Select Board Meeting called to order at 5:22 pm.
Roll Call: Marlene Freyler, Beth Downs, Mel Pfeifle
Motion: Mel Pfeifle moved to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (a) and (c) at 5:22 pm.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to return to public session and recess the meeting at 5:49 p.m.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Call to Order: 6:00 pm
Others present: Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator; Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary
Review Minutes of April 10, 2023
Motion: Beth Downs made a motion to accept the minutes of April 10th
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Review Minutes of April 24, 2023
Motion: Beth Downs made a motion to accept the minutes of April 24th
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Appearances:
Sandra Bravo – Energy Committee: Highway Garage Weatherization: Sandra reported that the weatherization procedure for the Highway Garage will be AeroBarrier instead of the foam method originally quoted. The price remains the same. AeroBarrier is a non-toxic, water-based acrylic sealant sprayed into a structure that finds and seals all air leaks. The Board would like Michael Bruss to look at the project on Wednesday, 5/10, and the Board will follow up with a meeting on Friday, 5/12.
Fire Station weatherization: Contract with Shakes to Shingles for a total cost of $24,386 with an eligible rebate of just under $12,000.
Motion: Beth Downs moved to approve the weatherization contract with Shakes to Shingles for work to be performed at the Fire Station.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Heat Pumps at the Library: Sandra’s research on the topic shows that when purchasing heat pumps, be sure that contractors are aware of an instant rebate at the time of purchase.
Community Power: Kathleen Bigford distributed a document introducing Community Power and said members of the Energy Committee will report at the May 22 meeting with ideas of a way forward using Community Power.
Chief Bryan Nowell – Fire Dept Update:
Fire and emergency medical services incidents for the year to date – 65 incidents (30 fire, 36 EMS); April – 5 fire, 6 EMS; May to date – 2 fire, 4 EMS.
Budget summary: Overall Fire/Rescue budget has about 71% remaining.
Calendar and Events: A fire prevention presentation at KRES at Bradford was held; Capital Area mutual aid meeting in Bradford on April 20 was very well attended; service of all water supply systems has been completed. For May: May 9th is the blood drive; Department training will happen throughout the month; May 15th is Masonic Hall meeting.
Other items: Firefighter recruitment is active; gear ordering will happen in July; in-house talent is being used for vehicle maintenance; Bryan is working on a grant for emergency medical devices; Health Officer training is moving forward; pump/hose/ladder testing did not happen last year and will happen this year; the Fire Department Facebook account has been active and receiving attention.
Discussion: Bryan and the Board discussed follow up on the deadline for cleanup of the Stiles property on Bible Hill. A letter from the Board to the property owner will be sent with specifics of the clean-up and deadlines. The repair of the fence and clearing of brush at the fire pond on private property off Old Warner Road can move forward. For the future, we may want to have an easement in place and a zoning ordinance should be investigated.
Chief Ed Shaughnessy – Police Department Update:
So far for 2023 there have been a total of 1416 incidents; April incidents were 299.
Budget is on target.
Radar sign on East Main Street is averaging about 400 vehicles/day with an average speed of about 25 mph. Programming and placement for the sign will be adjusted.
Communication equipment is ordered per the 2023 Warrant article.
Speed bump at the Elementary School and BNSYS fields: Board supports the re-installation of the speed bump on Old Warner Road by the ball fields. Ed will check with the Highway Department to have this done.
Sgt. Flanagan is updating business and seasonal residents contact information so folks can be contacted in case of an emergency or alarm.
Public Input: None
Regular and Old Business:
Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest for review and signature: Signed
Town Hall Update: The Town has received an Energy Efficiency Incentive Offer from Eversource in the amount of $19,426.33.
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved that the Town accept the Eversource Energy Efficiency Incentive Offer in the amount of $19,426.33.
Second: Beth Downs
Decision: 3-0
Town Hall building and office security is being discussed. The rehabilitated windows are coming back and look great. Sheet rock is proceeding. Outside excavation of the parking lot is expected to begin in next couple of weeks.
Easement for Fire Pond: Consensus that easement should be pursued. See Fire Department report above. Karen will work with the Town’s attorney.
Department Head Reporting Schedule: Police and Fire on 2nd week of the month meeting. Highway and Transfer Station on 4th week of the month meeting
Expense review: Overall, 73% of budget remains. Next month will show the COLA payments.
Electric Rates: Karen is watching electricity rates. Recently the rates have gone from $0.1077 to $0.1064. Karen will keep watching.
New Business:
Plan for 2nd Floor of Town Hall: The Board discussed ideas for a plan for finishing the second-floor auditorium functionality of the Town Hall. There was agreement that the contracted work on the building should be finished before fit up of the auditorium takes place. There will need to be an overall plan of what is needed and how it will be funded before work begins.
Bradford Area Community Center: The Board reviewed the lease with Community Action Program and agreed to renew it as is for the coming year. Other items: The State conducted a review of the building’s drinking water (done every 5 years) and noted a deficiency. It must be addressed within 30 days. The pilot lights on the gas stove in the kitchen need replacement. Walco Mechanical will donate labor; the parts will total $1,800; Karen will continue working on the building’s generator repair; there was a discussion of negotiation of the CAP lease relative to the ownership of the dishwasher.
Naughton Service Agreement: The Board will review the agreement and revisit it at the next meeting.
Exercise Class: There is a proposal for an outdoor fitness class to take place on Town property. The Board wants to make sure liability is covered. Following what other communities do, there will be no charge since it will take place in a public area. Should the class be held indoors (and a fee charged to participants), there would be a fee charged.
Town Signs: There are two old “Bradford Gateway” signs at the Transfer Station and five people interested in having them. Steve will remove them from the Transfer Station and determine their condition. Disposition of signs will be decided.
Motion: Beth Downs moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
Upcoming meeting: May 22, 2023
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Bigford