TOWN OF BRADFORD
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
JUNE 25, 2012
5:30PM
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Harry Wright, Chair called the meeting to order with Sonny Harris, Barry Wheeler, Cheryl Behr, Administrator, Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer and Marge Cilley, Secretary present.
Review and Consideration of June 18, 2012 minutes:
Harry Wright, Chair advised the word intervened he had used in the discussion between Mr. and Mrs. Keller and Mr. Martin would sound better to use the words met with.
Motion was made by Sonny Harris to approve the June 18th minutes with the edit. Seconded by Barry Wheeler. Motion carried 3-0.
APPEARANCES
Tony Salera Re: Stop Sign:
Tony Salera came before the Selectmen regarding the stop sign that was missing at the end of West Main Street. Mr. Salera advised it has been there about fifteen years, and it is one of the most dangerous intersections in Bradford. No one respects the sign when it was up, people go through at a high rate of speed, on the wrong side of the street. It was explained that it was removed because of the concern for the bridge where trucks have to stop and start up right on the bridge. Discussion ensued.
In reply to a question from Mr. Salera, Cheryl Behr advised a traffic study had been done, maybe ten years ago, and she will find it for reference. It was stated that perhaps more police visibility would be very helpful. It was stated also that it is a thickly settled area with families and children as well as a bus stop there. Also, lines with crosswalks should be painted on the road was suggested by Bill Thompson. Tony Salera invited anyone to come onto his property and watch what happens at that intersection.
Richard Paul also spoke regarding this being a very dangerous intersection and needs to be addressed.
Motion was made by Sonny Harris to put the stop sign back, post with a load weight limit, while the study, which was done by Provan and Lorber, has been looked at, as well as white lines being drawn and Police presence requested at that intersection. Seconded by Barry Wheeler. Motion carried 3-0.
Marlene Freyler
Marlene Freyler reported on the fire works for the July 4th Celebration being held on July 7, 2012 which will be done on the former Naughton property off East Main Street. Between Route 114 and Main Street, on Route 103 people will not be able to see them. From Brown Shattuck Field they will be visible. Signs will be put up as well as being explained on the radio for the next two Friday’s, as well as all community calendars explaining where they can be seen from.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
WMUR Interview:
Harry Wright, Chair stated that he was interviewed today with regard to the Town Hall by WMUR news which will be aired on the 6:00pm news tonight.
Highway Department Weekly Report:
Mention was made of the weekly Highway work accomplishments for the week as well as anticipation of projects for the upcoming week. (Attached at the end of the minutes)
Letter from Scholarship Recipient:
A thank you letter was read by Cheryl Behr, from Lucas Christopher Hahn, recipient of the five hundred dollars ($500.00) scholarship from the Town of Bradford. (Letter on file) The Selectmen congratulated Lucas.
Letter from Jane Johnsen:
The following letter was read into the minutes by Cheryl Behr:
22 June 2012
Board of Selectmen
Bradford, NH. 03221
Mr. Chairman:
This resolve for the road agent, in Bradford, sets a dangerous precedent for future selectmen. This vote also puts the people’s money into the pockets of our Town Fathers and is not ethical or compatible with local government.
Mr. Wheeler either must step down as selectman and take the job as an overseer with full time employment with the pay of an overseer. That pay scale would certainly be less than the road agent since it would exceed his pay scale. OR hire someone else as overseer and Mr. Wheeler keep his elected office as Selectman.
I would ask that this letter be read into the minutes in its entirety and some kind of response in writing from the Selectmen.
Sincerely
Jane Johnsen
44 Rowe Mt. Road
Bradford, NH 03221
Lois Kilnapp advised she sees many people coming into the Transfer Station who say Barry Wheeler is doing a great job and it is too bad people are picking on him. Lois also advised the town would be in a crisis right now if they did not have someone as knowledgeable as Barry, and the town is in a smooth transition thanks to Barry. On a busy day, there could be four hundred people come into the Transfer Station, and many of them are very appreciative of the great work Barry is doing.
