BACC Governance Board
Meeting Minutes
May 10, 2011 4:30 pm
Present: Kate Dobrowski, Bruce Edwards, Debbie Flinkstrom, Karen Hambleton, Margaret Raymond, Jim Valiquet (arrived at 4:55)
Absent: Ona Ruchti
Visitors: Carol Conforti-Adams, Robert Manchester, Sue McKevitt, Harry Wright
Chair Bruce Edwards opened the meeting at 4:36 pm.
MINUTES: The minutes from the April 12th meeting were approved with one correction. Under the section regarding the Selectboard questions, question #2, the paragraph now reads:
Question 2 – Has the Governance Board voted to ask Carol Adams to apply for a grant with the NH Charitable Foundation? Answer – Carol researched the grant at the request of the Governance Board. The Governance Board is not prepared to embark on the grant application process at this time.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Bruce Edwards indicated he would prefer not to serve as Chair, Jim Valiquet has volunteered. Election of officers was tabled until Jim arrived.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Kate handed out her Director’s report. Highlights include the shades in the Preschool room that need replacing. It is on the Selectboard agenda. Air conditioning for the Senior Room came up. The Women’s Club and Quilters are interested in donating funds for an air conditioner. There was a discussion about what kind of conditioner would serve the room best. The Governance Board gave the OK to have the Farmer’s Market go ahead and have a special market on July 2nd during the Town-wide celebration Independence Day celebration. The deck off the preschool room needs maintenance – there are nails coming up in the decking and a couple of balusters need replacing. This led to a discussion about other maintenance issues including the peeling paint on the windows and trim. Also, the status of the roof leak was questioned.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: Ellen Brownson has resigned from the committee. She will funnel reports of VNA activities through the Seniors.
SENIORS: On April 13th, three cars of Seniors visited the Vermont Country Store. After a great visit there, they stopped at Burdick’s Candy store. The Needle and Thread group continue to meet on Tuesdays. A beautiful table cover made by the group is on display on the table in the back hall of the building. Later in April, the Seniors headed to Lowell’s National Historic Park. There was more see and do there than was time. About 15 people attended “The King’s Speech” when it was shown at the Community Center.
KAP: Karen confirmed Kate’s report in that the window shades were in need of replacement. On three of the five shades in the room, the nylon cords that pull the blinds up and down have frayed and broken. She is not sure how old the shades are but guessed that the direct sunlight that hits the windows daily has weakened the cords over the years.
PARKS AND REC: Margaret noted that the French’s Park clean up will take place on Saturday May 21st from 9:00 to whenever the job is complete. Also, baton twirling classes start on the 11th.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: New officers were elected. Jim Valiquet: chair, Bruce Edwards: co-chair, Karen Hambleton: secretary. Members are Ona Ruchti, Margaret Raymond, Debbie Flinkstrom and Will Hurley.
Jim noted that the Bike Rodeo will take place at the Elementary School on Saturday from 10 to noon. This is an opportunity for children to have their bikes checked for safety and run through an obstacle course.
ELECTION OF NEW MEMBERS: Bob Manchester has indicated his interest in serving on the Board. Laura Hallahan has also indicated an interest to Jim (though she was not in attendance). The Board voted Bob onto the Board. The Board would like to fill the Health and Human Services vacancy.
CAP LEASE: A meeting between the Town and CAP has been set up to discuss the terms of next year’s lease. CAP wants to deal with the Town, not the Governance Board. It currently is $6720/year and has never been increased. The Town also wishes to remove the automatic renewal portion of the lease. Jim and Bob will request to be included in the lease conversation with CAP.
Bruce shared a letter he received from the Town indicating their desire to turn over all BACC operational responsibility to the Governance Board by July 1, 2011.
Jim brought forth the idea that was discussed in the work session of May 3rd. According to RSA 35B, the day-to-day operation of the Community Center can be handled by a commission appointed by the Selectboard. The commission would have the authority to create fees, make rules about how the building is used, acquire and dispose of property, write contracts, employ staff and grant concessions. As an organization of the Town, the Commission would be accountable to the town through the Selectboard. The Local Government Center recommended this course of action. Bob Manchester put forth the following motion:
The Bradford Parks and Recreation Commission shall be a seven person board appointed by the Bradford Board of Selectmen, initially for staggered terms, and subsequently for three year terms. The members of the Vacancies as they occur shall be filled by nomination from the Commission and approval by the appointing authority the Board of Selectmen for the unexpired term.
The question was moved and the Board unanimously voted in favor. Jim will request to be put on the agenda for the next Selectboard meeting.
Next meeting : June 14th 4:30pm
Next work session : May 24th 4:30
The meeting adjourned at 630.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Hambleton