Select Board Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm
Roll Call – Andrew Pinard (Chair), Marlene Freyler, Mel Pfeifle and Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, were in attendance.
Appearances:
Lois Kilnapp – Transfer Station – Lois distributed a list of adjustments for future charges. She said she looked at the fees and adjusted the new rates to 100% cover the costs of handling the items at the Transfer Station. Andrew said since taxpayers are already paying taxes for the Transfer Station, he feels the prices should remain affordable for the residents. He said he thought the rationale for the increased changes was different than when Lois first approached the Board a couple of months ago. Mel suggested working on this a little more.
Sal Magistro – Sal has decided not to use the Masonic building for a bakery. It would cost $20,000 to make the kitchen compliant with State code. He does not want to invest that much in a building he doesn’t own.
Steve Hall – Highway Department – Steve gave an update on the body of the 2007 dump truck and there was discussion regarding the new truck.
Ann Eldridge – Conservation Commission – Ann said the Conservation Commission would be in support of the Town Hall as they desperately need to find a place to put meeting notes. Karen said there is some closet space available at the community center.
Ann said in 2020, Cynthia Langley wanted to donate two wetland lots to the Town. A previous Select Board wanted a title search done. Legal counsel has addressed the questions that arose from the search. Andrew asked if the lots need to be formally accepted at the Town Meeting or can they be approved at a Select Board meeting. Karen said the Select Board can accept the lots.
Motion: Andrew Pinard made a motion to approve the acquisition of the donation of two parcels of real estate and to ask Brackett Scheffy to register the deed.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Mel asked what they will do with the land. Ann said it abuts other conserved wetland.
Ann said the Commission had a zoom call with UNH and would like to apply for a grant to study the bog. Ann asked if it was okay if the Commission moved ahead with the grant.
Ann said they need letters of support for the grant. By consensus, the Board agreed they would write a letter in support of this grant.
Public Hearing – Andrew opened the public hearing regarding the Bond/Note Issue at 6:35 pm. This bond would be in the amount of $2.6 million to complete the Town Hall. This would require a 3/5 vote. Andrew explained the rationale for this bond. Andrew explained the cost savings this would have for the Town in completing this project. Marlene added that she thinks this is the time to do it to get this project done. Mel agreed.
Andrew opened up public input.
Steve Pierce said a lot of people think this is coming out of the blue.
Steve said a lot of people are skeptical as to whether Bradford will save money. He said unusual needs are typically brought up at Town Meeting. Andrew said that if people look at the recordings of previous meetings, they will see that this Select Board repeatedly express dissatisfaction and distaste for that behavior in the past.
Steve also asked if the septic system is approved. Karen said that the approved septic application expired in 2018, when the bond gets approved, that is the first thing that will be done.
Andrew said in 2014, the estimate was $1.7 million to complete the renovation. Karen said the trend is a 4% increase each year.
Andrew said they plan to offer tours of the Town Hall before Town Meeting to allow residents to see what has been done.
Steve asked if they have looked into heating costs. Mel said they have an Energy Committee in Town that will look into keeping the Town Hall energy efficient.
Susan Gildersleeve asked if the police station will be going into the Town Hall, and Andrew said no. She also asked what would go in the Community Center. Andrew said it will go back to groups that could use the space such as the Girl Scouts and Parks and Rec.
There being no more public input, Andrew closed the public hearing at 7:25 pm.
Public Input:
None
Regular and Old Business
- The Board reviewed the minutes of the January 24 meeting. Andrew had one adjustment under Budget/Expenses. He requested the last line read: While discussing the Parks & Rec budget, Andrew emphasized that he has asked that department heads be prepared to speak at Town Meeting on behalf of the key components in their budgets.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to accept the minutes.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- The Board reviewed the minutes of the February 2 meeting.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to accept the minutes.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- The Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- COVID Protocol Update –There will be no changes at this time.
- Langley Land Donation – Discussed with the conservation commission earlier in the meeting.
- Revised Land Acknowledgement (updated statement) – By consensus the Select Board lent their support to this.
- Warrant Changes
- Article 3 – They will use the language bonds and/or notes. No other changes.
- Article 5 – This will stay in place.
- Article 8 – This will be a purchase.
- Article 17 – Karen skipped over the $35,000 article to create an emergency road and bridge repair fund and wants to know if this is where the Board wants it in the warrant. – The Board agreed on this.
- Article 32 – Funding for the Fire Department Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve. The Budget Committee did not approve to recommend.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjust warrant article 32 from $200,000 to $100,000.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
New Business:
- Town Meeting – There will be two presentations at the start of the meeting. Karen asked about mask recommendation. Andrew suggested we could have a separate room for non-masked people.
- Sign Tax Map Maintenance Contract – Signed.
- Sign Abatement Recommendation Map 23 Lot 22 Sub 0 and Map 11 Lot 72 – Signed.
- Sign Abatement Recommendation Map 3 Lot 23 Sub 1 – Signed.
- Andrew read a thank you letter from Chief Valiquet for attending his retirement party.
- Karen said the Town was asked to fly the Donate Life flag in April. The Board agreed to do it again this year.
Upcoming Meetings:
- February 21, 2022
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (c) at 7:52 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to return to public session at 8:10 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Minutes submitted by Donna Long, Recording Secretary.