TOWN OF BRADFORD
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
JANUARY 27, 2014
5:30PM
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Harry Wright, Chair called the meeting to order at 5:31pm with Sonny Harris, John Pfeifle, Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer, Cheryl Behr, Administrator and Marge Cilley, Secretary present.
APPEARANCES:
Fire and Rescue Departments:
Mark Goldberg, Fire Chief stated that he has found a Fire truck company that would finance a Fire Truck for 2.79% interest. John Pfeifle advised the Budget Committee is not happy with the way Article Eleven is written. The Budget Committee would prefer to wait and spend the money in a traditional manner. Also pointed out that if they do wait then additional equipment will be needed in the future, requiring too much cash too soon. Mark Goldberg advised that most of the Fire Department equipment has been acquired by lease/purchase. The Selectmen have recommended, the Budget Committee did not recommend. The Selectmen unanimously agreed to not re-consider.
Rescue Squad:
Laurie Brown advised volunteers are having trouble making calls.
Tom French, Chief, Henniker Rescue attended the meeting and advised they have been helping Bradford out for about two years, and comes whenever called. They have been staffed 7:00am to 5:00pm daily and night shifts are manned 24/5., as well as having dedicated staff on weekends. Tom advised they are still covering a fair amount of calls for Bradford. They are handling around one thousand calls a year, partly because of going out of town so much. Laurie Brown advised they have an average of 180 calls per year.
Part of recovery for Henniker would be the Insurance from clients, plus a payment of about $70,000.00 to help defray equipment cost. Tom French reiterated this is an estimate and would have to be determined by both boards.
The CIP suggests a new ambulance be purchased in 2015 and cost is estimated at $250,000 for turn key equipment per Tom French
It was stated by Laurie Brown that the town of Newbury uses about a third of the town of Bradford’s total EMS calls, and Newbury puts $3,000 annually into the Ambulance Capital Reserve Fund to help defray this cost. It was also stated that when this was originally set up, the cost of an ambulance was around $100,000.00.
John Pfeifle reiterated that the cost is of course an important concern, however, most important is that we have the service for the people.
Fast Squad was also discussed, which means they come first but do not transport.
Much discussion ensued including many what-if’s.
Tom French suggested the Selectmen from each town could come up with a proposal that works both ways, but other towns proposals have been set up as a three year rolling average. First year based on budgets followed by actual operating costs.
Motion was made by John Pfeifle that they do a specific this week, and:
1. Ask Henniker to commit to taking Bradford on if passed at town meeting. Bradford Selectmen will do the math and present at the next Selectmen’s meeting on February 3, 2014 what the estimated cost would be: a) showing the costs as being done today, b) another estimate of what the cost would be by going with Henniker, c) the way we are today plus additional service from the town of Bradford. Also include Fast Squad with and without a vehicle in the equation. Motion was seconded by Sony Harris. Motion carried unanimously.
Tom French, Henniker Rescue was thanked for coming to this meeting tonight.
THRC
Eileen Kelly relayed to the Selectmen the wording of Warrant Article Five as voted on by the Town Hall Restoration Committee. John Pfeifle advised he had been in contact with the Town Attorney for the correct wording, as well as discussion with Jim Bruss today discussing what/how the work would progress.
A Bond Hearing is scheduled on February 4, 2014 with another one on February 25, 2014 if warranted.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
A Thank You note from the Historical Society to the Highway Department was received and acknowledged.
Lois Kilnapp has reported that the compactor is now emptied every three weeks as opposed as every two weeks.
An assessing contract was reviewed and signed.
The seating plan for Town Meeting was discussed and will be checked into further to accommodate as many voters as possible .
Article Seventeen: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Sixty Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($60,200.00) to fund the following Capital Reserve Funds.
4. Highway Department Heavy Equipment – currently listed as $30,000.00
Dick Keller suggested raising this by $10,000.00 additional for a grand total of Article Seventeen at ($70,200.00)
The Budget Committee will have Warrant Articles Five, Fifteen and Seventeen to review on Wednesday, January 29, 2014.
Article Five. The Selectmen will talk with the Town Attorney again regarding wording and clarity on this Article.
Article Fifteen, stands and the Selectmen will support another Article next year for the same amount regarding the Milfoil Treatment in LakeMassasecum.
Article Seventeen:
The Selectmen agreed to leave this Article as written.
HarryWright, Chair suggested a separate Article for Town Buildings to repair the roof of the town hall (Operating Budget) for $95,000 plus $30,000 for a new roof if needed.
This would be Article Number Seven.
Motion was made by John Pfeifle to raise the amount in Article 17, No. 4-Highway Heavy Equipment to $40,000.00. and to leave number 1-Fire Department Heavy Equipment at $100.00. Motion seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
It was stated the Budget Committee will receive the Final Warrant Items for their Wednesday, January 29th meeting.
Generator Grant:
The Selectmen signed and initialed the Generator Grant they approved on December 9, 2013.
Mention was made of the need to repair some things at the town hall, namely:
Furnace, front door lock.
Question was made as to who is reserving the date for the fireworks and how much will be spent. John Pfeifle advised he knows of someone who will take care of this, and have him get in touch with Cheryl.
There is a meeting scheduled tomorrow afternoon with fire, police and emergency management regarding EOC requirements.
Payroll Manifests:
Payroll and Accounts Payable Manifests were reviewed and signed.
Review and Consideration of January 13th , 2014 Minutes:
Motion was made by John Pfeifle to approve the January 13th minutes as presented.
Seconded by Sonny Harris. Harry Wright abstained. Motion carried 2-0
Motion was made by Sonny Harris to approve the January 14th Conference Call as presented. Motion seconded by John Pfeifle. Motion carried unanimously.
Assessing Contracts were signed.
Respectfully submitted-Marjorie R. Cilley, Secretary