TOWN OF BRADFORD
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
AUGUST 31, 2010
5:30PM
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Peter Fenton, Chair opened the meeting at 5:30pm with Jack Meaney, Harry Wright, Cheryl Behr, Administrator, Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer and Marge Cilley, Secretary present.
Peter Fenton, Chair advised a letter has been received from the Town of Washington thanking Officer Ed Shaughnessy in helping with their school evacuation drill. He worked very well with the children, and they greatly appreciated it.
Appearances:
Robert Manchester
Robert Manchester came before the Selectmen regarding the Community Center and advised he has talked with the Budget Committee. Originally, the Community Center was to cost the town nothing, however, it is now costing $65,000. A number of issues need to be considered, one of them being CAP which we pay $9,000 a year for managerial fees, and get back from them in rent, approximately $6,500. This money received includes the office work, the Sr. Center Director, usage of the large room upstairs. Meals on wheels are run out of the Community Center kitchen, and the clients from Bradford seem to be the least clients. The longest run is 30 miles away. We do not get any compensation from any of the other towns that are serviced by this program. The relationship with CAP needs to be looked into.
If the Police Station could be moved to the building, it would probably take up all but two offices in that building. The bonding issue has been looked into. The Friends of the BACC is an advisory group as opposed to a supervisory group, and this topic would be discussed with them.
Another issue connected with this proposal is the pre-school.
Robert Manchester’s request is for the Selectmen to appoint a committee to look into this whole issue. There could be a substantial savings to the town.
Chief Valiquet advised this is a surprise to him as he has not seen any information on it, and his comment would be that as the community ages, perhaps more room for senior events and programs will be needed, and it would be unfortunate in ten years to have to say we wish the Community Center was back. Also, having the Police Dept. underneath a Day Care would be a big concern for liability as well as the safety of the children.
Peter Fenton, Chair questioned Mr. Manchester if the idea is to put the Police Department in the basement and leave the upstairs operating as the Community Center to which he answered yes.
Peter Fenton, Chair asked Mr. Manchester if he would serve on a committee regarding the moving of the Police Station to the Community Center and he agreed to.
Jon Marden asked if the money in the Reserve Fund for the Police Building would be available to retrofit the Community Center for the Police Dept. It was thought this could be available.
Robert Manchester stated that what the Community Center was intended for and what it is actually used for are two different things, it is very lightly used now. There was no summer camp this year and the Farmer’s Market has only four vendors, with no other program. Bradford is servicing other towns and not being compensated for it. Bradford’s tax rate and cost needs to be looked at. The thought is to proceed and not wait for Grant information.
The decision was made that a committee of five should be set up to check further into the Community Center with a plan to represent the community, with Robert Manchester as head of the committee. The Selectmen will get a committee together, and advised if anyone is interested to contact Cheryl Behr, Administrator.
It was stated that the requirement of the Grant that there be a list of what and when different programs are being scheduled and used at the Community Center, and at this time, there appears to be none. Cheryl Behr, Administrator will contact Kate Dobrowski, Director to request this information.
Denise Renk:
Denise Renk approached the Selectmen to see if they could use the upstairs of the town hall to hold Zumba classes for an hour on Thursday evenings. Gina Gluvna, who is the instructor is certified and does carry insurance. The Selectmen suggested a fee of $25.00 per evening, and if there is a problem they can be contacted. A question was asked if handicapped access was a problem, and it was stated that if they were capable of doing the classes, they could get up stairs as it is fairly strenuous. It was decided that they should give Cheryl Behr, Administrator a start date as well as the time.
Ken Anderson:
Ken Anderson came before the Selectmen regarding repaving the approach to the dump from Route 114 to the top of the hill. The estimate for this is $6,500 which would be the 3″ asphalt cost, (100 ton) and the highway crew would do the work. There is a large rock in the road that will be removed. Jeff Remillard, Road Agent advised he has broken down the job into three sections. There is a $7,000 Line Item in the Land Fill Budget listed under repairs and maintenance of building, which could be used for this purpose per Cheryl Behr, Administrator. Peter Fenton, Chair advised the Selectmen would check into the repaving, and would get back to him in a couple of weeks.
Conversations ensued regarding town equipment versus rental equipment used by the highway department. Peter Fenton, Chair addressed the situation by advising the town put out advertising for anyone in town who has any equipment for rent that the highway department might need, and there was no response.
Dick Keller questioned if the road to the dump is a town road? If it is a public road, then it should not be closed, and the money could not be taken out of the Transfer Station Budget.
