Select Board Meeting was called to order at 6:07 pm.
Roll Call: Beth Downs (Chair), Mel Pfeifle, Marlene Freyler
Also attending: Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator
Public Hearing – Unanticipated Revenue
Motion: Marelene Freyler moved to open the public hearing at 6:07 pm.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved that the Board accept $19,000.00 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b from the Rural Heritage Connection for construction of the ADA Accessible Entrance at Town Hall. This donation represents the total of many private donations.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved that the Board accept $1000.00 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b from the restitution payment for the misuse of the gas card.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved that the Board accept $988.00 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b from the restitution payment for the misuse of the gas card.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved that the Board accept $9,904.26 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b in State of NH Department of Safety Search and Rescue Grant Funds for Police Department Search and Rescue equipment.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Close Public Hearing
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to close the public hearing at 6:09 pm.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Review Minutes of December 11, 2023, December 14, 2023, December 18, 2023 and January 8, 2024
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to accept the December 11, 2023, December 14, 2023, December 18, 2023 and January 8, 2024 minutes as written.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Appearances:
Frank and Jill Gulczinski – Blaisdell Hill Road appeared remotely to discuss possibilities for construction of a driveway that accesses a Class VI road. The Board suggested the best path forward would be to get a plan together.
Walter Royal – Building Inspector discussed with the Board two applications about driveway placement. Both applications need more information.
Lois Kilnapp – Transfer Station All is well.
Steve Hall – Highway Department Discussed Class VI roads, specifically Carter Hill Road. Instead of accessing their property though Hillsborough, as is currently the case, the owners would like to have access to the property from Bradford. The Board stated that the owners would first need to construct a road meeting Town standards, then request that the Town residents accept the road at a Town Meeting. Consensus of the Board is that acceptance of the road is very unlikely to happen.
Steve reminded the Board there are at least three town roads that are impacted by beaver action. By consensus, the Board agreed to use the short license to enter property form.
Fence at Brown Shattuck – The 10’ opening was not large enough for a truck to enter. The opening was enlarged at the cost of $600. The Board agreed the expense should come from the Parks and Recreation budget.
Public Input: None
Regular and Old Business:
Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest for review and signature: Complete.
Town Hall Update: The Town Hall Project continues to wind down slowly. The main elevator and the small lift to the stage on the second floor were inspected and tested by the State of New Hampshire last week. Both the elevator and lift passed their inspections and were given certificates for operation. The same day, employees were given instruction on how to operate the building’s new mechanical systems. There are a few more areas requiring paint touch ups, a broken globe on one of the auditorium lights needs to be replaced, the new door hardware for the historic front doors needs to be installed as do fixtures in the bathrooms (paper towel holders etc). Lastly, a few adjustments to the security alarm system are needed.
The Select Board decided not to set a date for a reopening celebration yet.
Legal Update – easements:
Historical Society: This easement is with legal counsel.
Fire Pond: The Fire Chief suggested the easement wording needs better definition of the culvert’s precise location.
Budget Development:
Budget Review: Legal: Karen recommended adding $10,000 to the legal budget. Beth noted that there were no more budget cuts to be made. As it stands, the current budget proposal is 3% less than the 2023 budget. Consensus is that the Board is satisfied with the operating budget.
Warrant Articles: The Board discussed including the tax impact of each warrant article in the wording of the article. Consensus of the Board is that adding this information will be confusing. Board will prepare information in the event it is needed.
Discussion of Warrant Article to take down the Masonic Building. The Board would like to add a warrant article that allows the town to make clear what its desire is (retain or remove) for the Masonic building. The second article will clearly state that when the building is sold by auction as recommended by the Masonic Building Committee, the buyer will leave the space empty and flat.
Petitioned article to adopt SB2 – has been added to the warrant.
Article to implement the Community Power Program – has been added.
Article to establish easement for the Historical Society on the Naughton Property is being reviewed by town counsel.
Order of the articles – Beth suggested an order of the articles. The Board discussed and made a few small changes.
New Business:
Town Report Dedication: The Board discussed the dedication and who would write it.
Parks & Rec – bus rental: Parks and Rec is working on a curling event at the rink at Plymouth State University. They have decided to offer the program without bus transportation.
Evaluations: Consensus of the Board is that the Department Heads will evaluate their employees and bring any concerns to the Board. The Board will evaluate the Department Heads and asked that they submit their self-evaluations by the end of February, reviews with the Board will happen in March. Karen asked the Board how they would like to apportion the 3% wage increase. Consensus is 2% cost of living and 1% merit.
Cemetery Maintenance: A new cemetery maintenance contractor is needed. The Town will put the job out to bid.
BACC tenant issues: Karen has received multiple emails from the Community Action Program that the Senior Room is left a mess when used by the Girl Scouts. Karen has asked for and hasn’t received photos of the condition of the room. Girls Scouts report that they leave the room better than they find it. The Board and Karen discussed the need for the oversight and maintenance of the building to be organized for the time when the town employees move to the Town Hall.
February Meeting Schedule: The Board discussed changing the meeting schedule during February. The Board will meet February 5th and 20th.
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to adjourn the meeting to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (e) at 8:18 pm.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to return to public session at 8:35 pm.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 pm.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Upcoming meeting: February 5, 2024
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary