Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
August 26, 2019
Meeting called to order at 7:00pm
Roll Call- John Pfeifle, Michael James, Jason Allen, Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator and Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer were in attendance
Pledge of Allegiance
Appearances:
- Michele Halsted, of the Rural Heritage Connection, provided a summary about recognition received from the State level for the Rail Trail improvements completed in Bradford. Michele thanked the supporters for their work and donations and asked the Board to support a Town pledge made by the previous Road Agent to donate fill and labor to help level some low spots on the trail. Steve Hall, Road Agent, stated the material was available and estimated the work would take a day of labor.
Motion: John Pfeifle motioned to have the Highway Department provide fill material and labor to support the Rail Trail efforts.
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- Ann Eldridge and Doug Southard, of the Bradford Conservation Commission, spoke with the Board about private maintenance concerns on Class VI roads. They outlined rutted road conditions on Alder Plains Road and environmental impacts on Old Mountain Road as examples where having Fire Lane designations, private maintenance standards and/or permit approval processes would improve conditions. The Board asked that further research be done to review existing Zoning and Town Ordinances as well as a review of processes in other Towns. Michael asked that the Commission identify which roads they would recommend designating as Fire Lanes. Doug provided a sample of a multi-use road sign and recommended placing similar signs on Class VI roads to remind users of the various activities that utilize the roadways. The Board also discussed a pending follow up that is being scheduled with Fish and Game regarding the conditions on Old Mountain Road.
Public Input:
- There was no public input.
Regular Business:
- Minutes from the August 12th, 2019 meeting were reviewed and accepted.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to approve the minutes.
Second: John Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- Account Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- Karen read into record a letter of appreciation from Dawn Rich.
- She also read a letter into record from Corporal Andrew Beck thanking Lt. Ed Shaughnessy for his instruction and support during a recent tactical training event.
- Jason will draft a letter of thanks to Tyler’s Lawn Care for their work on sweeping the sidewalks.
- Steve Hall spoke with the Selectmen about the pending repair work on the Pleasant View culvert. A quote has been accepted for the work but the original cost estimate is increasing because of State required permitting. Steve discussed additional work that is needed on Gillingham Drive, West Meadow Road and East Shore Drive.
- Steve also has new No Parking roads signs to be placed on Main Street and Karen will verify whether there are any process concerns regarding notifications needed when placing new signs.
- The Board briefly discussed the Bement Bridge project. There are temporary easement documents that are still being finalized, once received the project will be sent to the State for approval. Construction is likely to happen in 2020.
- The Board revisited a request to place a yield sign at the intersection of West Meadow and Fairgrounds Road. Chief Valiquet recommended the Town implement a Highway Safety Committee to manage this type of concern. He also recommended placing a directional advisory sign that provides a warning for the traffic flow at this intersection.
Motion: Michael James motioned to have a directional advisory sign installed that outlines the West Meadow – Fairgrounds Road intersection.
Second: John Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- The Board discussed the pending mold remediation work at the Highway Shed. Three quotes were received and Steve Hall would like to move forward with the New England Remediation company.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to move forward with the New England Remediation quote.
Second: John Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- Steve also let the Board know that the well at the Highway Shed is not working and he is having someone determine why.
- Steve also recapped the previous weeks Road and Bridge Committee meeting. The group discussed various construction techniques and had received a quote to replace the sub-layer of Marshall Hill with an oil injection process which Steve would like to pursue. Michael asked for the total cost of the project including the sub-layer and final paving. Steve will forward the Board the quotes received. He will also investigate what other companies utilize the same sub-layer construction practices that he is proposing to use.
- Steve also outlined upcoming gravel expenses, estimated at $25,000, as the on-hand material is pretty well depleted.
- The Board discussed what Capital Improvement projects they would submit to the CIP. The Board will submit the Town Hall @ $100,000; Masonic Hall structural study @ $5,000 to $7,500; Replacement server and work stations $10,000; BACC furnace replacement $10,000 and an amount for office security which Karen will identify from previous year quotes.
- The Board discussed the work on Town Hall. The mason is scheduled to begin work on September 4th and anticipates the work will take approximately two weeks to complete. Trumbull-Nelson will be working on miscellaneous repairs and will coordinate site work activity with Nate Kimball. The septic design approval is still pending. Karen will follow up with Bob Stewart. Painting quotes are being gathered. Karen will follow up with the folks who quoted insulating the basement ceiling to verify the quotes are still valid and email the Selectmen copies. Karen provided the Board with an updated financial schedule showing the committed expenses against the available funding.
- The Board discussed merging the Fire Department and Masonic Hall lots. Ann Eldridge cautioned that a merger may limit future use. The Board will investigate her concerns.
- Karen asked for approval to move forward with a TDS proposal to change service which will result in a lower rate but locks the Town into using TDS for 36 months. The Selectmen approved the TDS proposal.
- Karen provided a change in scope notification regarding the ongoing PSNH legal case which is going to increase by $6,000 for 2019.
- The Board discussed Central New Hampshire Regional Planning’s recommendation to formalize the Economic Development Committee. The next meeting will be help September 5th at 6:00pm and the agenda will include establishing an outline for action plans for the next year.
- The Board will add a discussion regarding Hometown Hero Banners to a future agenda.
- The Board discussed continuing with a bi-weekly schedule. All Selectmen were in favor of continuing bi-weekly and call additional meetings, if necessary, in the future.
- The Board signed a lease for the BACC with Freyler’s Driving School.
- The Board signed a Personal Action Form for the Highway Department.
- Tax abatements for three campers, Map 11/Lot 76, Site 15, 20 and 33, were approved.
- The Selectmen signed Intent to Cut requests for Map 10/Lot 33 and Lot 42 as well as Map 11/Lot 56.
Motion: John Pfeifle motioned to adjourn to non-public session at 9:00pm per RSA 91-A:3II(a) personnel.
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Michael James motioned to adjourn to public session at 10:39pm.
Second: John Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned that the minutes of the non-public session be sealed as the reputation of a person other than a member of the board would be adversely affected.
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: John Pfeifle motioned to adjourn the meeting at 10:40 pm.
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Monday September 9, 2019 at 7:00pm, at the Bradford Community Center.
Minutes submitted by Laurie Colburn, Recording Secretary