Selectmen’s Minutes 03.23.20

Meeting called to order at 6:09pm

Roll Call – Jason Allen (Chair), Michael James and Marlene Freyler (by phone) were in attendance.

Motion: Jason Allen motioned to adjourn to Non-public session per RSA 91:A3II (a) at 6:10pm.

Second: Michael James

Decision: 3-0 in favor

Motion: Jason Allen motioned to return to Public Session at 7:00pm

Second: Michael James

Decision: 3-0 in favor

Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, joined the meeting.

Pledge of Allegiance

Appearances: 

  1. No appearances

Regular Business: 

  • Minutes from the March 16th, 2020 meeting were reviewed.

Motion: Jason Allen motioned to approve the minutes of March 16th, 2020.

Second: Marlene Freyler

Decision: 3-0 in favor.

  • Account Payable and the Payroll Manifests were signed.
  • The Board discussed upcoming meetings and perhaps the use of Zoom as a collaboration tool. Jason has drafted a Rules & Procedure document which will be sent to the other Board members for discussion at the next meeting. They also discussed their upcoming meeting schedule. They will meet every other week with the next meeting scheduled for April 6th, 2020.
  • A new meeting agenda format was agreed upon, for use by the Board.
  • A Road Bond policy was discussed by the Board. Jason would like to speak with Steve about the policy and process. Michael asked whether the Town should adopt Warner’s policy. Jason suggested Karen have Steve talk with the Warner Road Agent to understand how they manage bond activity and draft a document by April 2nd for discussion at the April 6th meeting. The recommendation may need to determine a seasonal bond for local resources.
  • Karen spoke with the Town’s attorney regarding the lack of response to Zoning violations at 340 Fairgrounds Road. Counsel recommended working through the District court, and upon agreement of the Board, he will draft a letter for the Board’s review. The Board agreed to pursue the District Court option and a draft letter will be available for the next meeting.
  • The Board had planned to speak with NFI during this meeting. They had wanted to include the Police Department who were unavailable and will reschedule the meeting as appropriate. Jason asked that the Police Department attend the next Select Board meeting to provide input on their interactions with NFI.
  • Jason updated the other Board members on a discussion he had with Walter Royal, Code Enforcement Officer, regarding fulfilling a role to inspect and advise the Board on building maintenance and project evaluations. Walter is interested in taking on the responsibilities. Jason suggested that a separate job description be developed. Marlene asked about Bruce Edwards and whether this role would do minor repair work. Karen questioned whether walkthrough inspections that she does would fall under this new role. The Board included $5,000 in the General Budget for wages and would utilize the Unanticipated Revenue, as well as the Building Capital Repair account, to help fund some repairs. This role would be the resource that would evaluate and recommend a scope of work and handle bid responses. Marlene expressed a concern as to whether Walter would be able to meet the demands of the position. Michael voiced that perhaps the Board should solicit interest for a resource but after further discussion agreed it was most effective to have Walter assume the additional role. Marlene agreed. Jason will draft a job description for the next meeting agenda. Jason will have a follow up discussion with Walter.
  • The Board signed documents for the Tax Anticipation Note.
  • A Current Use release for Map 6 Lot 96-1was signed.
  • A $200 donation for the Scholarship fund was received.

Motion: Jason Allen motioned to accept a $200 donation for the Scholarship fund.

Second: Michael James.

Decision: 3-0 in favor.

  • Karen asked the Board how they would like to handle the absence of essential personal in the event they needed to be quarantined. The Board will continue to compensate an employee who is instructed not to report to work. The Select Board discussed other logistics and how Town business would continue in the current environment.

Public Input:

  • There was no public input.

Motion: Jason Allen motioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91:A3II (a) at 7:51pm.

Second: Michael James

Decision: 3-0 in favor

The Board agreed to accept the Town Administrator’s request to reconsider her resignation.

Motion: Jason Allen motioned to return to Public Session at 8:59pm

Second: Michael James

Decision: 3-0 in favor

The Board agreed to meet on March 30th at 7:00 pm to handle routine paperwork and conduct two non-public meetings.

Motion: Jason Allen motioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91:A3II (a) at 9:05pm.

Second: Michael James

Decision: 3-0 in favor

Motion: Jason Allen motioned to return to Public Session at 9:32pm

Second: Michael James

Decision: 3-0 in favor

Motion: Jason Allen motioned at adjourn at 9:33pm.

Second: Michael James

Decision: 3-0 in favor

The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on March 30, 2020 at 7:00pm, at the Bradford Community Center.

Minutes submitted by Laurie Colburn, Recording Secretary