TOWN OF BRADFORD
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Town Warrant of Town Meeting March 12, 2013
The Polls will open at 8:00 am to 7:00 pm on March 12, 2013
To the inhabitants of the Town of Bradford in the County of Merrimack in said State qualified to vote in town affairs;
You are hereby notified to meet at the Kearsarge Regional Elementary School Bradford on Old Warner Road in said Bradford, NH on Tuesday, the twelfth of March next, at eight o’clock in the morning to act on the following articles:
Article One. To choose all necessary Town officials for the ensuing year.
Selectmen James V. Bibbo III 86
Marlene Freyler 100
Charles F. Goodale 41
John D. Pfeifle 21
Harold H. Wright 200 Elected
Supervisor of the Checklist
Jacqueline Pehrson 417 Elected
Trustee of the Trust Funds
Dawn Pettiglio 397 Elected
Trustee of the Brown Memorial Library
Nola Jordan 392 Elected
Garry Kalajian 367 Elected
Scholarship Committee
Nancy McEachern 409 Elected
Budget Committee
George A.Cilley 347 Elected
Donald Jackson 373 Elected
Planning Board (1 Year)
Mark Keith 402 Elected
Planning Board (3 Years)
Marcia Keller 348 Elected
Nicole Dubaere 6
Erich Caron 6 Elected
(Moderator, Brackett Scheffy, did a coin toss to decide whether Dubaere or Caron would be elected)
Zoning Board
George A. Cilley 338 Elected
Brooks McCandlish 365 Elected
Cemetery Commission
James Lalla 408 Elected
Article Two. By Petition. To see if the Town will vote to modify article III section G of the Bradford Zoning Ordinance by altering the minimum setbacks of junk yards from state highways, so that the last sentence of that section reads as follows: “Motor vehicle junk yards must conform to state regulation RSA Chapter 236, 1981, sections 111-129, except that the applicable setback from the right–of-way lines of a non-interstate Class I, Class II, or Class III-A highway shall be 450 feet. (Planning Board made no recommendation) By Petition 253 YES 190 NO
There was also a school Ballot. The Bradford Results were as follows:
Question 1. To see if the school district will vote to raise and appropriate the Municipal Budget Committee’s recommended amount of $ 37,278,065 for the support of schools, for the payment of salaries for the school district officials and agents, and for the payment for the statutory obligations of the District. The School Board recommends $37,316,069. This article does not include appropriations voted in other warrant articles. This warrant article asks the voters to raise and appropriate for the support of schools, the salaries of school district officials and agents, and for the statutory obligations of said district, and to authorize the application against said appropriation of such sums as are estimated to be received from the State sources, together with other income, the school board to certify to the Selectmen of each of the Towns of Bradford, New London, Newbury, Springfield, Sutton, Warner, and Wilmot, the amount to be raised by taxation by said towns. (School Board approves 8-0) (Municipal Budget Committee approves 7-0)
A. $37,316,069 for the proposed operating budget recommended by the School Board
B. $37,278,065 for the proposed operating budget recommended by the Municipal Budget Committee
C. $37,278,065 for the proposed operating budget, an increase of $50,000 (MBC proposed operating budget, as amended at the 1st session)
A.161 B. 227 C. 48
Question 2. To see if the school district will vote to approve the cost item included in the Collective Bargaining Agreement reached between the Kearsarge Regional School Board and the Kearsarge Regional Education Association which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits
Year 2013 -14 Estimated Increase $455,791
230 YES 204 NO
Question 3. To see if the school district will vote to approve the cost item included in the collective bargaining agreement reached between the school district and the Para Educators at Kearsarge (PEAK) which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing levels.
Year 2013 -14 Estimated Increase $72,159
And further to raise and appropriate the sum of $72,159 for the upcoming 2013 – 2014 fiscal year, such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits over those of the appropriation at current staffing levels paid in the prior fiscal year. (School Board recommends 8-0) (Municipal Budget Committee recommends 7-0) 225 YES 210 NO
Race for School Moderator (1 Year) Brackett Scheffy 417 Votes
Election officials present at the March 12th, 2013 Town Election were Brackett Scheffy, Moderator, Fred Hubley, Assistant Moderator, Harold Wright, Sonny Harris, John Pfeifle, Selectmen, Erica Gross, Town Clerk, Melissa Cloutier, Deputy Town Clerk, Ruth Marden, Judith Marshall, Jacqueline Pehrson, Supervisors of the Checklist, Robert Toppi, Marge Cilley, Linda Niven, Jane Lucas, Phyllis Wilcox, Carolyn Verity, Harriet Douglass, Margaret Ainsle, Miriam D’Angona, Christopher Small, Steve Pierce, Thomas Marshall and Mary Keegan Dayton, Ballot Clerks, Eileen Kelly, Mary Keegan Dayton, Beth Rodd, Robert Toppi, Marilyn Gordon, Carey Rodd, Sarah Hirsch, Geoffrey Hirsch, Steven Patten, Paul Gross, Christopher Small, Tandy Hartford, Sandy Paul, Thomas Marshall, Julie Leonard, Jane Johnsen, Susan Smith, Marlene Freyler, Harold Wright, Steve Pierce, Ruth Marden, Counters.
