TOWN OF BRADFORD
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
JANUARY 13, 2014
5:30PM
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Call To Order and Roll Call:
John Pfeifle, Acting Chair opened the meeting at 5:30pm with Sonny Harris, Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer, Cheryl Behr, Administrator and Marge Cilley, Secretary present. Harry Wright was absent.
Disposal costs for large Freon items and propane tank:
Selectmen’s decision was unanimous to charge $10.00 for all large appliances containing Freon, and $ 5.00 for all tires at the landfill.
Warrant Articles wording:
Cheryl Behr advised she has made the corrections in the Warrant Article regarding the Police Cruiser which is $8,770.00. This has to be a separate article for lease each year.
The Secretary was not provided with the correct language.
Budget Committee:
John Pfeifle advised the Budget Committee is concerned with the amount of the Warrant Articles for the upcoming Town Meeting and he has been doing some re-arranging of some methods in financing the Town Hall Restoration to get the job done with less impact on the residents. John advised that last year the request was for 1.7 million and this year about $300.000 in additional work has been added for a lesser amount of money, at $1.4, working with Bruss Construction.
This will be discussed and a decision made with a whole board being present.
It was reiterated that the Road Crew has done an exceptional job this year, spending the town’s money well, and improving the roads and doing a good job with both.
A suggestion was made that perhaps it would be beneficial to not be as aggressive as we were this past year and to postpone the $300,000 plus dollars this year for the repair and rebuilding of asphalt roads in town and come up with $150,000 for each of the two following years.
It was also stated that the Selectmen talk with the Road Agent regarding shimming and asphalt for two roads in town, (Sunset Hill Road and Pleasant View Road) at $80,000.
Among other Capital Reserve Funds discussed was to change the $95,000.00 total for the Capital Reserve Fund down to $70,000.00.
Mention was made that Petitions for Warrant Articles are due by the first Tuesday of February.
Cheryl Behr is to contact Harry Wright for a conference call on Wednesday regarding Warrant Articles, which will be posted.
Ann Eldridge, Rural Heritage Connection forwarded via e-mail some questions which Cheryl read into the minutes (e-mail is on file) It was stated that a reply be forwarded to Ann explaining because of inclement weather, there was no Selectmen’s meeting last week, but as soon as they meet, a reply will be forth coming.
The following note was received by the Administrator for a Warrant Article.
Hi Harry & Cheryl:
Yes, I actually have given this quite a bit of thought.
I think that $20,000 might be too small an amount.
I am thinking of a list of items that need to be done for planning over the ensuing year.
Roof-According to Jim Bruss, something needs to be done to the roof. There have been shingles blown off and all over the parking lot, etc. We cleaned some of these up last summer but more have come down. As you know, having the roof in bad condition is going to lead to more problems that could have been avoided.
Engineering services – we talked about having these done so that we would have a definitive answer regarding the septic and well. It would be cost effective to get that settled.
Architect – we need to pay for these services.
There could be other items that we should consider.
What I would like to do is sit down with Jim Bruss and ask what he thinks we might need.
I certainly think that this could be a selectmen’s warrant and it would be appropriate coming from the board. What is the deadline for this article?
Thanks for thinking of this.
Happy New Year-Eileen
John Pfeifle advised he feels as a Selectmen it is his responsibility to see the town hall restored into a functional governmental facility, for two reasons: 1. It is on the Historic Register and 2. We are guests in this room as we speak, here in the Community Center.
I am in favor of fixing up the town hall. If the town chooses not to support to fix it up, is it feasible to fix it up piece meal. Sonny Harris pointed out that if the town hall is not used than the town is in violation of the contract, and it would need to revert back to heirs. Much discussion ensued.
Appearances:
Dave Currier regarding Lake Massasecum Association Warrant Article:
Dave Currier advised the town did approve the herbicide treatment about five years ago on LakeMassasecum.
Dave Currier advised the milfoil eradication on LakeMassasecum is sort of a model for the State. Water level dictates when chemical can be applied, which usually is in September. An alternative to the chemical usage, which is dictated by the water level, is hand pulling with suction harvester. Mats have also been used. Fish and Game as well as DES are involved. It was discussed that the north end of the lake is where the nets were before. Dave Currier will forward E-mails that came from the State to Cheryl to forward to the Selectmen.
Cheryl Behr was requested to put the Warrant Article for the Boat Launch in front of the Milfoil Warrant Article in the amount of $10,800 to treat the lake with herbicide.
Town Hall Restoration Trust Account:
Mel Pfeifle brought in money received from:
1. The Fund Raiser in the amount of $1,100.00
2. Holiday Green Sale in the amount 1,889.00
Motion was made by John Pfeifle to accept the money and deposit it into the Town Hall Restoration Trust Account. Seconded by Sonny Harris. Motion carried 2-0.
John Pfeifle advised Wendy Hall did a fantastic job in wreath making for the occasion.
Marge Cilley reported the following, which was deposited into the Rural Heritage/Cornerstone Account for the purpose of the Town Hall Restoration Project:
Pie Sale – proceeds $250.00
St. Peter’s Lodge dinner 300.00
Yard Sale/Flea Market 160.15
John Pfeifle advised it was voted for payroll increases to be forthcoming after town Meeting in 2015, commencing April 1. Due to Health Care Costs this year, it was handled on January 1, 2014.
It was reiterated that the town highway crew has done a great job during difficult conditions.
Payroll and Accounts Payable Manifests were reviewed and signed.
Personnel action forms were reviewed and signed.
Motion was made by John Pfeifle to approve the December 20, 2013 minutes as presented.
Sonny Harris seconded. Motion carried 2-0.
Meeting adjourned 6:50pm
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary