TOWN OF BRADFORD
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
MAY 22, 2012
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, Barry Wheeler, Cheryl Behr, Administrator, Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer and Marge Cilley Secretary present.
Review and Consideration of May 15, 2012 minutes:
Motion was made by Harry Wright, Chair to approve the May 15, 2012 minutes as presented. Seconded by Sonny Harris. Motion carried 3-0.
Rick Monahon Contract – Town Hall Restoration:
Rick Monahon, Architect had talked with the Town Attorney, and after a minor adjustment, an amended contract was signed by the Selectmen tonight.
Appearances:
Tom Riley gave a Cemetery Equipment Inventory List from 2011 to the Selectmen. On the list are two riding lawn mowers, one of which has problems and needs to be replaced. The remainder of the equipment on the list is considered to be good for parts only and an offer has been made for $150.00, which Tom advised he would be happy with.
Motion was made by Sonny Harris to accept the $150.00 for the cemetery equipment, seconded by Barry Wheeler. Motion carried 3-0.
Accounts Payable:
The payroll and accounts payable were reviewed and signed.
An Intent to Cut was signed for Map 17, Lot 8.
A tax adjustment was signed regarding an overpayment that had been misapplied.
A check for $8,100.00 payable to the town was mentioned from the cutting of lumber on Lowe Forest. The state does not pay timber tax; the logger pays it in advance. Since there was no bill for it, it went into the general fund and will now be re-deposited by the Town Clerk, to be deposited with the bill.
Cheryl Behr advised it appears there were several elderly and Veteran’s exemptions that were dropped off the tax bills. Several people have come in, and it is being corrected.
Town Hall electricity is still on in the town hall. The hook-up for the police when they were temporarily outside in the mobile unit costs $13.00 per month, and the Selectmen agreed to terminate this service. The monthly payment for the town hall is also $13.00 per month. Perry Teel stated we need to be very careful about closing up the building completely, and the restoration process may need the electric. Mark Goldberg, Fire Chief advised they could shut the main breakers off only which the Selectmen agreed to do.
The generator at the town hall was questioned by Officer Shaughnessy and Cheryl Behr advised it has been disconnected and needs to go to the new Police Station.
Motion was made by Harry Wright to permit the use of the town hall for the Independence Day Art Show this year. Seconded by Sonny Harris. Motion carried 3-0.
Cheryl Behr advised the Selectmen do have a copy of the recent budget expenses which she would like them to look them over before the Budget Committee meets Thursday night. The Budget Committee meeting has been canceled for this Thursday.
Discussion ensued regarding a Health Officer. Barry Wheeler has been asked to review a septic system. This position needs to be posted.
Cheryl advised she had forwarded some paperwork that came in from Cross Country Appraisals as well as some info from the attorney regarding a possible PSNH tax appeal on the value of the poles in Bradford. The new tax laws have allowed the appraised value of the poles from One million eight hundred thirty eight thousand nine hundred twenty one dollars ($1,838,921.00) to Four million fifty eight thousand six hundred dollars ($4,058,300.00). If this is a successful repeal, that would result in a tax loss to the town of Bradford in the amount of Forty four thousand one hundred sixty six dollars ($44,166.00). Perhaps the town would like to get together with other towns to fight the appeal.
The Engineering study for the Breezy Hill Bridge is available at this time. This will be discussed at the next Selectmen’s meeting.
The Flags for the Memorial Day weekend will be put on the poles on Main Street and Perry Teele has volunteered to do it as well as find some help. (As of 8:30am Wednesday, they were in the process of accomplishing this).
Question and discussion regarding how many were employed in the highway department. There are two people at this time per Harry Wright, Chair who also stated that Barry Wheeler is now the overseer of the Highway Department at this time. A part time position will be advertised this week per Cheryl Behr, Administrator.
Marcia Keller raised the issue that every time the Selectmen go into Non-Public session, the Selectmen representative never makes the Planning Board meetings, and wondered if they could change their meeting nights.
Motion was made by Sonny Harris to change the Selectmen’s meeting nights to Mondays. Harry Wright, Chair seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
This will start on June 4, 2012 and will still be at 5:30pm.
Meeting adjourned to go into non public session per RSA 91A:3IIa and RSA 91A:3IId at 6:10pm.
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley, Secretary
For an audio file (mp3) of the recording to this meeting, please visit http://bradfordnh.org/mp3/ where they are named according to the date and the organization. Please note that, due to space issues, any recordings may be purged from the website without notice. Files can be saved to your hard drive, by right-clicking the link to the file (from the index list) and using “Save Link As” or “Save File As”.