Article Three. At the close of polls the meeting was adjourned until Wednesday, March 13th, 2013 at 7:00 pm at Kearsarge Regional Elementary School Bradford on the Old Warner Road. Raising the money and remaining articles in the Warrant will be taken up at the adjourned meeting.
The count ended at 10:15 pm. The Results were announced and emailed. The meeting reconvened at Kearsarge Regional Elementary School on Old Warner Road. A total of 309 voters attended.
Please note: Due to the numerous amount of speakers, these notes have been abridged. A detailed audio account of Town Meeting is available on CD at the Town Administrators office and online.
Brackett Scheffy opened the meeting at 7:08pm with the Pledge of Allegiance done by Bob Selig. Brackett stated that this was the 227th town meeting for the Town of Bradford. The rules for procedure are based on Roberts Rules. Brackett also explained that due to the fact that the first two articles are bond issues they must be voted on with paper ballots and voting will be left open for 1 hour on each. The other difference with bond issues is that if someone moves for reconsideration of that bond article and the motion passes, then we have to adjourn the meeting for at least 7 days before we can take it up again.
Article Four. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate One Million Seven Hundred Sixty Seven Thousand Dollars ($1,767,000.00) (gross budget) to renovate the Bradford Town Hall at map 16 lot 92 and to authorize the issuance of not more than One Million Seven Hundred Sixty Seven Thousand Dollars ($1,767,000.00) of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA Chapter 33) and to authorize the Selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon, the term and other details. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (2/3 ballot vote required) (passage of this article will not impact the tax rate until 2014)
Eileen Kelly spoke for the Town Hall Restoration Committee. They have held three town forums to solicit ideas and input from the townspeople. With direction from the townspeople, the committee decided to complete the project completely and not to do it in phases. A generator has been added to the plan. The plan includes preservation of the basic outline, structure, and historical and architectural features of the building. New additions to the building, in two locations, creating a total of 2,021sq. ft. of additional interior space. New systems include electrical, mechanical, well, septic, fire suppression and alarm system. New and expanded 1st floor offices, meeting rooms, lavatories, storage and stairwells, installation of handicap lift, retrofit windows, new parking lot, kitchen, and catering area. A construction manager, Joe Campbell of North Branch Construction was hired which will allow us to use local sub-contractors and researchers. Jim Bruss contributed invaluable information for free. Eileen went over the working finance figures researched by the committee showing different rates at 15 year based on $150,000 value, interest rate would be 2.25% a tax impact of $.63 per 1000, 20 year rate based on $150,000 value goes to $.53, and 30 year based on $150,000 value goes to $.42. The restored Town Hall will be completed and ready to reopen late fall/winter of 2013.
David Drasba of Richard Monahon Architects narrated a power point presentation showing the floor plans.
Voting on Article 4 closed at 9:35 pm. 308 ballots cast, 2/3 vote (206 votes) needed to pass this Article.
Paper ballot 195 Yes 113 No
Article Did Not Carry
Article Five. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) (gross budget) to repair and rebuild asphalt roads in Bradford and to authorize the issuance of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA Chapter 33) and to authorize the Selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon, the term and other details. The roads to be repaired include Rowe Mountain Road and Sunset Hill Road. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee does not recommend. (2/3 ballot vote required) (passage of this article will not impact the tax rate until 2014). Passage of this article shall override the 10 percent limitation imposed on this appropriation due to the non recommendation of the Budget Committee.
George Cilley motioned to amend Article 5 to read that the appropriation be Three Hundred Thousand ($300,000.00) and for the roads be listed as Pleasant View Road, Rowe Mountain Road and Sunset Hill Road.
Barry Wheeler stated that the three roads would take about two years to complete.
Voting on Article 5 closed at 10:25 pm. 228 ballots cast, 2/3 vote (136 votes) needed to pass this Article.
Paper ballot 165 Yes 63 No
Article Carried
Article Six. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Million, Eight Hundred and Five Thousand, Six Hundred Ninety Seven Dollars and Eighty Seven Cents ($1,805,698.00) for the general municipal operation. This article DOES NOT include amounts appropriated by other warrant articles. (Majority vote required). Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee Recommends.
