Select Board Meeting was called to order at 6:02 pm.
Roll Call: Beth Downs (Chair), Mel Pfeifle, Marlene Freyler
Also attending: Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator
Public Hearing – Unanticipated Revenue
Hearing Opened at 6:03 pm
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved that the Board accept $19,426.33 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b from NH Saves in reimbursement for energy saving measures at Town Hall. These funds will reimburse the Town Hall project for work already completed.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved that the Board accept $4,215.00 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b from the New Hampshire Department of Safety for the Police Department Search and Rescue Equipment grant.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved that the Board accept $8,714.28 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b from the State of New Hampshire for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant. This grant purchased two complete sets of protective gear.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved that the Board accept $500.00 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b from Bar Harbor Bank and Trust in support of Bradford’s Independence Day Celebration. These funds will be used to offset the 2024 expenses.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved that the Board accept $250.00 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b from the Kearsarge Area Chamber of Commerce in support of Bradford’s Independence Day Celebration. These funds will be used to offset the 2024 expenses.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved that the Board accept $200.00 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b in a private donation for the Bradford Scholarship Fund.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Close public hearing to accept unanticipated funds.
Motion: Beth Downs moved the close the hearing to accept unanticipated funds.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Hearing closed at 6:07 pm
Open Public Hearing — Special Revenue Fund
Hearing opened at 6:07 pm
Beth read the warrant article and asked for public comment.
To see if the Town will vote to adopt the provisions of RSA 31:95-c to restrict
expenditures for the purpose of purchasing new police vehicles. Effective January 1, 2024, such revenues and expenditures shall be accounted for in a special revenue fund to be known as the Police Detail Special Revenue Fund, separate from the general fund. Any surplus in said fund shall not be deemed part of the general fund accumulated surplus and shall be expended only after a vote by the legislative body to appropriate a specific amount from said fund for a specific purpose related to the purpose of the fund or source of revenue.
Motion: Beth Downs moved to recommend the establishment of the Police Detail Special Revenue Fund.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Close Public Hearing
Motion: Beth Downs moved to close the public hearing.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Public Hearing closed at 6:09 pm
Appearances:
Erica Gross, Tax Collector – Correction of Deeded Property. Erica chronicled a case of a missing property transfer. The present property owner needs a deed to secure a construction loan. The consensus of the board is that further discussion is needed and perhaps legal counsel.
Walter Royal – Building Inspector. Two building permits were signed.
Lois Kilnapp – Transfer Station. There are aluminum cans ready to move when Highway has space on a truck. Other than it’s “smooth sailing.”
Beth presented Lois with a Certificate of Appreciation for 20 years of service.
Bruce Storm, Town Moderator: Did not appear. Karen will reach out to see if he can attend the March 11 meeting.
Public Input: None
Regular and Old Business:
Town Hall Update: Fire Chief walked through with Trumbull-Nelson and gave a thumbs up. There should be a certificate of occupancy soon. There are a few minor details be attended to.
Legal Update – Fire Pond easements. Karen reported that town council has provided draft easements for the fire pond on Old Warner Road. The exact location of the water line needs to be added, which could involve a survey. The Board opted to have Dig Safe mark it out. Karen will wait until the snow melts to move forward.
2023 Expense Review. 2023 expenses are final. Just over $159,000 is being turned back, 5.6% of the 2023 budget.
Warrant Article Update –
Article 8: Historical Society. Board decided to wait to recommend/not recommend until after non-public session.
Article 33. Feasibility study for the Bradford Area Community Center for $5,000 will be a non-lapsing appropriation. Board agreed to recommend.
Article 9: The Board, Karen and members of the audience, Dawn and Bruce Gezelman, discussed Marlene’s questions about this article.
New Business:
BACC Outdoor Lights: The two parking lot lights behind the BACC need to have new disconnects installed. Karen has identified approximately $600 in a lapsing warrant article from 2019 for exterior work on the BACC as a possible funding source. The Board decided to have Karen move forward with replacing the disconnects.
Payroll change for 3/15. In order to accommodate the change in Treasurer, payroll for the week of March 10 to 16 will be run on Friday, March 15.
Utility poles on Old Warner Road and Ring Hill Road. The Town received a request for pole licenses on Old Warner and Ring Hill Roads. Karen will check with town council before the Board signs the permits.
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to adjourn the meeting to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (a) and (l) at 6:59 pm.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to return to public session at 7:16 pm.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the Board recommend Warrant Article #8 which would authorize the Board to negotiate an easement for the Historical Society.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:17 pm.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Upcoming meeting: March 11, 2024
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Bigford