Perry Teele advised that as far as he knows, and the Selectmen can verify it, Mr. Wheeler is not the Road Agent; he is filling in as Road Agent. We have extenuating circumstances going on right now. We do not have a Road Agent. We could hire one, then it could come crashing down with major changes. Personally, from what I’ve seen, we got a good job for the lowest possible money we could get. He’s doing a good job, it’s temporary, lets just leave it alone. (This was followed by a large round of applause)
Cemetery Trustee information re: Smith Cemetery:
Cheryl Behr read the following letter from Tom Riley, Cemetery Trustee:
“Enclosed find a copy of the deed to the town of a private burial ground.
After consultation with Terry Knowles, the Assistant Director of Charitable Trusts for the Department of Justice, she informed us that this constitutes a private burial ground and can be used only as such.
Therefore, for your information, I am hereby notifying the Board of Selectmen of the State decision that the Smith Cemetery is to be added to our list of cemeteries as a private cemetery. If we want to use it, we will have to petition the Probate Court to remove the restriction.”
This dates back to 1854. Perry Teele advised under no circumstances should the town take a deed for a private cemetery ever again. This lot will show on the tax map.
Accounts payable and payroll manifests were reviewed and signed.
Abatements were reviewed and signed.
The Building permit review was not ready.
A Timber Tax waiver request was discussed and the decision was to allow thirty more days.
Motion was made by Sonny Harris to extend the waiver for another thirty days. Seconded by Barry Wheeler. Motion carried 3-0.
It was stated that upon receiving filters for the mower and they are installed, the highway department will commence mowing.
Intents to cut were signed for Steve and Diane Douglass Map 11, Lot 25.
Kincaid, Map 10, Lot 10, – Map 7, Lot 70, – Map 6, Lot 114 – , Map 7, Lot 72 which was received as an intent is being held until a map is received.
Lois Kilnapp, Transfer Station:
Lois Kilnapp questioned if she could dispense with the charges when receiving the following: $10.00 for refrigerators, microwave and any appliance using Freon. $3.00 charged for small propane tank, and $10.00 for large. Green Recycling picks up these items free, and she would like to pass this savings on to the tax payers. This person is properly licensed and feels this to be on-going. Consensus of the Selectmen is to approve this request. Lois will forward all the paperwork to Cheryl.
Lois Kilnapp advised she is also working on a Used Oil Grant, and is requesting seven hundred and fifty dollars ($750.00) of the twenty five hundred dollars ($2500.00) be allotted for cleaning the furnace and used as justification for the Grant. The furnace does need to be serviced each year. Lois advised the furnace needs to be serviced and paid for, then the town would get reimbursed. The Selectmen concurred.
Lois Kilnapp also thanked the Selectmen for revising her Job Description, however, the only thing that she is not pleased with is she prefers to open her own mail, and advised all departments should open their own mail. Why is it necessary for all mail to be opened in the Selectmen’s office? Cheryl Behr questioned if all the mail coming into the office gets opened then put into respective boxes what is the problem to which Lois advised, how does one know they are getting everything that is in that sealed envelope?
Cheryl Behr advised if she can catch them when they come in, she will not open them, if they get opened, I cannot promise whoever is opening the mail that day will not open them.
Dick Keller questioned how much does it cost for the annual furnace service to which Cheryl Behr advised she will have to get that information for Lois to help with the Grant information.
Harriet Douglas questioned Barry Wheeler what is happening on Fairgrounds Road as it is very dusty. Barry advised they have put calcium chloride down, and after the rain it should help. It was suggested that in extremely bad areas, perhaps a little more would help. It was also stated that the work that has been done on the road has not slowed traffic down.
Discussion ensued regarding the Fire Alarm at the Town Hall as questioned by the Town Hall Restoration Committee. Installing wireless would be a waste of money was stated. ADT would act the same as a telephone line. The cost of two phone lines would be eleven hundred dollars ($1,100.00) annually and one telephone and one radio would cost $715 annually. A person would be willing to come and talk with the Town Hall Restoration Committee and it was suggested that Mark Goldberg be invited to sit in.
There will be an “ad” in the Bradford Bridge for a Health Officer for Bradford, and a Letter of Interest is all that would be required. Training will be available.
Motion was made to go into non-public session by Sonny Harris at 6:40pm. per RSA 91A:3IIa. Seconded by Barry Wheeler.
Harry Wright, Chair – Yes Sonny Harris- Yes Barry Wheeler – Yes.
Motion carried 3-0.
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”.