Selectmen Budget Comm
1. Executive 127,802.00 121,488.00 carried
2. Elections and Vital Records 4,510.00 4,510.00 carried
3. Financial Administration 87,196.19 87,196.00 carried
4. Revaluations 25,082.00 25,082.00 carried
5. Legal 16,000.00 16,000.00 carried
6. Employee Benefits 262,616.74 262,617.00 carried
7. Planning 8,100.00 8,100.00 carried
8. General Government 38,863.00 38,863.00 carried
9. Cemetery 25,275.00 25,275.00 carried
10. Insurances 69,881.00 78,540.00 carried
11. Other General Gov 8,800.00 8,800.00 carried
12. Police Department 314,251.55 314,252.00 carried
13. Fire Department 61,500.00 61,500.00 carried
14. Rescue Squad 70,860.00 70,860.00 carried
15. Building Code Dept 10,000.00 10,000.00 carried
16. Emergency Management 250.00 250.00 carried
17. Highway Department 384230.00 384,230.00 carried
18. Bridge Account 500.00 500.00 carried
19. Street Lighting 4,800.00 4,800.00 carried
20. Solid Waste Collection 58,157.00 58,157.00 carried
21. Solid Waste Disposal 40,100.00 40,100.00 carried
22. Inoculations 100.00 100.00 carried
23. Welfare Administration 5,100.00 5,100.00 carried
24. Welfare Payments 32,843.00 32,843.00 carried
25. Parks and Recreation 2,000.00 2,000.00 carried
26. Library 64,610.00 64,610.00 carried
27. Patriotic Purposes 14,500.00 14,500.00 carried
28. Community Center 30,745.00 55,745.00 carried
Amendment to increase $25,000 for repairs
29. Other Conservation 800.00 800.00 carried
30. Long Term Notes 31,880.00 31,880.00 carried
31. Interest on Tan Notes 2,000.00 2,000.00 carried
Total $1,803,353.00 1,830,698.00
Article Seven. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into a Five Year lease/purchase agreement to acquire Bradford Corners Map3 Lot 103,103 – A to be used for town office space for the amount of Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($650,000.00). In addition, to vote to raise and appropriate One Hundred Thirty Eight Thousand Four Hundred Fifty Dollars ($138,450.00) for the first year payment. This payment would be funded from Thirty One Thousand Dollars ($31,000.00) in rents with the remaining One Hundred Seven Thousand Four Hundred Fifty Dollars ($107,450.00) to be raised by taxation. This lease has a non-funding clause. (By Petition) Majority vote required. Selectmen do not recommend. Budget Committee does not recommend.
Written request that this be handled by paper ballot.
Marlene Freyler made a motion to amend Article 7 to read Bradford Corners Map 3 Lot 102, 103 and 103-a to be used for the town office space for the amount of Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($650,000.00). In addition, to vote to raise and appropriate One Hundred Thirty One Thousand Four Hundred Seventeen Dollars ($131,417.00) for the first year payment. This payment would be funded from Thirty One Thousand Dollars ($31,000.00) in rents with the remaining One Hundred Thousand Four Hundred Seventeen ($100,417.00) to be raised by taxation. This lease is a non-funding clause.
Motion seconded.
Carol Conforti-Adams does not support this Article which was brought up with no public hearing has not had a chance to be brought by the Budget Committee or the Selectmen and is now adding land. Let us leave our commercial land to bring more businesses into town.
Brackett announced that Balloting on Article 5 was closing. He then called for a vote on the amendment to Article 7. Motion to amend Did Not Carry. Article 7 stands as written on warrant.
Brackett opened debate on Article 7
Sarah Hirsch wanted to know what taxes are being collected on this property? The precedent of a town taking over private property. She believes this is an immature proposal.
Marlene Freyler was asked to respond to the questions. The Police and Post Office are located in the Bradford Corners. We currently receive $1,730.00/month in rent from the Post Office and about $8,000.00 in taxes. The rent money would be going into the general fund.
Voting by paper for Article 7 closed at 10:50 pm. It was not open for an hour.
Voting on Article 7 closed. 192 ballots cast
Paper ballot 30 Yes 162 No
Article Did Not Carry
Geoffrey Hirsch made a motion to reconsider Article 4 due to the inconsistency of the voting ballots.
Motion seconded.
Motion to reconsider will be done by voice and if that is not sufficient then it will be handled by hand count.
Everett Kittredge stated a parliamentary question that a motion to reconsider should be made by a member of the other side.
Brackett Scheffy stated that this was not his interpretation of a requirement.
Many questions came forth regarding the validity of the votes cast.
Andrew Pinard asked if there was a big discrepancy with the colors/number of ballots cast.
