Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
September 11, 2017
Pledge of Allegiance
Meeting called to order at 5:30PM
Roll Call- John Pfeifle, Chairman; Sonny Harris, Selectman; Jim Bibbo, Selectman and Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator were in attendance
Appearances:
- Town Hall Update- Jay Barrett (Architect) presented the Board with several documents and explained that generally the building is in good condition considering the age of the building. He reviewed the structural report with the Fire Marshal and the Fire Marshal indicated we don’t need to meet the Lateral Load requirements but do need to meet the Gravity Load requirements. Jay stated that this project needs to get started sooner rather than later. With winter coming, the building needs to be lowered as soon as possible to spare it from potential further damage. The Fire Marshal will require the Town to use a qualified General Contractor however, he has agreed to allow the Town to take the steps necessary to get the building down on its foundation without a complete set of finalized drawings (those are expected to be complete sometime in November). Jay recommended that the Town conduct interviews for a general contractor immediately. Jay also indicated that there is more work that needs to be done than was initially thought and believes the project to be seriously underfunded. He added that the Bond Funding spent to date was appropriate and necessary to move the project forward. He believes there is enough Bond Funding remaining to get the building back on its foundation, enclosed and ready for winter – approximately $500,000. The preliminary estimate for the completion of the first floor work (and any second floor work needed to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy) could be as much as 1.5 million dollars. John expressed his concern with the need for substantial additional funding and would like the Town Hall Restoration Oversight Committee to develop a plan to move forward. Jay will set up interviews with general contractors and the Select Board. Harry Wright will continue to work with LCHIP regarding the grant. The Board agreed that the project needs to move forward and that the building needs to be returned to its foundation as soon as possible.
Regular Business:
- Lease for Driving School- The lease was modeled after the CAP lease with the addition of Section 5 in which the Town reserves the right to use the space (formerly used by the preschool) for elections, public meetings etc with reasonable notice. The Board indicated that the Town will be responsible for the maintenance of the room.
- Autocraft Update- There are questions as to whether or not the lien that was placed on the property will guarantee the Town payment of the legal fees it was awarded. The attorney will send an update to the Select Board in the next week.
- Hazard Mitigation Plan- tabled till next week.
- Movie License- The movie license used by the Senior Center and covering events in the BACC has been paid for by the Friends of the BACC in the past. It was recently discovered that this has not been paid yet for 2017 and the Friends were wondering if the Town might pay this year’s fee. In July, the Board agreed to add this annual fee to next year’s budget. The Board declined the request to make the 2017 payment.
- Letter from Newbury re: roads- The Town recently received a letter from the Town of Newbury outlining five segments of roads in Bradford that they have been and will continue to plow. The letter stated that they will not maintain those segments of road.
- Dept Head Attendance at CIP meeting- The Board understands that it may be helpful for the CIP Committee to have Department Heads attend their meetings. However, the Chair made it very clear that it is not within the CIP Committee’s authority to direct the Town employees in their jobs and require them to attend meetings. Town employees report to the Select Board, not the CIP Committee.
- Propane tank at Police Station- Karen explained that according to the new propane provider, the propane tank that supplies the Police generator will need to be moved. The cost to do this is approximately $400. Karen pointed out that it would take over 4000 gallons of propane for the Town to break even and see a savings at the lower bidder’s propane rate. The Board agreed that the propane tank at the police station should continue to be filled by the current supplier.
- The Board signed Treasurer Request for Town Hall Bond Funds.
- The Board signed a Junkyard Permit Renewal.
- The Board signed a Land Use Change Tax Form.
- The Town received an email from the Fantasias indicating they had been to court regarding the title dispute on their property. They expect a judgement within 30 days.
- Budget: Jim feels that development of the budget should be driven by the Select Board with Department Heads coming before the Select Board to present their budget requests and the Select Board presenting their budget to the Budget Committee. The Budget Committee would be encouraged to attend the meetings with Department Heads.
- Historical Society: The Board received a letter from Steve Chase indicating that the Historical Society did not want to follow the recommendation of the Selectmen with regard to the brush cleanup and beautification of the lower part of the Naughton property. The Chair was disappointed in the Historical Society’s letter and will review it again and respond to Steve in a couple of days.
- Upcoming meetings- Motion to go back to weekly meetings, vote 3-0 in favor.
- Town Line- Karen will request a meeting with the Warner Selectmen regarding moving the Town line.
Minutes of August 21, 2017 meeting were reviewed and accepted
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2017 (special meeting) at 2:00pm at the Bradford Community Center
Next regular meeting will be held on Monday, September 18, 2017 at the Bradford Community Center.
Meeting adjourned at 7:29PM.
Minutes submitted by Karen Hambleton/Molly Hopkins