Meg Fearnley, Brooks McCandlish, J.A. Eldridge, Nathanial Bruss

Secretary’s minutes from December15 meeting read and accepted.

Treasurer’s report: [see budget sheet] Surprised to find a balance of $120.07. Apparently this was $ set aside for lumber for the repairs to the Bog boardwalk. Supplies were then donated by Perry Teele. Meg attempted to attend the budget committee meeting, waited several hours in corridor.

January 26, BCC to meet with Planning Board, review of draft NRI (Natural Resource Inventory) maps. Discussion on how to present. Concentrate on purpose of NRI/Conservation Plan and draft maps.

Article to Bridge explaining what a conservation easement is. Will prepare a follow up article on current easements in town. [due now] Also will draft a brief article on status of LCHIP grant. An explanation of SB 381 will be written for the March issue.

Discussion of LCHIP grant application. Nathanial to notify Miranda and BCC of meeting with LCHIP on summer grant round. He will also contact ASLPT about the federal Farm and Ranchland Protection Program grants. The Ericksons may attend next month’s meeting with realtor Tom Howard. Nathanial to check with town office on status of SB381 warrant article.

Discussion of Rural Heritage suggestion of petition warrant article. Difficulties cited.

Natural Resource Inventory: Northern Geomantics to be contacted about possibility of supplying a recent aerial view of town with lot lines and conserved lands to add to the NRI. Granit system maps may be more uniform quality than Google Earth…

Ann and Carol to review examples of NRI to begin to condense what might be included or excluded in Bradford’s NRI.

A strategy for conserving some of the remaining large blocks of land through interested landowners to retain a vibrant forestry/agricultural/recreational industry in town. Plan to  prioritize conservation areas in town based on information gathered to date on unfragmented landscape, rare species, water resources, etc. Potential properties will be identified and landowners consulted along with Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust. Suggestions for a mailing were made. Initial list was created in subcommittee, more data needed, also to be done in subcommittee, meeting date to be set.

Meeting adjourned 8:45   JA Eldridge

Library Trustee Minutes 02.03.10

February 8, 2010

Brown Memorial Library
Minutes from February 3, 2010 Trustee Meeting

Attendance included: Joan Perry, Meg Fearnley, Bea Howe, Rod Jones, Brooks McCandlish, Patty Furness, Erica Gross and Lorraine MacLeod
1.    The minutes from the last meeting were read and accepted with the change to #5. The Library budget cut was supposed to read $565.00 instead of $560.00.
2.    The Treasurer’s report was read and accepted. A motion was made to accept all donations made to Brown Memorial Library for the month of January, in the amount of $66.50.
3.    The Librarian’s report was not available so next month we will review two reports.
4.    The water heater has been fixed. As far as the freezing pipes in the bathroom, it was looked at but there is still no resolution on how to proceed in fixing the situation.
5.    On Jan 12th, Meg,  Joan and Bea attended the budget committee meeting. The proposed library budget was noted and accepted.
6.    Two slots for library trustee are opening up for the 3-year term in March.
7.     A mini grant is offered by the New London Rotary Club. Meg suggested the Grant could be used towards the purchase of a series called “Colonial Craftsman”.  It was noted that the elementary school uses this series during their Colonial Fair. A motion was made and accepted.
8.    Next meeting is on March 3rd at 6:00pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:15pm

Respectfully submitted,
Erica Gross, Secretary

Select Board Minutes 02.04.09

February 5, 2010

TOWN OF BRADFORD
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
FEBRUARY 4, 2010
10:30AM

Tape was blank.

M. R. Cilley,
Secretary

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