Meeting called to order at 7:00pm
Roll Call – Jason Allen (Chair), Michael James, Marlene Freyler and Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, were in attendance.
Pledge of Allegiance
Appearances:
- Andrew Pinard presented a sound and video solution proposal for the meeting room at the Bradford Area Community Center. Michael proposed getting two other bids to ensure compliance with the Purchasing Policy. Andrew asked what the Town would use as specifications as they normally are paid to provide solution requirements. The Board feels it would be appropriate to get additional pricing and Michael will follow up for review at the next meeting.
- Tracey Quigley, of the Bradford Historical Society, presented the Board with an update on the Society’s continued effort to create an historic village area on East Main Street. The Society is working on restoring an old corn crib as well as an old Pleasant View cottage. Future initiatives include a bandstand, interconnecting paths between historical buildings and parking. The Historical Society does not have any custodial ownership for the site and, while there is no issue today, they would like to discuss what options could be pursued to enter into some type of custodial agreement. The Board discussed reviewing options with the Town’s legal representation and Tracey will follow up to see if she can find another Town who has a similar situation. It was suggested that she speak with New London’s Historical association. Karen asked that the Historical Society draft a preferred solution.
- Ann Eldridge provided an update on the Conservation Commission’s acceptance of the Langley property off West Road behind Low State Forest. The Commission accepted the donation of approximately 43 acres. Brackett Scheffy has drafted a deed which he would like to recommend Town Council review, prior to recording the deed. The Board discussed whether a title search should be conducted and will discuss this with Town Council.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned approve the Conservation Commissions acceptance of the property donation of Map 9 Lots 20 and 22.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- Elizabeth Labbe was scheduled to discuss the Community Action Program opening for meal services. She was not present.
- Steve Hall, Town Road Agent, provided a Highway Department Update. Steve shared pricing for solar powered crossing signs for the school with the Board. These will be pursued as a COVID related expenses due to distancing the classes. The department received a request for input for the State 10-year DOT plan. Pricing for guard rail repairs of $4,100, for an accident at Fairgrounds and West Meadow Roads, has been submitted as an insurance claim. Steve raised a concern that the guard rails on Center Road need to be replaced for safety reasons. He provided the Board with a quote to replace the wooden posts. He also provided quotes from two, of the four vendors contacted, for paving at locations that have had culvert and bridge work done as well as Water Street where pavement had been torn up for repairs. An updated quote for sidewalk replacement on West Main Street was also received. He asked that the Board provide approval for any work that is being pursued in 2020 as soon as possible due to the availability of resources. The Board reviewed the quotes received. Steve needs to follow up with Eversource, regarding movement of the pole at the intersection of Fairgrounds Road and Water Street, but does want to address the drainage issues on Cochran Hill this year even if the entire project is not completed. The Board will revisit the quotes at the next meeting. Steve provided an update that the mowing service has now pushed Bradford’s work out until October. He also noted that one of the Town’s newer trucks, a 2008, is incurring high repair costs. He is going to propose that the Town replace this truck in 2021 with a used truck and purchase a new grader in 2022. This was communicated to the CIP Committee. Steve would also like to purchase a wing for the new plow at a cost of $5,000. The Board discussed funding options and will use the $3,100 balance from the new plow Warrant Article in 2019, then fund the balance from the general Highway budget. The Board also discussed reviewing the 10-year DOT plan. Steve will follow up with a recommendation for paving.
- Jeff LeBlanc, Fire Chief, provided a Fire Department update. The Department has responded to 29 calls in the last month, which Chief LeBlanc detailed. He provided an update on training and discussed inspections as well as responsibility (AHJ) for inspections at the Town Hall. He reviewed the budget and shared concerns with Engine Two, a 1994 truck, which has failed a pump test. Options to repair, or replace, the apparatus and vehicle were discussed. It has been allocated as a reserve vehicle at this time. Replacement of the pump is estimated to cost between $20,000 and $70,000. The truck is slated to be replaced in future years of the Capital Improvement Plan but the Chief feels this may need to be addressed sooner. He provided some scenarios that he will forward to the Board for consideration.
Regular and Old Business:
- Review Minutes of the August 24th and September 8th meetings
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to approve the minutes of August 24th and September 8th, 2020.
Second: Jason Allen
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- Accounts payables and the payroll manifest were reviewed and signed.
- A fuel bid update will be provided at the next meeting.
- Town Hall Update – Painting is scheduled to be completed Thursday, September 17th. Jason met with Jay Barrett, Town Hall Architect, Walter Royal and Karen regarding the construction of a record storage room at the Town Hall. Walter will put together a bid document.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to accept a $500 gift card donation from Edmund’s Hardware for paint for the Town Hall.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- Karen provided an update on a complaint regarding an odor from 11 Davis Road. The Police Department will speak with the property owner.
- The Board reviewed revenues and expenses. No issues were identified although the budget is tight.
- The Board reviewed the 2021 budget timeline. Karen will send the Department Heads a heads up that the process will start in in October. Michael proposed exploring a migration to Google Docs solution as an option to have a more collaborative environment to collect and transfer data between Committee and Board members as well as managing Town emails. This will be discussed at the next meeting.
New Business:
- Payroll Tax deferral discussion was deferred.
- SB-2 discussion was deferred.
- A discussion regarding a three to five person Select Board was deferred for a future meeting agenda.
- $170 in donations towards Town signs were received.
Motion: Jason Allen accept $170 for Town signs.
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- Karen requested the Board grant her the ability to sign the GOFERR Grant Application, which is for COVID related reimbursement, and is due September 15th, 2020.
Motion: Michael James motioned to designate Karen Hambleton with the authority to sign the completed the GOFERR Grant application for reimbursement for COVID related expenses.
Second: Jason Allen
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- The Board signed a Junkyard Permit renewal for Breezy Hill.
- The Board signed a Solar Exemption as recommended by the Assessor.
- The Board signed a PSNH Abatement Recommendation as required by legal settlement.
- A Notice of Discontinuance for a small part of Center Road was signed.
- An Intent to Cut was signed for Map 3 Lot 15.
Public Input:
There was no public input.
The Board took a recess 8:43 PM
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to adjourn to non-public session, per RSA 91-A:3:II (c) at 8:47 pm
Second: Michael James
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to return to public session at 8:59 pm
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to adjourn to non-public session, per RSA 91-A:3:II (c) at 8:59 pm
Second: Michael James
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to return to public session at 9:10 pm
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to adjourn to non-public session, per RSA 91-A:3:II (c) at 9:10 pm
Second: Michael James
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to return to public session at 9:32 pm
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to adjourn to non-public session, per RSA 91-A:3:II (c) at 9:32 pm
Second: Michael James
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to return to public session at 9:49 pm
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned at adjourn at 9:49pm.
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Monday September 21st, 2020 at 7:00pm, at the Bradford Community Center.
Minutes submitted by Laurie Colburn, Recording Secretary