Erica Gross stated that there were exactly 309 people attending the meeting and 308 ballots were cast and they were all the same color.
It was asked that Robert’s Rules be consulted.
Brackett Scheffy read from Robert’s Rules – a reconsideration must be moved by one who voted on the prevailing side unless voted on by ballot.
Reconsideration by voice failed. Hand count commenced.
Reconsideration 86 Yes 68 No
Article Eight. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ninety Five Thousand Dollars ($95,000.00) to renovate and move the offices of the Town of Bradford to the Bradford Corners. This will be a non lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will continue until the money is spent or December 31, 2018. This article is contingent upon the passage of Article Seven. (By Petition) Selectmen do not recommend. Budget Committee does not recommend.
Article 8 Defeated since Article 7 Did Not Carry
Article Nine. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($110,000.00) to fund the following Capital Reserve Funds:
12/31/12 balance 2013 request
1. Fire Department Heavy Equipment $110,853.97 $40,000.00
2. Ambulance 60,262.03 10,000.00
3. Revaluation 10,605.99 10,000.00
4. Highway Heavy Equipment 42,127.77 30,000.00
5. Town Buildings emergency repair 15,601.37 5,000.00
6. Town Facilities 18,392.54 5,000.00
7. Main Street Improvements/sidewalks* 41,778.97 10,000.00
*A portion of the Main St Improvement balance is committed to current sidewalks.
Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (passage represents $.50 on the tax rate).
Article Carried
Article Ten. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to enter into a four year lease/purchase agreement on a new Police Cruiser and to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy Dollars ($8,770.00) for the first year payment to purchase and outfit with equipment a new all wheel drive police cruiser. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (passage of this article represents $.04 on the tax rate)
Article Carried
Article Eleven To see if the Town will vote to establish a Capital Reserve Fund for the future funding of police cruisers and to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Thousand Dollars ($8,000.00) to fund this reserve. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee does not recommend. (passage represents $.04 on the tax rate)
Hand Count – 44 Yes 62 No
Article Did Not Carry
Article Twelve To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) to purchase a solar Highway Safety Sign with proceeds from a Highway Safety grant of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00) to offset the cost with Nine Thousand Dollars ($9,000.00) to be raised by taxation. This will be a non lapsing per RSA 32:7 VI to continue until December 31, 2018 or until the money is spent. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (passage represent $.04 on the tax rate) Hand Count – 67 Yes 47 No
Article Carried
Article Thirteen. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty Seven Thousand Dollars ($37,000.00) for the purchase and installation of a new Generator for the Bradford Fire Station. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will continue until December 31, 2018 or until the money is spent. Grants will be applied for and may reduce this amount by 50%. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (passage represents $.12 on the tax rate)
Article Carried
Article Fourteen To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Seven Thousand Dollars ($27,000.00) for a Vehicle Exhaust Removal System for the Fire House, This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and continue until the money is used or December 31, 2018. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (passage represents $.16 on the tax rate).
Article Carried
Article Fifteen. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate Fifty Three Thousand Two Hundred and Fifteen Dollars ($53,215.00) for Bridge design and replacement. This will be a non lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI to continue until the money is used or December 31, 2018. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (passage represents $.24 on the tax rate).
Article Carried
Article Sixteen. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to be placed in the Salt and Fuel Emergency Capital Reserve. Current balance in this reserve is $5,565.47. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (passage represents $.02 on the tax rate).
Article Carried
Article Seventeen. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) for the completion of resurfacing sections of Fairgrounds Rd and asphalt road repairs and shimming. The current available for this purpose is $34,071.00. This will be non lapsing per RSA 32:7, VI and continue until the project is complete or December 31, 2018. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (passage represents $.23 on the tax rate).
Article Carried
Article Eighteen. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to oversee the activities at the Boat Launch including certain safety regulations and milfoil inspection. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (passage represents $.02 on the tax rate)
Article Carried
Article Nineteen. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($2,750.00) to support the Bradford Newbury Sutton Youth Sports. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (passage represents $.01) on the tax rate.
Article Carried
Article Twenty. To see if the town will vote accept the reports of the Town Offices. To transact any other business that may legally come before the meeting.
Article Carried
Brackett Scheffy swore in the newly elected officials for the town.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:18 am March 14, 2013. For Reconsideration of the Bond Article 4 , the Town of Bradford will meet at the Kearsarge Regional Elementary School, at a date and time that is still to be determined by the Selectmen.
Bradford Board Selectmen:
Harold Wright, Chairman
Sonny Harris, Selectman
Barry Wheeler, Selectman resigned
John Pfeifle, Selectman
A true copy attest:
Official town warrant and minutes for the election of March 12, 13 and 14th, 2013.
Erica Gross, Town Clerk/Tax Collector