Select Board Meeting called to order at 6:01 pm.
Roll Call: Beth Downs (Chair), Mel Pfeifle, Marlene Freyler
Also attending: Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator; Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary
Review Minutes of July 24, 2023
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to accept the July 24, 2023 minutes as written
Second: Beth Downs
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Appearances:
Tracey Moore, appeared virtually to inquire about property she is considering on Alder Plains Road. Beth referred her to the Class VI Road policy on the Bradford web site and to the Planning Board for more definitive answers to her questions. Karen and Tracey have been in touch by email.
Jeff Earls – Assessor, appeared to discuss the Tax abatement for Map 11, Lot 64. Tax abatement was signed. On another matter, the Board asked him to be in touch in December for a decision on when it would be best to do a town-wide revaluation.
Erica Gross – Tax Collector, presented three deed waivers. One of the waivers is for an owner making monthly payments with the agreement that the Town will move to deed if one month’s payment is missed. All three waivers were signed.
Marilyn Goldberg – Treasurer, appeared to discuss the Positive Pay option through Bar Harbor Bank to add security for payments made by the Town. The cost is approximately $500 to have Tyler Technologies write specific software code and a fee of $50/month. The Board agreed that Marilyn shall investigate the process more thoroughly. Marilyn will also investigate online banking and will report back at the next meeting.
Kris Foss – Masonic Building Committee, appeared to discuss the proposal to have an assessment for asbestos on the premises and to determine the dimensions and capacity of the septic system. The cost for these two assessments is approximately $1400. Kris proposed that $2000 be set aside. Beth and Marlene felt strongly that there should be a definitive option for the building before funds are allocated to the project. Karen suggested that Kris get a worst-case estimate, discuss it with the Capital Improvement Program, and come back to the Select Board. The Board and Kris agreed on this plan.
Ed Shaughnessy – Police Department Update
Service Calls and Arrests: There were 360 service calls and 3 arrests in July. Year-to-date there have been 2,645 service calls and 30 arrests. This puts the number of calls and arrests over where the Department ended last year.
Budget: The Department has approximately 47% of its 2023 budget remaining with 40% of the year remaining.
Body cameras: Overall reaction to the use of body cameras has been positive. They have proven useful for self-evaluations, supervisory with officers, prosecution, and court reporting.
Highway safety mandate: Bradford will participate in a statewide mobilization mandate for officers to be out on certain dates checking for drinking while driving.
New Cruiser: There is a hold-up with the two-person cage.
The Police and Fire Department have several upcoming events: Special Olympics and joint fundraising events.
Bryan Nowell – Fire Department Update
Fire and EMS incidents: Year to date 119 incidents. July and August (to date) totals: 21 EMS and 9 fire incidents.
Budget: As of July 31st, 55% of the Fire Department budget remains and 77 % of the Rescue budget remains.
The Rescue department will be increasing its provider status from Basic Life Safety to Advanced Life Safety.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Grant: A grant in the amount of $8,714.28 was awarded and is earmarked for gear. The Town must match 5%, $436.
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to accept $8,714.28 from the FEMA grant with the Town matching approximately $436.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: Approved, 3-0
Lois Kilnapp – Transfer Station, appeared to discuss access to the Transfer Station. It was decided in collaboration with the Highway Department that the last person out would lock the gate(s). Authorized personnel have keys.
The “Application for Permit-by Notification for Limited Public Solid Waste Transfer Station/Recycling Facility” was signed.
Steve Hall – Road Agent
In preparation for meetings with the Capital Improvement Program Committee, Steve is recommending that gravel be purchased at $35K/year rather than crushing gravel in town. He is working on estimates for four locations: Deer Valley Road pipe replacement, West Main Street at the Fire Station, West Road at Box Corner culvert replacement, and Shore Drive culvert enlargement.
Steve requested that Maureen Brandon be approved as an authorized signer on the Highway Department credit card with Bar Harbor Bank to facilitate dealings with the credit card company.
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to approve Maureen Brandon, Bookkeeper, as an authorized agent on the Highway Department credit card at Bar Harbor Bank.
Second: Beth Downs
Decision: Approved, 3-0
Grader: The Dresser grader (in need of destruction) has a bid of $3,000. Needs to be rendered permanently disabled by August 20.
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved that the Dresser grader be sold for $3,000.
Second: Beth Downs
Decision: Approved, 3-0
The Board agreed to put the John Deere grader out for bid and assess the outcome later.
Public Input: None
Regular and Old Business:
Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest for review and signature: Done
Town Hall Update: Tree work is done. Cisterns are in. Excavation is happening this week. Inside service windows for Select Board and Town Clerk are being installed. Second floor forum was held. The elevator is being installed. Tin ceiling is in the process of being ordered.
Follow-up on Board Goals: Mel: Masonic Building – Report is earlier in this meeting. Marlene: Working on getting people involved in town projects. Beth: Will have a draft of a credit card policy for the next meeting. Karen: Town Hall second floor, see item below.
Henniker Rescue Contract update: Proposal is going to the Henniker Select Board on August 15, 2023.
New Business:
Building Permit Approval Process: Mel would like to have Select Board approval of building permits. Marlene agrees. The goal is to have the Board better informed on the building activity in town and accountability of Building Inspector.
Motion: Beth Downs moved to arrange for the Select Board to sign building permits before signed by Building Inspector.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: Agreed, 3-0
Follow up on 2nd Floor Town Hall Meeting:
Karen reported that the meeting had fewer participants than the Masonic Building Forum. There is a diverse core group with specific tasks. Her idea is to pull people in as the project progresses. Beth would like to head the committee because she is aware of the fundraising involved. Karen suggested the following members: Beth Downs, Karen Hambleton, Scott McCaskill, Kris Foss.
CIP Projects:
Karen listed the following for consideration: Revamp of bradfordnh.org , $25K; replacing the funds for the Center Road Bridge, $80K; Town Hall Furniture, estimates to come; Town Hall Generator, Bryan is looking at grants; Paving the Town Hall parking lot, estimates to come.
Center Meetinghouse Mowing: This has been done by a volunteer. Karen will move forward with approaching the volunteer to see if they will continue.
Fuel Bids: Karen has fuel prices for the coming year. The Board gave permission to Karen to lock in.
Review Raffle Permit – Center Meeting House event had a date change. The date change was noted on the permit.
The following were signed: Personnel Action Form; Driveway Permit Map 4 Lot 21; Gravel Tax Warrant Map 7 Lot 26.
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the meeting be adjourned.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: All agreed, 3-0
Meeting adjourned: 9:17 pm
Respectfully Submitted, Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary
Upcoming meetings: August 28, 2023
September 11, 2023