Peter Fenton, Chair advised it has been a number of years since there has been an actual road crew in this town. This crew is a very organized crew, and they do a good job. They have carried it a step beyond what previous crews have done and are doing jobs that previous crews did not.
Mike Kearns advised Massasecum Ave. is not good right now as sand has washed down the hill. Peter Fenton, Chair advised if the road needs attention they should call the Road Crew or the Selectmen and bring it to their attention. Jeff Remillard, Road Agent advised Massasecum Avenue has been graded at least twice this summer. Jeff Remillard, Road Agent will check out Massasecum Avenue tomorrow. Jeff also advised a lot of culverts are being replaced in town.
Jeff Remillard, Road Agent advised East Main Street has been completed today.
Chris Dunkley:
Chris Dunkley is representing Naomi Payne, and what she would like to do is get a permanent driveway permit on Craig Road. Mr. Dunkley stated that he had met with Jeff Remillard, Road Agent to see what it would need, and he is here tonight to see what they should do. Jack Meaney explained that it was to be a temporary driveway for six months, and it has been well over that. It was also explained that someday that road will revert back to a Class VI road. There also may be issues with DES. It was determined it would be more then a mile long. Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised that the road would need to be accessible for fire apparatus. It was determined they need to set up an appointment with the Planning Board. A 120 day temporary use of the road commenced last week.
Dan Kraft questioned the backhoe, and it was stated that it could be brought up again at the next town meeting. There is no plan at present to repair the one that the highway department has, and it has extensive problems with it. It was stated that the cost to repair the backhoe was estimated at $18,000 and then if it were traded in, would only be worth $15,000.
Jeff Remillard, Road Agent advised the only thing he can foresee doing on 63 Water Street is to take the banking back on the curve and flatten it out by the road to give better visibility.
Tom Greenley, NFI questioned the Selectmen if their proposal for payment in lieu of taxes was approved to which the Selectmen advised there is a letter going out to them stating the request has been denied.
Regular Business:
Accounts payable and payroll manifests were reviewed and signed.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator reported on messages from Lance Harbour, Hazard Mitigation, regarding Lake Massasecum water shed and Bridge issue. In attendance were: Grace Levergood, NHDES, Michael Croteau and John Blackburn, SEA, Mark Mitch, New England College, who has done a lot of survey work. It was determined that it wasn’t just the bridges, but the water shed is involved. It was stated that the 103 bridge will be addressed first. Lance Harbour, HSEM was also present, and advised there is a workshop on September 3, 2010 to show how to use the E-Grants program, and Cheryl Behr, Administrator will be attending.
Energy Audits were discussed, and Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised if you want to apply for certain grants you need certain information. Michael Bruss gave a price for an Energy Audit and Cheryl had checked around and found his estimate to be average. Peter Fenton, Chair questioned if the money is there and Cheryl responded that at this time of year, $150,000-$200,000 can be identified in surplus. Harry Wright suggested all the figures and background work that is gathered now will assist towards Grant applications, and the price seems reasonable, so the town should find a way to do the audit. The Energy Audit will also evaluate the use of fuel for each of the highway trucks as well as the other highway equipment and there is grant money available to retrofit or replace equipment.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton to proceed with the Energy Audit with Bruss Construction. Harry Wright seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator reported on the Town Hall Renovation Committee meeting held on August 26, 2010, with Michael Bruss, and advised they will meet tomorrow night. He will look at the plans that were done by Wendall Phillips under a Moose Plate Grant to recommend to us how we can divide the plan up into smaller parcels, enabling us to do a small part at a time, without duplicating any of the work.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised the tax maps have been updated by Cartographics.
Andrew Pinard advised he can put the PDF files from Cartographics on the Website at no cost. This will allow the public to at least see the shape of their property. It would cost $1300 as a set up fee with an annual charge of $1800. to do the tax cards which is not in the budget this year. Peter Fenton, Chair advised we need to make a decision on the Web Site before putting the tax maps on.
Discussion ensued regarding the joint Selectmen’s meeting, no definite decision made at this time.
The Boston Cane has been found, and the next person to receive it should be Edythe Craig. There are replacement canes available for around $50.00 and Cheryl will purchase a new one.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton to adjourn to a Non-Public meeting under RSA 91A:3 II personnel matters.
Decision was that Jeff Remillard, Road Agent has successfully completed his six month probationary period.
Some letters were signed.
Out of Non Public meeting at 8:30pm
Meeting adjourned 8:30pm
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary